Boar Hunting Banned in NY State

Regulations have been prompted by the Department of Environment (DEC) in New York State against wild boar hunting, domesticating, trapping, etc. The plan has involved a mass eradication of these wild creatures because of the "harmful effects they have on the environment and the animals." 

New York is not the only state taking action; states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Massachusetts have been ordered to get the boar population under control. In some cases, the techniques include radical measures like hunters shooting the boars from a helicopter, or sharp shooting with rifles.

Scientists have been busy making poisons and birth control to feed  and kill off to the boars, yet one of the reasons why the boars are despised is for the spread of disease to humans and other animals (example: swine flu). Mixing poisons into the food chain would not be the most logical thing to resort to. Humans are what they eat, and so are the boar's prey and/or scavengers. Many environmental problems could also arise out of the toxins. Scientists have even proved this theory that it does in fact have negative effects in several of ways. "Scavengers that consume stomach contents, such as ravens and vultures, may be at risk and should be directly tested."


Last weekend, for the first time, I experienced my first boar hunt. On this preserve, the hill was steep and full of life. The peace of the woods with the birds chirping on the tall treetops, it all seemed appalling to think that these "damaged areas" need to eradicate the wild boar that roam them. Furthermore, it is rather tragic news, but by September 1st, 2015, the DEC intends to have all the preserves shut down. Owning wild boar will then be illegal. How some make a living, and also the hobby that many of all ages pursue will soon be vanished near the end of 2015.