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Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: BlackRiverTaxidermy on June 21, 2016, 06:21:08 PM


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Title: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: BlackRiverTaxidermy on June 21, 2016, 06:21:08 PM
So...watching this show today called 'Invasion', which is going over the overpopulation of wild hogs, the feral species that were introduced, mitigation and other problems Texas, among other states are having with hogs. I grew up in this state and always heard there were wild hogs in the Olympics that were 'fair game', but never personally made an attempt to confirm this; also heard they are no longer there.

So here are a few questions for the masses...mostly for my curiosity....Did anyone every see or hunt them there (Olympics)? And...without making any suggestions, implications, or prompting a drunken idea on a wild evening...do you think wild hogs could survive in the western part of Washington state to proportions that some of the other states are having problems with. Again, not advocating any suggestions, but was curious what it might do to both the predator issues as well as other game animals and or hunting opportunities. Love to hear anyone's thoughts.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 21, 2016, 06:30:36 PM
I think they'd survive just fine assuming the cougars went easy on them.  The forests of western WA aren't too unlike some of the forests where wild boar seem to thrive in Europe.  Mostly just warmer winters/less snowfall here.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Mfowl on June 21, 2016, 06:31:58 PM
I remember hearing about them on the OP as well. I also heard that they were a rumor started by a former sporting goods store owner to drum up business. No specifics on that theory. I don't see why they wouldn't survive, plenty of forage items and ag lands to raid. I do know that WDFW had a portion of the Desert Wildlife Area near Moses Lake quarantined recently to irradicate pigs that they found there. Not sure where that process is at now though. I'd say we're lucky not to have them given how many factors are against our big game herds already.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: magnanimous_j on June 21, 2016, 06:33:11 PM
I've heard about these pigs for years, but I've haven't heard anyone claim to have even seen one, let alone shot one.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 21, 2016, 06:45:24 PM
I had heard they were up the Wynoochee a few miles outside of Montesano, but that was about 15 years ago. 
The other reported critter on the OP is wild turkey.  I've not seen any, but my cousin saw one about three years ago.  Some of the old harvest reports show them. 
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Humptulips on June 21, 2016, 07:11:46 PM
There are wild pigs on the Quinault Indian Reservation. They have been on the lower river for years. Occasionally you hear of someone seeing them. I've heard of them as far up as Raft river at 101. Also heard of them getting seen south of the Res behind Moclips a few times. I don't think there is a lot of them and the chances of seeing one long enough to get a shot is slim,
When all the talk was about wild hog and some people were looking for them I had heard they were on the Hump but I've spent a lot of time in the area and never seen any sign. I think that was all smoke.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Bofire on June 21, 2016, 07:21:45 PM
BTKR billy the kid rock is the local expert on these pigs. I think you should contact him directly.
Carl
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 21, 2016, 07:30:19 PM
There used to be some up bear canyon between cinebar and Morton. Some hound hunters cut some loose about 10-15 years ago up there, a buddy killed 3 60-80lbrs 10 years ago or so up there..... Hopefully they spread into weyco and start uprooting and killin  every tree they find....
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Bigshooter on June 21, 2016, 07:37:49 PM
There used to be some up bear canyon between cinebar and Morton. Some hound hunters cut some loose about 10-15 years ago up there, a buddy killed 3 60-80lbrs 10 years ago or so up there..... Hopefully they spread into weyco and start uprooting and killin  every tree they find....

A friend of my dad's saw 1 while deer hunting down near the Tilton about 15 years ago and he didn't kill it.  He lives on dodge rd and that is the only one that he has ever seen.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Humptulips on June 21, 2016, 07:45:10 PM
There used to be some up bear canyon between cinebar and Morton. Some hound hunters cut some loose about 10-15 years ago up there, a buddy killed 3 60-80lbrs 10 years ago or so up there..... Hopefully they spread into weyco and start uprooting and killin  every tree they find....

 :lol4: Tell us how you really feel abut WEYCO.   :tree1:
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: grundy53 on June 21, 2016, 08:08:59 PM
I had heard they were up the Wynoochee a few miles outside of Montesano, but that was about 15 years ago. 
The other reported critter on the OP is wild turkey.  I've not seen any, but my cousin saw one about three years ago.  Some of the old harvest reports show them.
I heard the same thing about pigs being up the Wynoochee. Also heard there were some feral cattle up there too.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: jmscon on June 21, 2016, 08:19:51 PM
I thought that I heard about some Siberian pigs in the Oly Park and that there was a culling of some sort, 20 years ago maybe.

A link I found:

http://www.invasivespecies.wa.gov/priorities/feral_swine.shtml
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 21, 2016, 08:45:11 PM
I had heard they were up the Wynoochee a few miles outside of Montesano, but that was about 15 years ago. 
The other reported critter on the OP is wild turkey.  I've not seen any, but my cousin saw one about three years ago.  Some of the old harvest reports show them.
I heard the same thing about pigs being up the Wynoochee. Also heard there were some feral cattle up there too.

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk
There are feral cattle further north.  I know of at least one that was shot.  It was jumping over/tearing down fences to get into peoples gardens and trying to get to the tame cows.  I've heard there's a few more still roaming about.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 21, 2016, 09:03:24 PM
There used to be some up bear canyon between cinebar and Morton. Some hound hunters cut some loose about 10-15 years ago up there, a buddy killed 3 60-80lbrs 10 years ago or so up there..... Hopefully they spread into weyco and start uprooting and killin  every tree they find....

 :lol4: Tell us how you really feel abut WEYCO.   :tree1:

Or better yet, I'll tell ya how my old old hound huntin pards feel about big timber comps!! Grin
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: billythekidrock on June 21, 2016, 09:37:08 PM
I've heard about these pigs for years, but I've haven't heard anyone claim to have even seen one, let alone shot one.

I saw one on the OP many years ago near the National Park.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: beardown on June 22, 2016, 05:05:02 PM
4 guys in my old hunting crew killed 6 of them about 10-15 years ago just outside of Montesano up the Wynoochee Valley on Weyerhaueser land. There were around 20 pigs in the group and they had the whole area tore up. One of the guys shot 3 of them and was in the local paper with them. He was like a grandfather to me and a great man who unfortunately passed away last December. We have been in the same area several times over the years and have seen no sign of them.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Scvette on June 22, 2016, 05:59:29 PM
I've seen quite a few of them driving threw Aberdeen,they have evolved and are walking upright on their hind legs. :)
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on June 22, 2016, 09:08:38 PM
I havent seen them personally but have looked for them up the wynoochee up in canyon 88....seen a few pictures of some taken...the store in question was failors sporting goods..they were the "pig hunting headquarters"....there out of business now so it must not have worked to great for them if that's the case...I haven't heard of any sightings for quite a while..there's not to ma y permits for the area now with weyco closing its access down
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Firedogg on June 22, 2016, 10:48:40 PM
Took one on an early two hour road trip out of Aberdeen in '92 ,fell asleep on the way so not sure of thr exact spot. It was with two other porkers, but these appeared to look exactly like some that got out of someone's pens, all nice and clean,  so not sure how feral they were.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: GameHunter1959 on July 05, 2016, 10:14:15 AM
Go to Bufford Springs Ranch in North Eastern Oregon about 40 miles east of Pendleton, if you want to hunt them year round. You can find them on Facebook or the net.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Eric M on July 05, 2016, 11:00:52 AM
tag
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: MADMAX on July 05, 2016, 12:08:24 PM
I've seen quite a few of them driving threw Aberdeen,they have evolved and are walking upright on their hind legs. :)


you sure that wasn't bremerton
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 05, 2016, 12:25:57 PM
I've seen quite a few of them driving threw Aberdeen,they have evolved and are walking upright on their hind legs. :)


you sure that wasn't bremerton

More likely Olympia with all those politicians sucking off the teets.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: splitshot on July 06, 2016, 01:56:42 PM
   friend of mine shot one somewhere by moses lake.  said it was good eating.  mike w
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JDHasty on July 06, 2016, 03:23:35 PM
Feral hog will survive just fine in Washington and a cougar or other predator would think twice before taking on a dozen or so full grown hogs in a sounder.  The moderate temps and ample water on the west side would make it great for hog living.  I think you would be surprised how many feral hog there are in the JBLM area.  I know a hog farmer on the border who loses animals fairly regular.   

 :yeah:  Probably the same one I know about. 
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: follow maggie on July 07, 2016, 01:43:12 PM
They'll be here. It's only a matter of time
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Curly on July 07, 2016, 02:11:02 PM
If the pigs show up in big enough numbers maybe we can get some of these hog hunting girls to come show us how they catch them?

Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 07, 2016, 02:24:14 PM
If the pigs show up in big enough numbers maybe we can get some of these hog hunting girls to come show us how they catch them?

Can't we just lie?
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: npaull on July 07, 2016, 02:33:56 PM
Is it bad that I kind of want them to be here?

(Probably, yeah, ok. But they seem so fun to bowhunt!)

Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JDHasty on July 07, 2016, 02:37:14 PM
Even at my age if they ever show up here in force I will have a pack of bull arabs.  The wife be damned. 

Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JDHasty on July 07, 2016, 03:26:24 PM
Couple more pig hunting songs. 

list=PLR4_ZmBO0YBrzt6a7FKjb4rl0J83_nMje&index=2

Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: brew on July 07, 2016, 07:20:31 PM
i've seen trail cam pics of some on the OP 2 years ago....the only pics they have of them are at night....never seen them during daylight...  they are there
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: follow maggie on July 08, 2016, 12:37:29 AM
You don't need to see them to know if they're around. They wreck the gound like nothing else. It's very distinctive.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Rob on July 08, 2016, 06:31:15 AM
I'll just say it...  I can't wait for them to get here!  It's just a matter of time till they do, and the damage they cause will be bad, and I feel for the farmers/ranchers, but from a hunting opportunity standpoint, it will be a hoot!

As for the question, can they survive in Washington...  if the Russian Boar can survive the cold Russian winters, bears and wolves, I think the pigs can survive our weather and predators!  They are amazingly adaptors.  More like humans than we wish to admit!

Four legs good, two legs bad.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: HarboritE on July 10, 2016, 12:39:07 PM
A friend of mine shot one on the wynoochee about 15 years ago. It was chasing his little brother around their yard. My uncle found an awesome pig skull up the wynoochee last year that was really old, but still had those huge bottom teeth. I haven't heard of anyone seeing any in a long time. We also saw a turkey up the wynoochee in the mid 90s
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Gringo31 on July 28, 2016, 02:29:40 PM
Portion of WDFW wildlife area
closing for feral pig removal


EPHRATA – Starting Friday (July 29), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will close public access to a portion of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area in Grant County as part of a month-long effort to remove feral pigs from the area.

The closure will be in effect through Aug. 31 on about 1,300 acres of the Desert Unit of the wildlife area.

During that time, a team from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will attempt to locate and remove feral pigs, which have been spotted in that area over the past year.

The USDA, which considers feral pigs an invasive species, plans to use bait to attract the animals and shoot them from a helicopter, said Matt Monda, WDFW wildlife manager for northcentral Washington.

According to the Washington Invasive Species Council, feral pigs can be extremely destructive to fences, fields, wetlands, and other wildlife habitat. They can also transmit diseases and parasites to livestock and people. The USDA is currently working in 39 states to control feral pigs, which cause an estimated $1.5 billion a year in environmental damage nationwide.

“We first started receiving public reports of wild pigs in the wildlife area last July,” Monda said. “One of our officers shot a pregnant sow two months later, and we’ve occasionally picked them up on remote cameras over the past year. We don’t want this to get out of hand.”

After assessing the situation, federal agents determined that locating and shooting feral pigs from the air is the best option, Monda said. They also plan to retrieve hair samples from the carcasses for DNA analysis to help determine the origin of the pigs, he said.

“We’re hoping this closure will have minimal impacts on wildlife area visitors,” Monda said. “With the hot weather and buggy conditions, August is the time of year the Desert Unit is least visited by wildlife watchers, anglers and hunters.”

Monda said WDFW will post signs marking the closed area, which will reopen Sept. 1 for the start of early hunting seasons.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jul2816a/
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 28, 2016, 02:37:03 PM
Why not get hunters involved instead of spending $100K+ on a helicopter and crew?
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on July 28, 2016, 02:57:25 PM
Why not get hunters involved instead of spending $100K+ on a helicopter and crew?
Hey, helicopter pilots need jobs too!
WDFW is not interested in providing hunting opportunity, unless it benefits one of their contributors.
$$$
Probably letting the USDA deal with the pigs makes them eligible for federal funds.
Allowing hunters to use a WDFW wildlife area to hunt a non-classified wild animal for free...  :sry:
That does not follow the direction they seem to be heading, unless it was on private land with a fee to access.

Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Bob33 on July 28, 2016, 03:07:11 PM
Don't give them any ideas.

Quality Pig. Antlerless Pig. Youth Pig. Disabled Pig. Master Hunter Pig....
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Angry Perch on July 28, 2016, 03:45:42 PM
If the pigs show up in big enough numbers maybe we can get some of these hog hunting girls to come show us how they catch them?

Oink,oink!
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: gilroym on July 28, 2016, 05:45:47 PM
As an non native invasive species cant you hunt them year round without a licence or tag. You now know where they are just have to go in before WDFW close the area.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 28, 2016, 05:46:33 PM
Don't give them any ideas.

Quality Pig. Antlerless Pig. Youth Pig. Disabled Pig. Master Hunter Pig....
:chuckle:
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: kodiak 907 on July 28, 2016, 06:22:34 PM
If the pigs show up in big enough numbers maybe we can get some of these hog hunting girls to come show us how they catch them?

That's what I'm talking about
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Antlershed on July 28, 2016, 07:45:21 PM
Why not get hunters involved instead of spending $100K+ on a helicopter and crew?
Because of posts like the one above where hunters want a huntable population. The goal for ferel hogs in WA is complete eradication, as fast as possible, which it should be. WDFW really has nothing to do with the removal of ferel pigs, except when it involves one of their wildlife areas like it does this time.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: cdriver on July 28, 2016, 07:58:05 PM
News today says that part of the Columbia Basin wildlife area will be closed for a month while Feds/state shoot feral pigs that have come to their attention. From helicopters. This news came out of Ephrata, I caught it on KOMO news on line. Wish I had known exactly where and what the plan was, would have given them some attention this last spring.  Ha, I just saw the detailed post about the feral pig news.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: smittyJ on July 29, 2016, 07:18:24 AM
15 years ago or so, there was a problem on the OP and there was a no season hunt. At the time it was said the pigs had been turned loose from a  game farm / hunting camp once owned by Clark Gable somewhere around Hood Canal. In recent years I have tried to research the article but can not find anything.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: 724wd on July 29, 2016, 08:56:32 AM
Why not get hunters involved instead of spending $100K+ on a helicopter and crew?
Because of posts like the one above where hunters want a huntable population. The goal for ferel hogs in WA is complete eradication, as fast as possible, which it should be. WDFW really has nothing to do with the removal of ferel pigs, except when it involves one of their wildlife areas like it does this time.

 :yeah:  WA cannot allow hogs to get a foothold in WA.  hunters are not very effective at eradicating them, but shooting them from a helicopter is pretty effective!  KILL THEM ALL!!!  Thank you to the WDFW for their efforts in keeping hogs out of WA!
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: pianoman9701 on July 29, 2016, 09:56:51 AM
Why not do both? Have the helicopters out there on a schedule and open it up when they aren't. It's another opportunity for hunters to not only kill something but contribute to the health of the ecosystems.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JimmyHoffa on July 29, 2016, 10:00:06 AM
Agree, turn hunters loose until a deadline, then use the birds.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: cavemann on July 29, 2016, 10:06:54 AM
I'm with Curly on this one!!!
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Antlershed on July 29, 2016, 12:26:05 PM
Why not do both? Have the helicopters out there on a schedule and open it up when they aren't. It's another opportunity for hunters to not only kill something but contribute to the health of the ecosystems.
So you mean exactly what they are doing now?  :dunno:

Hunters can go shoot ferel hogs whenever they want.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: lamrith on July 31, 2016, 06:54:41 AM
Why not do both? Have the helicopters out there on a schedule and open it up when they aren't. It's another opportunity for hunters to not only kill something but contribute to the health of the ecosystems.
So you mean exactly what they are doing now?  :dunno:

Hunters can go shoot ferel hogs whenever they want.
Just curious where you are getting that information?  I did a scan of the Regs and see no mention of hogs/pigs at all with regards to season or huntability.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JimmyHoffa on July 31, 2016, 08:22:04 AM
Don't need a season for them, shoot all you want.  The only issue is that WDFW is closing the area.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: BlackRiverTaxidermy on July 31, 2016, 08:39:03 AM
I know when there was a 'problem' with them in the Olympics years ago I was told by a bio that due to the fact that they are feral and considered invasive there is no restrictions on seasons or calibers....normal shooting and land access laws were still needing to be abided by, however everything else was a 'go get em' any way possible'.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JimmyHoffa on July 31, 2016, 08:45:50 AM
If they were going to be around for awhile you could get a pack of dogs.  In some states it's real popular to turn loose a few pitbulls and then spear the hog once the dogs have it held down.  The animal shelters in those places rush the pitbulls out to the hunters as soon as they come in, rather they go for hunting than to gangsters.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: cdriver on August 25, 2016, 07:43:39 PM
I wonder how the kill plan is going? Anyone hear/know what kind of results they are getting. That area opens back up next month, I bet a few hunters will be out seeing if any pigs are left.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: JDHasty on August 25, 2016, 08:03:42 PM
If they were going to be around for awhile you could get a pack of dogs.  In some states it's real popular to turn loose a few pitbulls and then spear the hog once the dogs have it held down.  The animal shelters in those places rush the pitbulls out to the hunters as soon as they come in, rather they go for hunting than to gangsters.

Bull Arabs are the consummate pig dog. 
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: cdriver on August 30, 2016, 09:12:35 AM
I'm trying to figure out which Desert Wildlife Area was closed last month for the air assault on the feral pigs. Was it the smaller one just east of Adams Rd or the larger unit east of Dodson Rd?  The small one holds Frenchman Hills Wasteway, the larger has Winchester Waterway. Thanks for any help.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: DTaylor86 on August 31, 2016, 11:25:21 AM
I know that in Kansas they had such a big problem with them that they STOPPED all hunting. It turned out that hunters were the ones planting them all over the state so that they could hunt them. So now there are no tags and they use professionals with dogs and they are having better luck.
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: headshot5 on August 31, 2016, 12:28:31 PM
Quote
I know that in Kansas they had such a big problem with them that they STOPPED all hunting. It turned out that hunters were the ones planting them all over the state so that they could hunt them. So now there are no tags and they use professionals with dogs and they are having better luck.

Interesting, and I wouldn't doubt it is true.  Seems like pig hunting would be pretty fun.   It must suck for the landowners though. 
Title: Re: Wild Pigs in Washington
Post by: Davedavey on September 20, 2016, 08:09:59 PM
Sure but they let in wolves that totally ruin a good hunting area
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