Drones for Hog Hunting at Night

Drones for Hog Hunting Success

In my eyes, feral hogs deserve no mercy. They destroy landscapes and compete with native wildlife for food, cover, water and space. A new proposal may allow the use of drones for hog hunting at night. Admittedly, I like the sound of it. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have a lot of applications, so allowing the use of this technology to assist with the hunting of hogs at night seems like a no-brainer.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is accepting comments on a proposal that would allow the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly called drones, to locate feral hogs at night for hunters on the ground.

Legalities of Drones & Hogs

“To use aircraft for hunting hogs currently requires our permit provisions to comply with the federal Airborne Hunting Act,” Stormy King, TPWD assistant commander of wildlife enforcement, told the Parks and Wildlife Commission. “These rules, much like a lot of things related to drones, were all written years ago before drones were a thing. So, our current regulations, when they were written, were talking about helicopters mostly.”

The Airborne Hunting Act prohibits shooting, attempting to shoot or intentionally harassing birds, fish or other animals from aircraft except for certain specified reasons including protection of wildlife, livestock and human health.

TPWD has the statutory authority to regulate the use of aircraft, including helicopters and drones, to manage wildlife in Texas. Under current state regulations, those with an aerial wildlife permit can use drones during the day to locate feral hogs for lethal control measures on the ground. Use of drones for that purpose is prohibited between 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. The proposal, if adopted by the commission, would change that.

Drones for Hog Hunting at Night in Texas

Hunting Hogs with Drones is Effective

“Along with the popularity of drones, there has also been an increase in availability and affordability of thermal imaging equipment,” King said. “These cameras are very effective in locating wildlife and other heat sources for various purposes. The combination of the drone with the thermal imagery can be very effective specifically in the management of feral hogs.”

Feral swine cause millions of dollars in damages to crops, pastures, lawns, golf courses and cemeteries in Texas each year. “Feral hogs are an extremely destructive nuisance species, causing great damage to agricultural crops and wildlife habitats across the state, and the department vigorously encourages the public to control feral hog populations in order to protect native wildlife and their habitats,” the proposal states.

While the proposal would allow the use of drones to locate feral swine, it would not allow actual hog hunting to take place from the drone. In short, if the proposal passes it will make it legal for hunters with the proper permitting to use drones to scout for feral hogs at night, then dispatch them from the ground using other methods.

Comment on Using Drones for Hog Hunting

“Staff propose changes to the regulations that would allow the use of drones to locate feral hogs, to facilitate take by gunners on the ground to occur at night under the provisions of the aerial wildlife management permit,” King said. “The amendments would also clarify that the drone operator must be in possession of the permit while conducting permitting activity.”

The public can comment on the proposal through 5 p.m. November 2, 2022. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission is expected to discuss and consider the proposal at its meeting November 2-3 in Austin, Texas.

HogStop Bait and Contraceptive for Feral Hogs

A Contraceptive for Wild Hogs

Wild hogs are bad for everyone. There has been no successful method for slowing the growth of the feral hog population in Texas. That may change. A new feral hog contraceptive, HogStop, is on the market for landowners. And for many, HogStop bait can not get here quick enough. According to recent reports, the feral hog population in Texas has swelled to over 2.6 million, a conservative estimate.

In Texas, wild pigs cause over $50 million in damages annually. This impacts rural agricultural lands as well as urban areas, parks, golf courses. Feral hogs are responsible for at least one human death in the last few years. We all pay for hog damage through the agricultural products we buy. Of course, no one should have to pay with their life. Is this new product the silver bullet we need to control feral hogs populations?

A Boar Feral Hog
HogStop contraceptive targets boar feral hogs.

Time for HogStop Bait?

A new product, which is both bait and contraceptive, called HogStop is now available. This product is for landowners that are interested in fighting back against wild pigs. The goal of the HogStop bait is to curb the growth of the ever-expanding feral hog population in Texas.

“The feral hog problem has exploded into a crisis,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, “Texas farmers and ranchers need every tool they can get their hands on to stop these hogs. With this new product, we’re one step closer to my goal of making feral hogs an endangered species in Texas.”

What is HogStop Bait Exactly?

It seems HogStop is actually a mixture of ingredients commonly found in some livestock feeds. The active ingredient/s specifically act as a male contraception on feral boar hogs. The HogStop contraceptive website suggests that feeding this bait to feral hogs will reduce their numbers on a farm or ranch.

Their research found that after consuming the contraceptive that sperm counts in boar hogs was reduced. This implies fertility is also reduced. As a result, births of baby pigs decline and feral hog populations decrease over time. It makes sense in theory, but will the HogStop feed actually work?

The company does state that HogStop is not a poison that will kill the hogs. In addition, the bait/contraceptive should be fed in hog-specific feeders that are designed to exclude other wildlife species.

Will HogStop Reduce Wild Hog Populations?

I have nothing against the HogStop contraception product, but it seems unlikely to effectively reduce hog numbers.  I don’t think a feed-delivered contraceptive will work on free-ranging hogs for a number of reasons. The HogStop website states that mono-gastric and ruminant animals such as deer, raccoons, sheep, and goats may be affected by a reduction in fertility, if HogStop bait is eaten in large quantities.

This statement is only mildly concerning if the bait is administered using the appropriate feeder. The HogStop website states, “to avoid nontarget animal effects, we recommend hog-specific feeders that work to keep out all other animal types.” How many will actually buy the “special” feeder? Those unwilling to purchase the feeder will not use the feed as consumption by deer will be a concern.

HogStop Bait Feeder
A feeder designed to feed HogStop bait and contraceptive.

Just so we’re clear, I want Texas to win the war on feral hogs. However, given what we know about wild pigs, I believe HogStop will not be effective for these reasons:

  • All landowners in an area must use it
  • Landowners must never stop using it
  • Hogs eat 3-5% of body weight daily
  • Feral hogs have large home ranges
  • Boar hogs are often solitary
  • Boar hogs often roam

It will take a concerted effort by landowners to feed wild hogs in perpetuity, which does not sound possible. Landowners may band together, but how many actually keep using the bait? I’ll bet many stop feeding HogStop bait once they believe their neighbors are feeding it? Why? It’s going to get very expensive to control hogs in an area!

Young hogs eat about 5-percent of their body weight daily. Adult hogs eat about 3-percent of their body weight daily. As an example, let’s say a sounder of a 3 sows (at 75 pounds each) and 12 shoats of mixed ages (that average 30 pound each) use a HogStop bait site daily. Let’s assume the 6 smallest pigs can’t even access the feed.  The 3 sows and 6 shoats will eat over 16 pounds of feed per day. That’s a lot of feed, a lot of money. It’s also a very conservative estimate.

Feral hogs have large home ranges. This is especially true for boar hogs. So even if an area is feeding HogStop contraceptive religiously, there is one thing more important to a boar hog than feed. A boar may abandon the bait site before the contraceptive begins to work. Furthermore, a sow can come into estrus every 18-24 days if not bred. Any boar passing through an area will no doubt do what the local guys can’t.

More on HogStop Bait and Contraceptive

HogStop is considered a 25 (b) pesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); It does not have to be registered by the Texas Department of Agriculture before use. This makes the bait widely available for use by farmers, ranchers and other landowners.

Feral hogs that have consumed fresh HogStop bait should pose no additional health risks to hunters or trappers. The hog meat can be consumed without issue since HogStop is composed of ingredients commonly found in some livestock feeds. The product is intended as a contraceptive bait for feral hogs and is not intended as a feed for any food animal.

“Contraceptive baits like HogStop work to strike a blow against the exponential growth of the feral hog population in Texas. As we fight to find other ways to eradicate these pests, these kinds of products can knock down the numbers over a period of time,” said Miller.

Time will tell.

Figure 6 Hog Trap – Easy and Effective

What’s a Figure 6 Hog Trap?

A figure 6 hog trap is a type of corral trap that is easy to build and super effective at capturing feral hogs. Like most corral traps, the trap is built using livestock panels and is primarily round in shape. The trap gets its name from the fact that the shape of the trap resembles the number 6 if you were to look at it from above.

The figure 6 results because the two ends of the circle do not match up like a corral trap with a standard swing or drop gate. Instead, one end of a livestock panels runs long and the other livestock panel folds in. The result of this hog trap design is that a funnel and a repeating door are created, which is effective and getting hogs into the trap and not letting them out.

This type of hog trap can be built with as few as 2 16-foot livestock panels, but bigger is better when it comes to hog trapping. Our recommendation is to use a minimum of at least six 16-foot panels.

Figure 6 Hog Trap

How to Make a Figure 6 Hog Trap

Constructing a corral type trap is not difficult. It will require some work, but nothing overly technical.

Corral Trap Design Video: Figure 6

Figure 6 Corral Trap Door

There are a variety of door designs when it comes to hog traps. A good door is the difference between catching a pig and not catching a pig. A well-executed figure 6 door is the difference between catching a few hogs or a whole lot of hogs.

Getting the door right is the key to the figure 6 hog trap. One of the last things done when building a figure 6 trap is finalizing the door. After connecting livestock panels to create a circular shape, the next step will be to play with the configuration so that you end up with a tail end and a door.

Figure 6 Hog Trap Door

The key is getting the last t-post before the confluence of the panels in just the right spot. In most cases, about 4-feet from the end of the inside pane gives the “door” just enough spring. It allows hogs to push their way end, but also enough spring to close the door behind them.

Top View of the Hog Trap Door

Notice how the tail-end of the top livestock panel runs long, and then the tail-end of the inside panel runs into it. It takes a little adjustment of both panels to get just the right amount of spring action.

6 Reasons to Use a Figure 6 Corral Trap

Corral traps are better than box traps for trapping feral hogs, for a several reasons. Despite the large size of a corral trap, such as a figure 6 design, they are are extremely portable. When disassembled, all the components fit easily onto a standard 16-foot trailer. In fact, you fold up these panels and haul a 2-3 in the back of a standard truck as well.

Here are 6 reasons to use a corral trap for wild pigs:

  • It captures many hogs in a single attempt, possibly an entire sounder.
  • Deer and other wildlife can get out of the trap.
  • Damage to trapped hogs is reduced because of the traps large size.
  • The size of a figure 6 trap can vary to fit the size of the job.
  • Traps can be large in size, but still very portable.
  • A couple of guys, even with little or no experience, can easily build a large figure 6 corral trap in less than a couple of hours.

Panel Size Considerations for Corral Traps

More Hog Trap Resources

Hog Hunting Laws in Texas Change

For far too long, the hog hunting regulations in Texas have been more complicated than needed. The law used to only allow landowners or their “agents” to hunt a property without the need for a hunting license, but that has recently changed. It’s now “no-hold-barred” when it comes to controlling hog numbers in the Lone Star state. Finally.

Texas Hog Hunting Changes

Starting September 1, 2019, hunters will not need a hunting license to hunt feral hogs on private property in Texas. This law removes the last remaining obstacle from controlling hog numbers since feral hogs despised by both landowners and managers of native wildlife and their habitat. The next step to control feral hogs will take more and more landowners opening their gates to hog hunters. After all, landowners (and their agents) have always been able to control hogs on their property, but the Texas hog population exploded over the same time this law was in place.

Texas Changes Hog Hunting Laws

The new law, SB 317 by Senator Bryan Hughes (Mineola), passed during the 86th Texas Legislature and exempts any person (resident or nonresident), with landowner consent, from a hunting license requirement to hunt feral hogs. It is still a violation to hunt pigs without a license if hunting without the consent of the property owner. The new law removes any reference to depredation and the exemption applies for the take of all feral hogs. This was the key change to the new hog regulations.

Pay Attention to Hog Hunting Laws

The new hog hunting law only applies to private property, and is irrelevant of whether or not it is a paid hunt, although allowing hunting access in return for financial or other consideration still requires a hunting lease license from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. A hunting license is still required on public land. Hunter education requirements also still apply.

Texas had a tremendously-wet spring this year, so feral hog numbers will be robust across the state this fall. With cooler temperatures around the corner, hopefully many hunters will take to the field and remove a large number of of these large, obnoxious, non-native mammals. It’s been estimated that at least 70% of the population needs to be removed to hold the population stable from one year to the next. If you do the math, it’s easy to see why hogs have been winning the war.

Sodium Nitrite for Controlling Feral Hogs

How effective is sodium nitrite for controlling feral hog populations? That is the questions researcher in Texas are trying to figure out right now. Wild hogs are highly destructive and and highly prolific — a recipe for increased disaster anywhere these animals are found.

Researchers know that sodium nitrite is very good at killing pigs. Once ingested, it results in a quick, humane kill. Researchers have had no problems killing (feral) test subjects, but the problem lies is not killing non-target species. The same is true of using warfarin for feral hog control.

Sodium nitrite is an indiscriminate killer in the wildlife world, which could result in unwanted wildlife casualties if not used properly. Research is being conducted in Texas as we speak that addresses many of the concerns when it comes to sodium nitrite on non-target species, but one study is looking at the possibility of ingested baits becoming available to other animals because of pigs hurling up the bait. No joke.

The study is called, “Evaluation of Vomit Characteristics in Microencapsulate Sodium Nitrite Bait Forumluations on Captive Feral Pigs.” Researchers are leaving no stone un-turned in when it comes to targeting feral hogs, but protecting non-target animals, using sodium nitrite.

Is Sodium Nitrite Effective for Controlling Feral Hogs

Sodium Nitrite Retention in Feral Hogs

Abstract: “Feral pigs are one of the most ecologically destructive species in North America and populations are expanding across the U.S. Current harvest methods fall vastly short of the required removal rate (>70%), therefore, the U.S. requires additional feral pig control methods (i.e., toxicants). Due to feral pigs’ susceptibility to nitrite poisoning, microencapsulated sodium nitrite (MESN) was selected as the active toxicant agent.

Vomiting is a documented side-effect of nitrite poisoning in pigs but the frequency of vomit and concentrations of residual MESN in vomit remain unknown. We compared 5 unique MESN formulations (2 gastric, 3 enteric) on captive feral pigs (n = 45) to identify the best performing candidate based on the occurrence of 26 vomit, time from dosage to initial vomit occurrence, and residual MESN levels in vomit.

We recorded a 97.78% mortality rate (n = 44) and 80.00% vomit rate (n = 36). Vomit was a strong indicator of lethal dosage delivery as all vomiting pigs (100.00%) resulted in a mortality. Gastric formulation 13 recorded significantly fewer vomit attempts compared to formulations 20, 23, 24 (p ≤ 0.05). Time to first vomit was significantly reduced in formulations 13 (p = 0.008) and 20 (p = 0.044), but overall there was no correlation between time to first vomit and concentrations of residual SN in vomitus (p = 0.328).

Ion chromatography tests identified a 90% reduction of available nitrite in vomitus compared to the initial dosage amount, highlighting MESN’s efficiency in producing lethality in feral pigs while minimizing environmental risk.”

Researchers Examining Sodium Nitrite on Feral Hogs

  • Grant S. Lawrence, Borderlands Research Institute, Natural Resource Management Department, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX 79830, USA
  • Justin A. Foster, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Hunt, TX 78024, USA
  • John C. Kinsey, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Hunt, TX 78024, USA
  • Ryan S. Luna, Borderlands Research Institute, Natural Resource Management Department, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX 79830, USA

Texas Weighs Warfarin for Feral Hog Control

Warfarin was recently approved for feral hog control in Texas. The chemical, which is used as a blood thinner in humans and as the active ingredient in rat poison, is also quite toxic on wild pigs. But just like other feral hog control measures, the idea is no quick fix. Many organizations have issues with warfarin, including the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA).

In fact, TWA recently released a statement concerning the use of warfarin for hogs:

TWA on Warfarin in Texas

“TWA recognizes the ecological and agricultural damage that feral hogs create across Texas. As such, TWA is a staunch proponent of effective and responsible control of feral hog populations. However, the recent announcement by the Texas Department of Agriculture approving the use of a Warfarin-based feral hog toxicant is cause for concern.

Warfarin has a highly variable lethality, often taking several days before eventual death. This creates opportunity for Warfarin to reach non-target species, including carnivores who prey on poisoned animals, carrion feeders that consume poisoned carcasses, and even humans who harvest and consume poisoned animals.

Toxicants for Feral Hogs

The proposed commercial Warfarin-based feral hog toxicant, Kaput Feral Hog Bait, carries a label requiring several practices that TWA finds concerning and impractical.

First, the “Environmental Hazards” statement on the label notes possible toxicity to fish, birds, and other wildlife. The “Bait Application” statement requires collection and disposal of spilled bait around the feeders every 1 to 4 days. Both of these statements taken in context with a bait delivery apparatus that is easily defeated by wildlife other than feral hogs lead TWA to believe there is real risk of non-target species consuming Warfarin. Likely non-target wildlife would include small mammals and birds, which could in turn be consumed by other mammal, bird, and reptilian predators or scavengers.”

Second-Hand Warfarin Consumption?

The “Surveillance and Follow-up” requirements recommend disposal of the poisoned carcasses by burial or other methods to ensure they are not accessible to scavengers. The length of time between consumption of poison by hogs and the actual death of the pig may take several days and makes this requirement effectively impossible, virtually ensuring non-target species impact.

Taken in whole, many believe the use of a Warfarin-based feral hog toxicant as proposed poses far too great of a risk to the wildlife ecology of Texas. And it’s hard to dispute that concern. Of course, there is also potential for public concern over real human health risks. That could slow hog hunting participation as well as other feral hog control methods such as recreational and commercial trapping.

There are some solid points that dispute the “clearance” of warfarin for hogs in Texas. TWA even stated, “We strongly urge further scientific review and transparent due diligence before proceeding with the use of any warfarin-based toxicant for feral hog control purposes.” TWA also supports bills recently filed in the Texas Legislature (SB 1454 and HB 3451) that seek to mandate such a review process.

Will the use of warfarin impact feral hog control in Texas? Will hog hunting participation suffer from the use of warfarin? It’s impossible to say right now since it appears warfarin still has a ways to go before it ever has a chance to actually be used on the landscape. Research continues regarding the use of sodium nitrite for wild hogs, although it’s not clear when it will be available either.

Hog Hunting in Arkansas: In Review

It looks like the hunting of feral hogs in Arkansas is under review. Apparently, hog hunting was semi-banned on Commission-owned property by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) recently. Now, however, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Jeff Crow proposed a temporary reversal of regulations prohibiting the take of feral hogs. If the hog regulation change passes, hunters will be allowed to take feral hogs during open bear, deer or elk firearms seasons with weapons legal for those seasons.

The proposal stems from public comments after the hog hunting regulation was passed in May. Confusion over the reasoning behind the “protection” of feral hogs was a primary concern.

“The idea that we want to eliminate hogs on a WMA but won’t allow the public to shoot one if they see it does seem counter intuitive,” Crow said during committee meetings. “The idea was to eliminate the incentive for future illegal releases of hogs and to cut down on disturbance that can spook the hogs and make them much harder to trap.”

The AGFC has begun an aggressive hog trapping campaign in the last few years, catching whole sounders in one swoop instead of taking single hogs here and there.

“This new method eliminates many more hogs without scattering the rest of the sounder,” Crow said. “I still firmly believe that the restriction on taking hogs on WMAs is a good one, and that recreational pursuit of hogs is not the answer to the problem, but we need to give the public and our sister conservation agencies more time to review and understand this effort.”

Crow says the restriction to eliminate killing hogs on all AGFC-owned WMAs will be presented again in 2019, but feral hogs are highly-adaptable, highly-prolific mammals. From my experience, there is no single way to control wild pigs. I suspect this will hold true in the state of Arkansas.

The recreational hunting of feral hogs will not significantly decrease hog populations, but it also will not spread feral hog populations throughout the land. Trapping, while good, will not get them all, either. Hogs spread diseases and compete with native wildlife. When it comes to feral hogs, anyone that is willing to put a bullet in a hog should be allowed to do so.

Hog Hunting Tip: Do it the Right Way!

There was not always hogs or hog hunting in North America. Hogs were brought over by Spanish explorers as a food source. These visitors let hogs roam free-range and would slaughter them as necessary. However, some of these domesticated hogs wondered off, creating a feral breeding population, and thus feral hogs were born. Now, shooting this non-native species is mostly unregulated, but that may not mean that it’s “anything goes.”

Many hog people do not understand hunters who think that gut shooting a big boar is okay, as long as you don’t gut shoot a whitetail. I know full well the hog problem many areas face. I am aware of the damage that they cause. I kill a lot of pigs on my place and also work on shooting, trapping and killing pigs on numerous other properties. In fact, I’m often out hunting pigs on work nights when most folks are at home in bed. Continue reading Hog Hunting Tip: Do it the Right Way!

Best Broadhead for Hog Hunting

Anyone that has shot any number of hogs knows that feral hogs are tough critters. Big hogs can be tough enough to take down with a high caliber rifle, much less crossbow or even a bow and arrow. But, it can be done. In fact, I’ve done it numerous times. And let me tell you, it’s all about shot placement and using the best broadhead you can afford when hog hunting with a bow and arrow. Big feral hogs have thick hides. In addition, boars have the “shield” that is chock-full of fat and toughness that lays just beneath the hide around their shoulders and back.

When it comes to plowing through a big boar’s shield you better be prepared. It takes wicked broadhead to open up a big boar like a filleted fish. Many people asked me, “What broadheads do you recommend for wild hogs? Do you use cheaper ones or the more expensive broadheads?” Okay, expensive is a matter of income. What is expensive to one person is not necessarily expensive to another. To me, the right broadhead for hog hunting depends on a number of factors for each individual hunter.

Best Broadhead for Hog Hunting

Here lately, I will often shoot a carbon arrow with a Mangus two blade 100 grain broadhead. I have killed seven big hogs just fine in the last three months. Make a good shot and the arrow will pass through and stick right in the ground. This can be said of any good shot, regardless of broadhead. Any high quality three blade would be good in my opinion, but many hunters that have a lot of hog shot opportunities will decided not to waste expensive broadheads on pigs.

Less expensive broadheads will give you a one and out. They will often create enough trauma that the animal dies, but the broadhead will often be worthless after the shot. In other words, you can’t recycle them. You can repair and easily sharpen the Mangus two blade broadheads. I’ve used other broadheads in the past and have had hog hunting success with them too. It’s more about shooting ability and being able to put the arrow in the right spot at the right time while chasing them in their habitat. On a horrible shot, even the best broadhead will not help you put pork on the table.

The one thing I would not suggest is a mechanical broadhead. Stick to fixed blades and go with them.  If you are shooting hogs fairly often, especially smaller ones, go with the cheaper broadheads if you are not worried about losing an animal or being able to reuse the broadhead. For big hogs, go with quality or you risk losing your animal because of lesser quality material and fabrication. I’ve shot enough hogs and went through enough broadheads to know that you get what you pay for. A hog is not contest for a well-placed, sharp broadhead. The best broadhead for hog hunting is the one you can shoot the best.

Helicopter Hog Hunting in Texas

Texas hunters have been hog hunting for decades, but the feral hog population has continued to rise. Now, hunters too will be going up—up in the air! Yep, Texas’ feral hog population will now have to contend with helicopter hog hunting in Texas. In an all-out attempt to liberalize the take of wild pigs, the Texas state government has helped Texas ranchers launch all-out aerial warfare against feral pigs tearing up their property.

Though helicopter hog hunting had been allowed for some time under state permit, the new legislation allows landowners to rent out seats on helicopters used to hunt feral hogs and coyotes by air. In short, operators conducting hog hunts can legally charge for recreational hunters to jump on board, lock and load, and shoot hogs from a helicopter.

Helicopter Hog Hunting in Texas

The passage of this legislation is sighted on the problem of two million feral hogs loose in Texas. In the past, feral hogs and coyotes were primarily only an issue in rural areas, but now it is starting to be a problem in urban areas. Coyotes have been living in greenbelts around cities for decades, but now officials are seeing cases where feral hogs are coming into backyards and endangering pets and young children.

Damage and losses caused by feral hogs and coyotes amounts to about $400 million in damage to crops, property and fences each year. In addition to indirect losses caused by hogs and coyotes, they both cause direct loss to agricultural producers. Both hogs and coyotes prey on young lambs and goats, in addition to white-tailed deer fawns. There are also concerns that feral hogs and coyotes harbor several diseases that transfer readily to domestic livestock and humans.

Helicopter Hog Hunting

Landowners can currently apply for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department permit to conduct aerial helicopter hog hunting and hire a helicopter company and professional shooter. However, the recently-passed bill helps defray the cost by allowing landowners to sell the passenger side of the helicopter to qualified recreational hunters looking to take aim at Texas’ wild hogs and coyotes.