Fort Benning takes shot at rooting out pigs

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From Army Times

Benning takes its shot at rooting out pigs
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Mar 3, 2008 7:44:40 EST

FORT BENNING, Ga. — Maj. Bobby Toon is known as the Pig Czar at the huge Army post on Georgia’s western edge.

He has been assigned to help rid Fort Benning of its unwanted guests: an estimated 6,000 feral pigs that roam the 184,000-acre installation.

The animals, common throughout Georgia, are known for tearing up woodlands and farms. They are aggressive foragers, gobbling up native vegetation and endangered species.

“These pigs feed and breed,” Toon said. “That’s all they care about. I’ve been here off and on for 17 years, and I can never remember a pig population as big as it is now.”

Since July, more than 900 pigs have been killed.

“These animals can smell a turkey egg three miles away,” Toon said. “They’re also a danger to tortoises and woodpeckers.”

The former 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment company commander, who now instructs a course at the Maneuver Captains Career Course, has personally brought down 68 pigs in the past year.

But he’s not the only pig hunter at work.

About 2,000 people who are authorized to hunt on the post have been encouraged to go after the feral pigs. They must be active-duty, retired military or civilian workers at Benning and must have a license from the base.

The post is offering a $40 bounty for every pig tail that’s brought in.

“We did a cost estimate with civilian contractors, but they wanted way too much money for the job,” Toon said.
 
That's funny. I hunted there for 3 straight years for turkey, pig and deer and they never offered me $40 for a pig tail. Bummer.

I've also never heard of this guy in the article. Hmmmm..

Anyway, Benning is an awesome place and full of wildlife. It's great how little people actually hunt it. It is never crowded and there are always enough areas open to hunt.

Man I miss hunting in the South East.
 
Ft Benning is overrun with hogs right now due to their own stupidity but that is another story. The bounty started out at $25 but apparently there was not enough interest so they upped the ante.
Benning is restricted to active duty, retired, NG/Res on active duty, DA civilians and dependents.
I currently have 4 tails in the fridge to turn in this week.
 
I was in the army and stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. When we were out doing field training exercises we would always come across pigs. We would set bait with MREs and we would go after them from all directions chasing them with night vision on. It was always a very good time.haha Matt
 
Hey Matt,
Those pigs are everywhere down there. I shot one with a bow while I was stationed at Ft. Shafter. I would like to shoot up the mongoose out there with my 17HMR. Neat little critters.
 
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