Hunting Feral Hogs From Hot Air Balloons Awaits Approval From Govenor Abbott

AUSITN, TX – In an effort to make feral hog hunting more efficient, Texas lawmakers have approved legislation that would allow hunters to use hot air balloons when hunting feral hogs.

Feral hogs are a big problem for Texas ranchers who can suffer from millions of dollars of damage in their crops because of feral hogs. The lack of natural predators and their predisposition to breeding has caused the population to grow exponentially. According to a local news source, there are about 2 million feral hogs in the state of Texas. Because they are omnivorous, feral hogs have the ability to survive in different environments by feeding on what is available to them.

The most common method of airborne hunting has been with helicopters, but with the associated costs of using a helicopter and the noise the helicopters produce, it has not been the most effective method of hunting. Lawmakers in the Texas Legislature hope that the quieter hot air balloon will be a more successful option.

The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting the approval of Governor Abbott.