There are many wild boar in central and southern Illinois
Hog hunting is not uncommon in Smithfield, Illinois. Pigs or hogs were among the livestock brought by the large wave of settlers to the state of Illinois in the early 19th century. Besides being a good food source the hog also allowed for waste from the home to be disposed of. However, some hogs escaped from their pens and went into the wooded, undeveloped areas of the state where they began to reproduce. Decades later Smithfiled has an abundance of feral or wild hogs that are creating environmental problems for the area.
History of Hogs In Illinois
Hogs have been in Illinois since the first European settlers arrived, particularly in southern Illinois which was settled largely by people of German descent according to Don Tolzmann's book "Illinois German Heritage." Until the invention of barbed wire in the late 1800s, it was difficult to contain the pigs with wooden fences which is why so many of them escaped into the wild, according to the article "Hogs Running Wild" on lib.niu.edu.
Smithfield, Illinois
Smithfield is a very small town in West-Central Illinois with a population of 203 according to city-data.com. The town of Smithfield is located off of state Route 95 just 35 miles east of Macomb, Illinois. Macomb is home to Western Illinois University and is a good place for hotel lodging in the Smithfield area.
The Value of Hog Hunting
The hunting of wild hogs is good on two accounts. First it eliminates a species that causes a great deal of damage to the natural wildlife of the area. The hogs eat the same food as deer, turkeys, squirrels and other wild life. Feral hogs are capable of destroying large swaths of land because they are rooting feeders, which means they probe the subsoil to find food.
Why Farmers Approve of Hog Hunting
Not only are the hogs destructive to the ecosystem they are damaging to fences and crops according to "Hogs Running Wild." Landowners are encouraged to hunt the hogs because of their potential for economic and environmental damage.
Hunting Wild Hogs
The first choice of weapon for hunting hogs is often a large gauge shotgun or a rifle because of the size of the hogs. According to "Hogs Running Wild" a permit or license to hunt wild hogs in Illinois is not required. The only permission you need is that of the landowner. Many farmers will gladly let people hunt these animals in an effort to preserve their fields and crops.
More Information
If you need more information on hog hunting you can contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at:
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-782-6302
dnr.state.il.us/
Tags: Hogs Running, Hogs Running Wild, Running Wild, Smithfield Illinois, Natural Resources, southern Illinois, wild hogs