Hogs Trapped in a Corral Trap
How to Trap Wild Hogs
By: Mark Tyson, M.S.
Extension Associate, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Photo Credit: Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service
Introduction
Trapping Wild Pigs is a Marathon Not a Sprint.
Wild pigs, otherwise known as feral hogs, are an exotic, invasive species that can be found in a majority of Texas counties. An estimated 2.6 million wild pigs have the potential to impact at least 134 million acres within the state of Texas (Timmons et al. 2012).
With numbers like that it is easy to understand why the thought of controlling wild pigs has some land managers overwhelmed. While it can be overwhelming, contending with wild pigs is a situation that more and more land managers are facing these days. A variety of methods can be legally used in to reduce wild pig populations; including shooting, snaring, bay/catch dogs, and trapping. Each of these methods can be useful in certain circumstances but they require a specific input of time and money and exhibit varying levels of effectiveness.
Methods for Trapping Wild Hogs
When selecting a method to reduce wild pig populations, land managers should look for the greatest return on their investment. Recent research suggests that the capture rate for corral traps are four times more effective than box traps (Williams et al. 2011). Therefore, corral traps should be the tool of choice for land managers. Be aware that corral trapping process can be likened to a marathon as opposed to a sprint. It contains multiple stages that must be strategically implemented over a period of time to be successful.
Stages for Setting Corral Trap for Wild Hogs
- Pre-baiting the corral trap area
- Evaluating the size of the sounder
- Introducing the trap
- Setting the trap to catch
Pre-Baiting the Corral Trap Area
The first and most critical step in the trapping process is the pre-baiting and conditioning stage. One of the most common baits used is shelled corn, but a variety of baits can be used. Land managers should resist the temptation to place bait in areas of current wild pig damage. Instead, place the bait site where it will intercept the pigs as they are on their way to a feeding location.
To locate the best site for pre-baiting it is important to track the pigs back to their daytime cover based on tracks and sign. If this is not possible, the use of a trail camera with a time-lapse photography feature could prove very useful in locating this area.
Once the site has been selected, a game camera should be installed to monitor the pre-baiting process. It is important that the pigs are presented with a consistent baiting regime each day during the early morning or late evening hours. This can be easily accomplished using a spincast wildlife feeder equipped with a timer. Upon locating the bait, the pigs will pattern themselves to feeding each day within a period of a few weeks or less.
The trap site should border the pig’s daytime cover
Evaluating the Size of the Sounder
Evaluating the size of the sounder is very important since it will help in the decision of how large the trap should be. The photographs provided by the trail camera will supply information on the number and size of the pigs responding to the bait site. Once the sounder size has been assessed a decision can be made on the size of the trap.
A sounder of ten pigs or less can be successfully captured in a corral consisting of six sixteen-foot panels while a sounder of fifteen or more would require between eight to twelve sixteen-foot panels. It is better to use too many panels than not enough since the goal is to maximize the distance between the trap’s door and trigger mechanism.
The use of trail cameras is vital in the trapping process
Setting Up & Introducing the Trap
The corral structure should be constructed using sixteen-foot panels with 4” by 4” mesh squares. When connecting panels it is important to overlap them by two squares and ensure all panels sit flush with the ground.
T-posts should be placed around the trap at four foot intervals and the panels should be secured at a minimum of five points along each t-post. It is important to use doubled over bailing wire and to ensure that all wire is twisted from the outside to avoid being damaged by pigs in the trap.
Initially, an area of ten feet or more should be left open where the trap door will be installed. This leaves a wide enought area for the pigs to get comfortable with entering the trap to access the bait. The trap door can be slowly introduced with the door tied open.
Getting the pigs to enter the fully functional trap may take some time but it is worth the wait.
The trail camera photos will indicate when the pigs are conditioned to the fully functional trap.
A small tear-drop shaped corral trap built for demonstration
Setting the Corral Trap to Catch Wild Hogs
Setting the trap to catch is where the race is won. Land managers have two general options for triggering the trap door: a manual trigger or a remote trigger. Manual triggers must be used in conjunction with a strategic baiting strategy. Remote triggers require human input to trigger the trap.
If a manual trigger is selected, care should be taken to ensure the design selected will work with the amount and size of the pigs that are entering the trap. The trigger should be firm enough to resist being tripped by young pigs but light enough to be triggered by larger adults. Start baiting just outside the trap door by placing small piles of corn throughout the trap working back toward the trigger, which should be heavily baited. The goal is to have the last pig enter the trap before the first pig makes it to the trigger.
If a remote trigger is selected, the wireless camera included with the system will enable the user to know when all of the pigs have entered the trap. Land managers should attempt to check the trap in a timely manner; the longer the pigs remain inside the more time they have to try and escape.
Visit the Texas Agrilife Extension’s Feral Hog Page for more information on wild pigs and their control. A variety of wild pig management videos can be found at www.youtube.com/wfscagrilife.
Work Cited
Timmons, J.B., Mellish, J., Higginbotham, B., Griffin, J., Lopez, R., Sumrall, A., Cathey, J., and K. Skow. 2012. Feral hog population growth, density and harvest in Texas. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Publication SP-472.
Williams, B. L., Holtfreter, R.W., Ditchkoff, S.S., and J.B. Grand. 2011. Trap style influences wild pig behavior and trapping success. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:432-436.