Feral pig euthanasia  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 05:11:41 am
content: OK, I know this must sound really weird, but please hang with me. I have a huge feral hog problem and I trap them on a regular basis and I would like a humane way to euthanize them. I’m out in the country with no electricity other than 12 V batteries and from what I’ve read it takes 300v at 5 amps to do the job humanely. If I have a 12 volt 800 CCA battery or something similar, is there a way to increase the voltage to 300v with 5 amps? Since I am barely capable of the basics this would need to be something off the shelf that I could buy. I’m open to all options and forgive me if I have to ask for clarification on terminology.Thanks, Perdido

author: Andy Chee
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 05:39:30 am
content: Easiest method might be to purchase an off the shelf 12V-240V 2kW DC-AC power inverter and tweak the output for 300V.However electrocution is not humane.If you truly want humane, use a bolt gun to the head, or electric solenoid bolt to the head, to knock them unconscious. Then follow up with a carbon dioxide/monoxide gas chamber.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 06:11:22 am
content: Shooting them seems safer.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 06:23:56 am
content: Well:a) If you don't know what you are doing, it is not humane -- you will be experimenting, probably unsuccessfully.b) 300 V will not deliver 5 A, so this is a non-starter. If you try to apply 300 V to a feral hog, all you will get is an enraged, crazy animal.The normal, humane way to kill an animal is to shoot it.

author: audiotubes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 06:44:26 am
content: In some places I lived, this is an income opportunity for farmers and ranchers. Depending on your wildlife laws you maybe could open up your place for hunting, and at least the hogs will wind up in somebody's freezer.Also, depending on your wildlife management organization, you could ask the office responsible for this to help.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 06:57:52 am
content: Surely there are people or companies who specialise in this kind of thing? Might be worth talking to the professionals.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 12:22:52 pm
content: don't care about humanity, i doesn't kill them to touch high voltages fences / wires, many does that for years, farms etc ...yep pest control companies would help / give advicesif not possible, you end up killing them if the town city permit it, as written .... wildlife laws applicable ??

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 12:49:24 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on January 13, 2025, 06:57:52 amYes, this is not really the place to discuss this topic, it requires a professional opinion in such matters, of which I'm pretty sure you won't find here.Maybe a veterinary forum?

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 01:01:41 pm
content: Thanks for the reply’s and I’m trying to follow the best practices for humane stunning (across the brain) followed by death (across the heart) electrocution. This is the process packing plants use and I’m trying to do the same. Our laws prohibit live transport of wild pigs due to disease and the locals won’t eat them for the same reason. We do hunt them and we’ve been shooting them once they are trapped, but that really affects the local deer population in a negative way. We currently, no pun intended, have 6 traps scattered across the property and Im just trying to find a better way. The first reply might be what I’m looking for and not knowing the electrical lingo inhibits my Google searches. All that said i really would like to figure out how to do this! Thanks for your help and if any ideas come to mind like starting with 24v or 36v please share them.Perdido

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 01:48:02 pm
content: There was a hog farm along the railroad tracks where I walked for excersize. He electrocuted live hogs for butchering. It was a horrible sound because they don't die straight away!!! I considered it very inhumane!! Either shoot them or consult with professionals in the business such as the local large animal vet or animal control officers. Very few hog farms are doing electrocution, they have all progressed to the bolt gun. There were commercially made electrocution process machines which are used in a controlled manner and in your case with no mains you would require a substantial 12 volt supply such as a pair of commercial truck batteries either in parallel for 12vdc at a high surge capacity or in series for 24vdc and feed this to any of the readily available inverters made for the truckers who run microwaves and so forth. Some of those inverters will handle 2400 watts sustained. It is true that some electrocution machines don't draw a large amount of sustained current. They rely of a huge charge of stored energy to stop the heart with one jolt although it gets ugly if the first attempt fails!!! Seek professional advice from folks in the field. A gun is probably the best and cheapest answer until something humane comes along.

author: johnk0gcj@gmail.com
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 01:56:12 pm
content: Humane for you or the hog? Electrocution would be somewhat inhumane for you while attachingthe electrodes. At about 36 volts or so the hog would be starting to feel contrition and up around100 volts it would no longer be feeling much. The most humane way would be a 12ga deer slugbetween the eyes. Safer for you as well.

author: MrAl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 03:03:22 pm
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 13, 2025, 05:11:41 amHi,I don't recommend electrocution either it's too tricky to get right. This includes how you connect and where you connect on the animal. Too tricky.How about a guillotine? That's instant, but I think they usually gas them first with carbon dioxide at the right levels over time.The downside is it is rather gruesome.A bolt to the head is also common but it is not definite and sometimes a bullet is then used to finish the job.A nasty business either way if you ask me.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 03:29:24 pm
content: Check your state laws. In Ohio, our law specifies a minimum distance of the gun from the head. I don't know why it matters from the standpoint of not causing excess pain, but be sure you are legal. I use a .22 LR in my Ruger single six to humanely get rid of trapped and a similar rifle for open field pests like groundhogs and raccoons. Feral pigs are not a problem in my area. I typically aim for the heart as it is less messy for trapped pests and rabies is a concern with raccoons. That is something you need to check for the feral pigs in your area.

author: 5U4GB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 04:07:08 pm
content: Quote from: Andy Chee on January 13, 2025, 05:39:30 amThe specific item the OP needs is a captive bolt pistol, however this assumes you can get close enough to administer it. If you tried that with the wild pigs here you'd end up with missing limbs and/or internal organs.I think the OP's best bet would be to ask in a hunting forum.(Just checked and apparently bolt gun is another name for a captive bolt pistol, so we're talking about the same thing).

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 06:05:07 pm
content: I know carbon dioxide is used but here is a fact most folks don't know. The buildup of carbon dioxide is the trigger mechanism that causes you to take the next breath. It IS NOT the lack of oxygen. The build up of carbon dioxide will trigger the suffocation reflex and isn't pretty. Argon is absolutely a humane euthanizing gas. The subject will die from lack of oxygen but will slip into a peaceful uncontious state first without any sense of anxiety or trauma. This lesson was learned years ago when scuba divers unknowingly swapped their argon tank (used for drysuit inflation) with their bail-out air tank. This happened when divers were using 'what they could rig up cheaply'. It is an almost impossible mistake to make in recent times.

author: NaDobraNich
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 07:01:23 pm
content: There is a low tech formerly-Chinese now-American approach to this. Classic overthinking..... Unless feral pigs was a euphemism, in that case no one wants to be part of this anymore!

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 07:17:23 pm
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 13, 2025, 01:01:41 pmBig bore air gun? Ammo is a bit expensive though.Nitrogen foam seems to be an up and coming solution for euthanasia. It could probably be done with a small firefighting foam system, but there's no protocol for small scale use yet. Maybe some agricultural college would be interested in creating one, but that would be a long term solution.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 07:30:00 pm
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 13, 2025, 01:01:41 pmHow so?Nevertheless, you should not be asking an electronics forum for advice on this topic. You need to ask an appropriate expert authority, such as state animal control authorities.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 07:31:57 pm
content: Definitely shoot it in the head, as others have said.Regarding CO2: I believe it depends on the concentration. At very high levels, it's more humane, since it has an asphyxiating effect, similar to an inert gas such as nitrogen, but at lower levels, it causes a feeling of drowning, which is much more unpleasant.What are you going to do with the carcass?If it's disease free, I would eat it. Obviously I'd make sure it's very well cooked and I wouldn't sell the meat for a profit, but give it to friends and family. Dog food can be made from part people don't want to eat and the bones can be ground to make bonemeal for the garden. I would feel more comfortable eating a wild animal, than one from a large farm where it has been pumped full of hormones and antibiotics.If it was diseased, then I'd either burn it, or dig a very deep hole and bury it. It would be expensive to pay someone to dispose of it for you.Oh and one important thing is:don't eat the brain and spinal cord as they can harbour nasty prion diseases which don't get destroyed by cooking.

author: golden_labels
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 07:35:35 pm
content: I agree this topic doesn’t belong to an electronics forum. OP seem to have no experiemce and knowledge in the subjects involved. So it’s likely to end up not in humane killing, but in grotesque animal cruelty or injury to humans. However, there are two things to say regarding gasesand humans.One important for own safety. It’s not only argon. Any biologically inert gas has the same effect and may lead to consciousness loss so fast you’ll not have time to realize something is off. That includes nitrogen. Remember while urbexing. Remember if working with gases in closed rooms. Half a minute and you’re out. If nobody’s around, you are dead or worse.The second thing: while causing consciousness loss is relatively easy, death is not. If there is enough oxygen in mixture, carbon dioxide buildup in blood will continue and that may cause the animal — including a human — to regain consciousness. If not, it is very likely leading not to death, but permanent damage to organs. Most notably the brain. Which is why you neither want building amateur asphyxation chambers for animals, nor trying the helium bag on yourself.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 07:39:52 pm
content: Quote from: CaptDon on January 13, 2025, 06:05:07 pmYes, the lack of a blood oxygen sensor in most higher animals, including humans, is a bit of an evolutionary oversight which can cause death by hypoxia. It is a particular danger where Liquid Nitrogen dewars are being used in labs. There's no need to use Argon at atmospheric pressure, in fact it might feel a bit dense when breathed. Argon is used when diving because Nitrogen becomes narcotic at depth. Nitrogen is cheaper and just as effective - most of the atmosphere is Nitrogen anyway, you just need to lose the oxygen and keep a small flow going to prevent a CO2 buildup. If anything, the pig would go out on a bit of a hypoxic high.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 08:01:30 pm
content: Feral pigs have become a quite huge problem in some area's of the US. From what I understand those pigs are a hybrid with the sturdyness of wild pigs, with fast breeding rate of the domesticated pigs. Shooting seems to be the best option. I've seen a bunch of youtube video's, and when shot properly death seems to be instant.For the bigger picture, with "normal" hunting, you can keep their numbers down, but you won't get rid of the problem. I've also seen a few youtube video's about a more thorough approach. Apparently the idea is to feed them for a while without hunting, so they get more comfortable and relaxed, and after some time (a few months I think) the feeding pen gets remotely closed when it's verified that all the animals (including piglets) are in the pen. Apparently (according to the youtuber who made that promotional video) it works so good that you're completely rid of the problem altogether. But I guess that eventually pigs will migrate back into your area.But attempting to DIY some electrocution gadget is not going to work.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 09:58:14 pm
content: CO2 v. nitrogen v. argonCO2 causes hyperventilation and a feeling of suffocation. We once had a walk-in incubator for blood cultures that had 5% CO2. You got in and got out pretty quickly.Nitrogen and argon are both great asphyxiants. Neither causes a sensation of suffocation, but nitrogen is probably better. There are very few reports from those who have been asphyxiated with either, as expected. So, this is theory. Nitrogen is more soluble and causes narcosis (e.g., raptors of the deep), probably by interfering with nerve junctions. Argon probably doesn't. Those states using asphyxiation for capital punishment have chosen nitrogen. It's also cheaper. I don't think the complexity of using either to off a feral pig is justified.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 10:14:15 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on January 13, 2025, 09:58:14 pmI don't think we can use the word "better". Suffocation in an oxygen-deprived atmosphere is a significant cause of industrial accents. A worker enters an enclosed space like the interior of a tank and collapses unconscious without a word. A co-worker gets worried and follows after to rescue their colleague. Drops dead also.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 10:28:42 pm
content: I think it's reasonable to createsmall scale high expansion foamprotocols as an alternative to shooting for captured pests, using minimally adapted foam firefighting equipment (COTS and relatively cheap) and used by lay people. Feral pigs are a huge problem and being caught on a massive scale.Obviously the protocol should be developed by experts, but getting overly zealous with equipment and operator certification but somehow being perfectly okay with guns seems weird to me. Guns aren't exactly safe.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 10:36:41 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on January 13, 2025, 10:14:15 pmI think it is entirely appropriate to use the word "better" as a description of various means of purposeful asphyxiation. Arguably, death is always unpleasant. No one knows. But the sensation of suffocation from CO2 induced unconsciousness is much worse than unconsciousness caused by nitrogen. There are experiments to show that.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 10:37:15 pm
content: Quote from: Marco on January 13, 2025, 10:28:42 pmThis is the US. Kinder Eggs are illegal but I can buy a Browning .50-cal rifle if I like--or even the machine gun if I get all the paperwork. Feral hogs are a scourge and I've no problem with shooting them all. Safely, of course.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 10:42:04 pm
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on January 13, 2025, 10:37:15 pmApparently gunfire every day upsets the game animals though.

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 11:21:22 pm
content: Well, I want to thank everyone for their comments and I guess I should have asked what amount of dc battery current is required to produce 300vac at 5 amps and left out the part about the pigs. My fault for being straightforward about what I’m trying to accomplish since I’m afraid it caused everything to go off the rails. For those that don’t have to deal with hundreds if not thousands of wild hogs destroying agricultural crops and making fields so rough a tractor has a hard time driving across them, this probably does not make sense. We have a large pit that the dead animals go in, skin sliced so the buzzards can access the meat and the other varmints can clean up the rest. Since deer hunting is the main activity on our property, shooting pigs with a suppressed rifle causes a great deal of disturbance to the deer and other game animals and the6 all go nocturnal. Pigs are relatively smart and become trap wary if even one escapes, so it’s very hard work trying to trap, hunt or otherwise find ways to get rid of them. In the off season hunters come in with dogs and kill the pigs with knives, not a sport I have the balls for at 75. All that said, is there a way to use 1, 2, 3 or so 12 v batteries to produce 300vac at 5 amps and how would you do it? Again, I appreciate all of the help and suggestions and I apologize for too many details.Thanks, Perdido

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2025, 11:34:18 pm
content: I do sympathise with you Perdido and I do think you came here with the best intentions. There are a lot of people who might read this topic and think "what the actual fuck", but the reality is, there are pests in all parts of the world and they are dealt with in various ways. People who grew up in the city, or haven't really been around wild animals or farms tend to have a "poor piggy" reaction. It can be a sensitive topic, but I do agree with Dave, perhaps this isn't the best place to find the answers you're looking for. You probably need a specialist.

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 12:02:02 am
content: Thanks, and I really understand where I offered too much information. I’ve tried vets, wildlife officials, game managers, etc. and they are as frustrated as I am regarding our wild pig problem. My first thought was to discuss this with some of my local folks who work in the electrical field and that’s where I got the suggestion to come to an electronics forum.i Texas has a much worse problem than we do and the cattle forums are also looking for an answer and this forum popped up in a similar discussion. I’m just looking for the nuts and bolts of how to get the power I need from a battery or batteries and I felt like a forum like this would have that expertise.Thanks, Perdido

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 12:12:30 am
content: To electrocute them you will have to capture them. So why not do what slaughterhouses do, at large scale, which you will also have to do? Run them into a squeeze chute. Stun them. A sledgehammer blow to the head is the traditional method, which I understand is now usually modified by a cartridge enhanced hammer which requires less operator skill. And then slit their throats.I will repeat what several here have said. Electrocution won't work for you. It isn't humane. It requires significant equipment. And unless you implement many things that will let a better method be used will expose you to a great deal of danger from a potentially lethal animal.Again, killing large animals in quantity has been done for years. Look to the people who do it for answers.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 12:17:12 am
content: The answer was given sevral post back,an inverter .As for battery size 300v and 5A will require a minimum of 125A at 12v or 62.5A at 24v.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 12:34:22 am
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on January 14, 2025, 12:12:30 amDIY equipment for this is silly, but they do make devices to first stun pigs across the head and then electrocute it across the heart.https://www.hsa.org.uk/killing-mammals-using-electricity-two-stage-application/killing-mammals-using-electricity-two-stage-application

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 12:37:36 am
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 13, 2025, 11:21:22 pmI think the easiest way with off-the-shelf stuff would be two batteries with a large 24V to 240V inverter followed by an appropriate (and pretty big) transformer. I'd recommend you consider a higher voltage as those things are pretty thick skinned. Different animals have different susceptibility to electric shock (horses notably are very susceptible and easily killed) and IDK where pigs rank.

author: Analog Kid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 01:02:47 am
content: I am certainly no expert on anything having to do with handling large wild animals.But it seems really obvious to me that the OP's idea of electrocuting these porcine pests is absurd. Leaving aside whether or not it's humane, how in the world is someone going to be able to get into a position where they can safely (to themself) apply the electricity to the animal? You're certainly not gonna chase them down and then somehow administer a lethal shock while the two of you are on the run.The only scheme that could possibly work is the idea described below of building some kind of structure to impound them, which brings up all kinds of problems.The OP claims that nobody he knows of has a real solution to this problem; yes, it's a knotty problem with a lot of "gotchas", but it's hard to believe that nobody out there, including the fish, game and wildlife agencies, have no solutions to this widespread problem.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 01:08:12 am
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 14, 2025, 12:02:02 amYou didn't offer too much information. It is impossible to answer questions when insufficient information is given.This link provided by Marco is relevant and useful:https://www.hsa.org.uk/killing-mammals-using-electricity-two-stage-application/killing-mammals-using-electricity-two-stage-applicationNote from this:- It is a two person job.- It requires special equipment (and training in how to use it) to ensure a successful outcome.It follows that if you try to make something yourself it is not likely to work.Yes, shooting the free animals with a rifle is likely to be noisy and disruptive. But you said the animals were trapped? In which case you don't need a rifle, you need a more specialized piece of abattoir equipment like a bolt gun or a stun gun. People have been slaughtering animals for thousands of years. The traditional method still works: a blow on the head to stun the animal, and sever the arteries in the neck so it bleeds to death while unconscious.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 01:24:00 am
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 13, 2025, 11:21:22 pmIn the simplest sense, this is easily answered: 300 volts x 5 amps = 12 volts x 125 amps = 1500 watts.So a simple answer would be a 1500 watt inverter with a 240 volt output. For 300 volts, if that is truly needed, you are less likely to find such a thing off the shelf.Also, it doesn't seem like 5 amps is really needed, only 1-2 amps seems sufficient.The main electrical problem is that there is no such electrical device that can force an output of 300 volts and 5 amps. What happens is that the device outputs 300 volts, and then the resistance of the circuit decides how much current will flow, by Ohm's law.For example, if the inverter outputs 240 volts and the hog has a resistance of 350 ohms, then the current will be 240 / 350 = 0.7 amps. The hog will not be sufficiently stunned.To overcome this problem, professional stunning devices vary the voltage to provide the required current. Making such a device is hard or impractical for a regular person. Buying a professionally designed one is feasible.QuoteA crossbow?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 02:08:51 am
content: Not sure about your game but if you were wanting to go after soda bottles, I have your answer.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2toGMWAsA3E

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 02:58:16 am
content: This whole thing seems extraordinarily ridiculous.We're talking about feral pigs. They are not going to sit still while you attach electrodes to them. They are not going to walk indoors so you can gas them and you won't be able to do that outdoors while they run and prance. You won't be able to heard them into a location, or get close enough to them, to use a bolt gun.Hunting or trap & shoot are the only ways. Well, you could sedate them with tranquilizer darts then dispatch them at a convenient place, but that isn't going to be cheap.

author: antenna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 03:01:01 am
content: Bait and BOOM, get them all at once.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 03:14:35 am
content: I don't buy that disease is a problem either. They should not be any more diseased than any other wild animal. There are innumerable sources on the internet, including government sources, that state wild pigs are safe to eat if proper field dressing and cooking practices are followed.According to Wikipedia:QuoteCDC guidelines:Quote

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 04:01:59 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on January 14, 2025, 02:58:16 amhttps://youtu.be/8U3KEvtWRak?t=480

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 04:09:18 am
content: Quote from: Marco on January 14, 2025, 04:01:59 amLOL! Touche.But they did trap them fist, and left the slaughtering to pros.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 04:11:01 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on January 14, 2025, 02:58:16 amThis! And this is why the various state agencies are of limited help. They are smart, and learn quickly of dangerous (to them) situations. OP says he has trapped them. It can be done, but not easily. Once in a suitable enclosure they can be forced into a confined area. But the suitable enclosure isn't cheap or easy. They are strong and need I remind you, smart. They will find and exploit weak spots. At the ground, at gates, at posts. They will learn about permanent facilities so your magic fence has to be easily portable, probably also need to be de odorized and camouflaged.If it was easy this wouldn't be a widespread and growing problem.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2025, 08:55:49 am
content: A visit to the local slaughterhouse can reveal best practice but with a # of pig traps to attend to, dragging good 'despatching' equipment might get old quick.Feral hogs are nasty and dangerous beasts and the only safe way to handle them at close quarters is with a rifle, and a suppressed one if your state permits them so to avoid disturbing other more desirable game.A visit to your local outfitter will suggest a low report firearm, appropriate ammo and suppressor to fit it.In my world a 22 Magnum with solids would be the minimum I would consider for this close range work with shots placed in the ear hole.Good luck with battling your Hog plague.

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 01:09:10 pm
content: Everyone’s given me something to think about and I’ve modified my plans accordingly. Instead of using electricity to kill the pigs in a trap, I’ve decided to make an electrified trap that can be triggered remotely while watching the pigs in real time. I think it will give me a better chance for success and remove the danger factor for me.Thanks for all of your comments, Perdido

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 03:08:58 pm
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 15, 2025, 01:09:10 pmHope you do a better job than the pro's.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_TaferoI suggest not making any videos of your attempts or leave any other evidence. Even posting to public forums I would imagine could be used against you. Check into your local laws to see if you can be prosecuted for inhumane treatment of animals.Where I grew up, drunken idiots with guns would show up from other parts of the state. So I'm not suggesting use of a gun is more humane but in the right hands and with practice. Depending where in the USA you live, you may have other laws about use of firearms. Some areas I lived would not allow the use of center fire high power rifles. The local DNR should be able to help answer any questions you have.No matter what you decide, educate yourself first. As for using electrocution, it sounds like you do not have the skills to work on such a system in the first place. Posting about such a system in the beginners area may be frowned upon. I sense the wild hogs and Darwin may take the victory on this one.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 03:12:24 pm
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 15, 2025, 01:09:10 pmIt almost sounds like you really want to see them suffer.I really wish you would not do this.

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 05:15:12 pm
content: Among other things, I’m a licensed vet specializing in food animals. I’ve dispatched a lot of livestock and wild animals.Except for the very young, wild hogs are powerful, dangerous animals and trying to confine them for conventional euthanasia (captive bolt, gas, electrocution, injection, etc.) is dangerous for the operator and the hogs. Confinement of any kind is very upsetting to these wild animals. And proper confinement equipment is expensive. Some of the euthanasia methods listed above are actually considered stunning, not killing. Exsanguination or bilateral pneumothorax are required to finish the job.Once the hogs are confined in any way, even a large corral or trap, they are going to be upset. Most humane thing is to kill them ASAP without further handling. If at all feasible, a high-power rifle (not a 22LR or .177!) should be used by an experienced marksman. Keep in mind when handling wild hogs, dead or alive, they can carry diseases or ectoparasites transmissible to humans or other animals, especially livestock. Take appropriate precautions. Follow local rules and laws in all processes from trapping to carcass disposal.Mike

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 05:28:46 pm
content: I thought y’all would get a kick out of this! No, I don’t have the electrical skills to do this…the most I’ve ever done is install an electric fence around my property and that has worked out great. It gives the ornamental plants a chance to become established before the deer devour them. Given that my yard is just short of 3 acres it was inexpensive and simple to do, bought everything from Tractor Supply. I’ve attached a couple of backyard pictures and one of the hog trap with 2 unlucky victims.Thanks again, Perdido

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 05:59:54 pm
content: Quote from: calzap on January 15, 2025, 05:15:12 pmGetting shot one by one isn't an ideal way to go either. Everything is a compromise.I think that small scale high expansion nitrogen foam has a lot of promise, it could even be used directly on the capture pen at the cost of using more nitrogen. Pull a tarp first, the foam is forgiving for leaks. The equipment necessary is mostly COTS firefighting stuff.

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 06:45:21 pm
content: Except for the very young, wild hogs are powerful, dangerous animals and trying to confine them for conventional euthanasia (captive bolt, gas, electrocution, injection, etc.) is dangerous for the operator and the hogs.Even the very young are pretty strong. The 60-100 pounders (small) that are pictured will charge you repeatedly and actually move the cage each time!

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 06:57:42 pm
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 15, 2025, 05:28:46 pmIs that the complete size of your property ?If so consider a good electric fence installation using a mains powered energiser with an output of 20+ Joules.2 or 3 low wires should be sufficient to control hogs yet still allow deer to easily hop over it.In some areas in NZ wild hogs are a problem also but can be controlled with hot wires added to existing fences, which here are 7 or 8 wires and battens every 600mm or so.The trick is the height placement of the bottom wire but where no fences exist, 6-8' above the ground should work well.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2025, 08:13:23 pm
content: For the sake of the animal I'd urge you to use a 12ga shotgun with a solid slug to kill them. I can't see how this will disturb the deer in any way (other than momentarily).

author: antenna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 12:41:41 am
content: Here in northern minnesota, we dont have a hog problem yet, but a big herd has been reported just 80 miles north of us in canada. For how widespread of a problem they are, I am wondering something. Is the bacon no good? I would think free bacon ham and pork chops running around would go quick. I am not excited to hear they are getting close to my home, but is there a reason these things are not being eaten? There seems to be no shortage of people on welfare and going to the food shelf, so why (other than religion) don't these communities have a big pig roast?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 01:17:49 am
content: Quote from: antenna on January 16, 2025, 12:41:41 amSomething of a puzzle. People have no problem eating wild deer, but are scared of wild pigs. There is a fear that the pigs may have parasites or diseases and so forth, so that handling them or butchering them might be hazardous. I'm not sure why wild pigs should be very different from other game animals. Farmers allow domestic pigs to roam freely and forage in woodland areas and that doesn't seem to be a problem.I did read advice that if the meat is well cooked it should be safe to eat.

author: antenna
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 02:15:28 am
content: Quote from: IanB on January 16, 2025, 01:17:49 amI thought that was true for all pork, even the commercially raised stuff. I didn't know if maybe it was tougher from all the running they do or if it was a flavor thing. Maybe it is such a problem that the people motivated to do so simply cannot eat their way out of the problem. I will certainly be trying it when they come to my area.

author: amiq
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 02:20:29 am
content: I would have thought wild meat of any sort would be safer than farmed stuff in the US...

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 10:41:45 am
content: Call me cynical, but the authorities face pressure from the meat industry, so it's no surprise they want to discourage people from eating wild pork, which is bad for profits.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 12:41:28 pm
content: I don't think anyone should consider butchering for food any wild animal that might carry rabies. From Google AI,QuoteRabies is still almost 100% fatal in humans.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 12:50:05 pm
content: QuoteDon't think theirs much chance of porky leaping off the plate to bite ya after he's spent a couple of hours in the oven at gas mark 4.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 12:55:48 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on January 16, 2025, 12:41:28 pmWhy?A person normally gets rabies when bitten. The greatest risk of contracting it is during capture and slaughter, which you have to do anyway, not butchery and eating the meat. Take the usual precautions against getting cut during butchery, and cook the meat thoroughly and the risk is negligible.It's normally fairly obvious an animal is rabid and contagious. Asymptomatic animals are less of a risk. If the animal is showing rabis symptoms, then obviously don't eat it. You might have to report it to the authorities, who might send out a professional to slaughter it and dispose of the body.If you're scratched, bitten or cut yourself during capture, slaughter, butchery etc. and you think you might be infected, then thoroughly wash the wound with antiseptic or stong detergent for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. They might give you the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin, which are expensive and painful, but is the only thing which can stop you from dying, if you have it, but have yet to develop symptoms.EDIT: I just noticed Google AI, the leader in misinformation. As mentioned in my post: the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin are a low risk and high efficacy treatment, so long as you get it before showing symptoms.

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 02:09:12 pm
content: Our home is just shy of 3 acres, the farm is 950 acres. I’ve already fenced in the yard to give the shrubs a chance to get established.

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 02:29:34 pm
content: As far as feral hogs go, they are not as tasty as their domestic counterparts and they carry a wide variety of diseases. I’ve tried to eat them, but never again! Our state laws prohibit transportation of live feral hogs due to spread of disease and once they are killed they have to be bled out and processed very quickly, something we are not able to do. In cold weather they can live in a trap for a couple of days, but the law states that you must physically check the traps within 24 hrs and do something with the pigs. We donate a lot of venison by way of the deer processors which goes to the local food bank, but the processors won’t touch a wild hog. In warm weather the hogs will die within a few hrs from the stress of being trapped and you better not be late taking them out if you ever want to use that trap again. The smell of dead pigs is nauseating, something you won’t soon forget! They are a very destructive beast, breed at a very young age and have no natural predators. Poisons are being developed that target feral pigs and I think they’ve been approved by a couple of states and I believe Australia where they are a big problem. It’s an encapsulated sodium nitrite that bonds with their hemoglobin and quickly suffocates them, but special bait stations are used and only by licensed individuals. If it becomes legal in Alabama I may sit for the exam and become licensed to keep the cost at a level we can afford. Study up on feral pigs and you’ll see what we’re up against.Perdido

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 02:45:26 pm
content: @Zero999I specifically said butchering, not eating cooked meat. That is, if you kill an animal that may have rabies, just dispose of it. When I capture/kill raccoons, I let stay awhile to be sure they are dead, then wear disposable gloves and get rid of the carcass. That may be excessive care with respect to the gloves, but raccoons are probably the most likely source where I live.I doubt that you have any field experience diagnosing rabies in pigs or raccoons. It is not always obvious:https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/diseases/rabies.html#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20rabies%20can%20vary,of%20fear%2C%20or%20excessive%20aggression.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 03:01:54 pm
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 16, 2025, 02:09:12 pmRight......hog proof fencing of a block that size is a significant undertaking !Is the terrain good ?Maybe focus on doing some each year until you close the ring boundary.For a property that size you'll need a boundary road to check on an electric fence periodically and plan to feed the fence from each end to minimise the voltage drop.Oh and forget a 20+ Joule energiser.....get the largest you can !Running a 40+ Joule unit here to have sufficient power to burn off weeds and still give cattle a good belt but we have several miles of internal hot wire fencing too and most of the boundary hot also.Yours is a unique opportunity to fence hogs out and still allow the venison to roam freely.....

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 03:10:39 pm
content: Didn't Feral Pig Euthanasia once top the Norwegian Death Metal chart?

author: Perdido
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 04:15:46 pm
content: This map might explain why fencing would be difficult and ineffective. A lot of the property floods on occasion and what ever fence you install would be gone in short order.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 04:37:09 pm
content: QuoteMmmmm black pudding

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 04:39:57 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on January 16, 2025, 04:37:09 pmKeep it purehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_blood_curd

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 05:00:09 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on January 16, 2025, 02:45:26 pmI still stand by my point that getting rabies from butchery is much less likely compared to being bitten, which is more likely during handling and slaughter. Deer can also carry rabies and are widely eaten, yet there aren't many reports of them infecting humans, compared to canines who have powerful teeth and will bite, drawing blood.QuoteYes, that's true, you don't know for sure. The only way to tell if an animal is infected is to kill it and take a sample of its brain for laboratory testing. It's still true that if the animal doesn't have any obvious symptoms is much less likely to infect you, compared to one foaming at the mouth.

author: golden_labels
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 05:42:28 pm
content: Quote from: coppice on January 16, 2025, 04:39:57 pmSo the thread may now be hijacked to spread local cuisine?KaszankaSalceson

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 06:44:22 pm
content: Quote from: Zero999 on January 16, 2025, 10:41:45 amYea, you are cynical. The effort in getting and preparing wild meat means that so few people will do it that it is not worth worrying about. For anyone that really has a taste for it you can buy it anyway and people will choose the easier option.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 08:28:44 pm
content: Rabbit or squirrel?https://youtu.be/WlWR5gV3800?t=145

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2025, 01:04:38 am
content: Quote from: Perdido on January 15, 2025, 05:28:46 pmSorry, nope, that's it, posting dead animal pics is not welcome here. And there has been no electronics discussion for a while.Thread locked.