We finally found written proof of the best-worst-kept-secret in the Hoosier outdoors: there are wild hogs running around Indiana.

Before you sharpen the pig-sticker and plan on where to store 300 pounds of boar sausage, realize that it is estimated there are less than 50 of the porkers running around the wilds of Warrick county.

According to this story printed in the Evansville Courier & Press, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Gordon Wood admitted that the piggies have been living in his district for several years.

This corner personally heard this story a few years ago from several top administrators within the DNR who had experience with the animals.  It seems, according to rumor, that a property owner in the area decided it was a good idea to release wild boars purchased from a dealer in the southeastern U.S.  The idea was to have a pig hunt without traveling out of state.

According to my DNR sources, the pigs found the Hoosier wildlands to their liking and established a breeding population.  The landowner(s) got to hunt their pigs and everybody is happy.

I was joking about that last part.

The DNR is unhappy because feral pigs have the potential to quickly become a problem for native plants and wildlife, especially small game and birds such as quail.   Area pig farmers and state veterinarians aren’t happy because the free-roaming animals could easily spread swine diseases, especially those that might have been brought with the boars themselves.

I’ve also been told that anyone traveling to the area to hunt the boars will find outright hostility from anyone who actually knows where the porkers are partying.  Good luck trying to get permission on private land to hunt the animals.

We have also heard rumors that this isn’t the only or smallest herd in southern Indiana, though that story comes from “friend-of-a-friend” sources so take this notion with a couple of large salt tablets before ingestion.

Once again the short-sighted whims of man have the potential for throwing a monkey wrench in our already-stressed ecosystems.

Lynnville Indiana wild hogs

photo: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

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