What to Do With a Pig That’s Rooting Through Our Neighborhood

February 29, 2012

Question: We live in a residential subdivision in Gualala in Sonoma County and there is a wild male pig rooting around the homes. This pig is making himself at home and rooting up the unfenced ground around our home. Most everyone who lives around here has had this guy at their home. This is a 2- to 5-acre residential zoning so we cannot shoot him, not that we want to. He follows the same evening route just before sunset. I have no objection to Fish and Game setting a trap box here. We don’t venture around our place after sunset. This pig has been sighted in the past two weeks by about six people. We have weekly garbage service which no doubt is an attraction and our homeowners association has notified its membership. (Jeff W., Gualala)

Answer: First of all I suggest you make sure no garbage or artificial food attractants are being left out to draw the animal into your neighborhood. Talk to your neighbors about this and make sure your homeowners association spreads the word, too.

Homeowners associations differ from place to place, but most are within a designated city limit and most cities impose firearm discharge restrictions for the general populous. Thus, this would make shooting the pig unlawful in most situations. As such, hunting and immediate take are not options. Landowners or your housing association can apply to the Department of Fish and Game for a depredation permit and then contact a local pig removal company or a federal trapper through USDA Wildlife Services (who operate in select California Counties) http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/ to trap and remove the pig.

or just break out the bow and shut the hell up. 

or just break out the bow and shut the hell up. 

And then have a BBQ
TEXAS STYLE

or just break out the bow and shut the hell up. 

No shit!!! By the time they get the permit there will be 20 pigs. Just shoot it already!!!

Taking care of a problem, via a gun or a bow, trap or poison, and keeping your mouth shut is how every homeowner and rancher around my neck of 2 to 5 acre parcels deal with nuisance critters.  I'm sure many a skunk, possom, coon, deer, rattler, mountain lion has been dealt with and buried without the need to contact any 'authorities' who never seem to help solve problems but just quote regs as to why you aren't 'allowed' to.