By RUSSELL HUFFMAN
TheFlashToday.com
COMANCHE COUNTY (January 29, 2015) — “Boarzilla” turned into “HogGate” when a property custody hearing in Comanche determined the 790-pound hog captured by two hunters and their dogs belongs to a resident of nearby De Leon.
The well-documented story (first broken by The Flash Today) never laid claim to the animal having been a true “wild” pig, although it apparently takes very little time for a domestic hog to go “feral” (which is gone wild but not born that way).
The animal apparently fit the criteria of a “feral hog” for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which shared information about the huge animal’s capture on its Facebook page yesterday. The TPWD went so far as to add a link for readers concerning the $500 million dollars in crop damage done by feral hogs each year. http://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_w7000_0195.pdf
Comanche County Justice of the Peace Johnny Conine held a hearing and did some investigating of his own this week, when Cuco Pacheco, a farmer living near De Leon, laid claim to the animal and produced photographs of ear markings.
The nearly 800-pound swine is not easily moved around. Judge Conine recessed his court and traveled to Clyde, where the animal was being kept. His examination of the photos and the hog’s ear made the determination the animal belongs to Pacheco.
Admittedly it’s a bit of a disappointment for hunters Blaine Garcia and Wyatt Walton, because they won’t be getting the three dollars per pound they had hoped from a game ranch in Tennessee. They can reportedly invoice Pacheco (rumored to be $750) for the capture, transport and storage of the animal.
Considering how elusive the animals can reportedly be, the $750 price might just be a bargain. Pacheco, who has an 11-acre farm, was ordered to construct a pen capable of keeping his hog at home.
Regardless who takes custody of the pig, the story of the hunt and capture have quickly become legend. Two men, two dogs and 790-pounds of bacon is always going to be a great story around the campfire.
Notes: The story of the hunt is being read worldwide with The San Antonio Express News and The UK Daily Mail sharing it Wednesday and running pictures of the massive animal.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/outdoors/article/Nearly-800-pound-hog-caught-in-Texas-6043871.php
Good trailing, stalking, and capture. Live capture is definitely risky. Shooting is lots easier, I commend you for a job well done. Wish you success in your future hunting endeavors. Good Luck.from SHAWN RAY
Saw this trending on Facebook in NY 1/31
I knew there was something amiss when I saw the photo of the hog. To me, his tusks weren’t near big enough for his weight. I’m not a farmer and I know nothing about raising or catching hogs. That was just something I noticed. I’ve seen lots of hog captures on tv. These 2 men were very brave in my opinion to stalk this animal on foot with only 2 catch dogs. All in all, they did a very good job. I live in Texas and I know the kind of damage they do here in my home state and others, as well. However, I am glad hoggy found his way home 🙂
So, what are you going to do with this hog >> eat him or pet him?
This little piggy cried, wee, wee, wee, all the way home
Hope he’s kept as a pet