[craigepo]

We have had hogs move into Missouri, especially around the Mark Twain National Forest. The Missouri Department of Conservation encourages killing hogs any time or day, however you want to shoot them. Baiting is allowed(this is the only type of baiting allowed in this state).

The most effective way the locals have found to take large numbers is the use of dogs. The dog handlers put tusk-guard vests on their dogs, as once the dogs run the hog to exhaustion, there is a hell of a fight between a pack of dogs and a large-tusked 400 lb. wild boar. Also, the price of Missouri jumping mules has went up, as the guys who run the dogs use the mules to keep up with the dogs, in an area with lots of old fences.

The hogs are prolific breeders, and do horrible damage to natural food sources. Essentially, once the hogs move in, the native sources move out.

Ribs from a smaller wild hog are excellent table fare, I would say better than domestic pork.