Texas to try arial hog hunting.

According to a recent story by the LA Times, a bill has recently been introduced into the Texas State Legislature to allow for the arial hunting of feral hogs by way of helicopter.

Feral hogs were first introduced to the Americas by Hernando de Sota in 1539. Today there is an estimated population of 1.5 million individuals of the invasive species. Those 1.5 million individuals are responsible for an estimated $52 million annual crop loss.

"I know some folks will have fun with this,” said representative Sid Miller, “but I have not been anywhere in this state where they have not been a problem. I'm just hoping to eradicate this problem."

About 90% of texan counties report populations of feral hogs. These hogs pose little danger to humans,  however, they can carry disease that can be transmitted to live stock, such as pseudorabies, swine brucellosis, tuberculosis, bubonic plague, tularemia, hog cholera, foot and mouth disease, and anthrax. Also, when cornered, threatened or defending their young, feral hogs have been known to attack, using their speed and razer sharp tusks to cause injury.

The Texas Humane Legislation Network and the Humane Society of the United States have voiced opposition to the bill, stating that "Aerial hunting is often less precise and the animals are hit and not killed."