May 21, 2013
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering allowing
hunters in helicopters to shoot wild pigs at the Balcones
Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.
Refuge manager Deborah Holle on Monday told the Austin
American-Statesman that says feral hogs have been trapped and
killed during autumn hunts, but the pig population continues to
thrive and destroy habitat.
The refuge, with about 23,000 acres in Burnet, Travis and
Williamson counties, was formed to protect the habitat for two
endangered songbirds.
The service is considering amending the 2001 Feral Hog
Management Plan to allow aerial shooting.
The proposal would allow personnel from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to shoot feral hogs on refuge lands away from public
roads and developed areas.
