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Aerial Assault In Wild Hog War

The Feds brought in a helicopter and a shotgunner for a week-long operation that killed more than 400 wild hogs at Di-Lane WMA.

Tyron Morris | May 15, 2018

The first mention of an upcoming operation to kill wild hogs from a helicopter on Di-Lane Plantation WMA piqued my interest instantly. That first mention came from one of my wife’s cousins. He has property adjacent to Di-Lane and had just signed a release to allow his property to be included in the targeted area.

My wife and I have property close by, as well, but we were just outside of the target area.

Rocky Creek forms our back property line and flows only a short distance before entering Di-Lane. Hogs have been using creek bottoms like that as they have steadily spread their destructive habits throughout this area where we live. Our property has been invaded just like all our neighbors, and anything to get rid of the hogs was welcomed. Getting rid of them with a helicopter was pure excitement.

Many of us have seen videos or at least heard of the helicopter hog hunts in Texas, and the idea of a buzzing chopper with a hunter strapped in ripping off endless rounds is what I imagined. I wanted to be a part of this, or at least cover it for GON.

A few emails and phone calls got me connected to I.B. Parnell, a biologist with Georgia’s Wildlife Resources Division. Conversation with Parnell led to my email introduction to Matt Ondovchik, a USDA biologist and Feral Swine Coordinator. I began to get some insight on when the ‘hunt’ was to get started.

The sounds of a helicopter and shots being fired could be heard around Di-Lane WMA the first week of March as U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel targeted wild hogs from the air. The reported tally was 417 wild hogs killed.

The sound of a helicopter on an early March Monday morning in the direction of Di-Lane was soon interspersed

with gun fire. Shortly, from across Rocky Creek, the sound of steady buzzing and numerous shots told me hogs had been located and the action must be pretty hot.

Quickly, I finished my task and jumped in the truck to make my short trip to Di-Lane. Even as I headed for the truck, the helicopter buzzed and more shots rang out.

By the time I arrived at the lodge at Di-Lane’s headquarters, the helicopter had landed, and I could see it on the lawn of one of the distant houses; in fact, the house I lived in when our family farmed Di-Lane, pre-WMA some 30-odd years ago. That house is now known as the hut, and the hut was home for the USDA personnel for the weeklong hog-eradication operation.

With permission from Ondovchik and John Bearden, DNR Wildlife Supervisor, I was allowed access up the closed road. It still feels a bit weird having to ask for permission to go where I used to take access for granted.

The bright red ‘whirly-bird,’ my term for any relatively small four-seater helicopter, looked small sitting on the lawn. The blades weren’t nearly as wide as I thought they would have been. The lawn wasn’t that large, but the copter easily fit in it.

I introduced myself to the air crew and supporting ground crew, which included USDA Wildlife Services and Georgia DNR personnel.

From the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the crews included: biologist Elizabeth Miller; biologist and feral swine specialist Michael Heldreth; pilot Allen Beghtol, and the person who everyone seems jealous of, Ondovchik, who was the man behind the gun.

Georgia DNR personnel included: John Bearden, Wildlife Supervisor; Lee Taylor, Regional Supervisor­—Game Management; John Viscuso, Di-Lane Area Manager; and biologist I.B. Parnell.

Shortly after our conversation began, I realized my perspective of this aerial control effort as a “hog hunt” was inaccurate. These folks were all business. This was not a game where success was optional. Everyone was guarded during our conversation, but I was soon enlightened to separate hunts in Texas from their aerial operation. This wasn’t sport; it was another tool in the USDA and DNR’s arsenal to reduce feral swine populations. The goal here was to eliminate or minimize associated damage to agriculture and livestock, natural resources and native wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Wild hogs will eat just about anything they encounter.

During conversation with the crew, I quickly learned that safety was the first priority with all aerial operations. All USDA Wildlife Services crew members have completed NRA certifications and successfully completed an initial training through their Aviation Training and Operations Center (ATOC), which includes extensive training in aerial wildlife damage management operations. All crew members must pass firearms safety and proficiency qualifications set by the agency, as well as comprehensive background and drug testing. Wildlife Services requires annual recurring training and proficiency checks to all pilots and crew members involved in aerial operations.

The aerial operation on Di-Lane was just another facet of USDA Wildlife Services, which has been assisting GA DNR in the past with an integrated control program which incorporated large corral style traps in conjunction with strategic firearm removals when appropriate.

The operation was not limited to Di-Lane Plantation WMA. A total of approximately 30,000 private and public acres in Burke and Jenkins counties were included in a hog-control area that stretched from just north and west of Di-Lane in Burke County, down the Rocky Creek and Buckhead Creek drains to near Magnolia Springs State Park in Jenkins County.

Ondovchik said, “USDA, APHIS received funding from Congress, beginning in 2014, to implement a collaborative, national feral swine damage management program to minimize damage caused by feral swine for the protection of agriculture and livestock, natural resources, property and human health and safety. The APHIS national approach, led by the Wildlife Services program, involves reducing feral swine numbers to minimize damage in states where populations are large and widely distributed, and eliminating feral swine in states where populations are low or newly emerging. This initiative is the first coordinated, nationally led effort to manage the damage caused by feral swine and stop the expansion of this invasive species.”

GON first reported on USDA’s targeting of wild hogs in this area of Georgia after a Jan. 12, 2016 Feral Hog Management Workshop organized by the Brier Creek Soil & Water Conservation District. About 65 farmers, landowners and sportsmen attended that 2016 workshop, where Ondovchik said Georgia received a slice of $20 million allocated to USDA to battle wild swine infestations. The article about that workshop can be read online at www.gon.com/news/wild-hogs-in-georgia-targeted-by-usda.

According to USDA, utilizing the helicopter for control operations is extremely effective, but it works best in specific habitats during specific times of the year. It’s important to remember though, it is only one tool in a larger integrated control approach.

“Almost $100 million dollars in just agriculture is lost every year to feral swine in Georgia. Oftentimes farmers have to replant crops multiple times or experience major crop losses due to feral swine. Intensive, aggressive control programs are necessary to have an effect on the population and reduce the associated damage,” said Ondovchik.

The helicopter provides the advantage of allowing crew members to easily see, identify and confirm targets, thus avoiding any non-target animals. Entire groups of feral swine, or sounders, can be quickly removed without impacting sensitive habitats. The use of aircraft also reduces the need for boats, ATVs or vehicles where travel may damage sensitive habitats, or where rough terrain makes travel nearly impossible.

USDA and Georgia DNR personnel tested wild hogs that were killed for diseases that could be very damaging to domestic hog-farming operations.

DNR personnel and USDA biologists on the ground stayed in constant radio contact with the helicopter, so the biologists could draw blood samples from the downed animals. Feral swine are known to carry at least 30 viral and bacterial pathogens and many different parasites that can cause disease in humans, pets, livestock and wildlife. Disease transmission can occur through direct contact with feral swine, their feces and bodily fluids, by using food and water containers that have been contaminated by feral swine, or by eating raw, infected feral swine meat, organs or other tissues.

Hunters should wear gloves when handling feral swine carcasses or preparing raw meat to cook. It is advised to wash hands, equipment and work surfaces thoroughly when finished to minimize the risks of becoming infected. It is always recommended to cook the meat of a wild hog to an internal temperature of 160 degrees, as well.

The two diseases worth mentioning that USDA samples for and finds positive results throughout the state of Georgia are swine brucellosis and pseudorabies. A little info on both:

• Pseudorabies is an infectious disease caused by a herpesvirus. It is significant to the commercial swine industry because domestic swine in Georgia are considered pseudorabies-free. Infection in domestic swine often results in abortions or piglet deaths. Extensive research and money is spent annually to detect and prevent pseudorabies in domestic populations. There is no indication that pseudorabies has an adverse effect on wild hog populations. However, infected feral swine should be considered a potential threat to domestic livestock and hunting dogs and the presence should be noted. Although an important disease in swine, humans are not affected by this disease.

• Swine brucellosis is the second disease of note officials are concerned about in Georgia wild hogs. Swine brucellosis also poses no known adverse effect to wild swine populations, but it could affect the brucellosis-free status of the domestic swine in Georgia, should exposure to feral swine occur. The disease is caused by the bacteria Brucella suis and is primarily spread during reproduction. Unlike pseudorabies, swine brucellosis can be transmitted to humans. Infection typically occurs while handling, field-dressing or butchering feral swine. While human cases are rare, individuals handling and preparing feral swine are advised to wear proper protective gloves, practice good sanitation and thoroughly cook meat.

During this week-long intensive management operation, Di-Lane was closed to the general public. Only by special permission was I allowed access. I eagerly followed the DNR and USDA trucks shadowing the helicopter as we could hear, and only occasionally see, how the hogs were flushed from their hideaways.

From above, hogs were taken where ever they could be seen if they refused to leave heavy timber, even over the tall creek swamp. Beghtol deftly positioned the chopper so Ondovchik could use the specially approved shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot. This was not your typical shotgun, nor were the buckshot loads typcial. The buckshot were lead free, so they would not harm the environment, and they were frangible to reduce the chance of ricochet and collateral damage. The gun remained out of sight, in a confidential manner, so I wasn’t able to see or get pictures of it.

Still, it was exciting to be near the action as the helicopter maintained an element of surprise darting from one area to the other. The hogs may hold tight beneath the whirling blades, but the sound of the gun was enough to make them break from the briars and palmettos.

My ever-present question was always, “How may did you get?”

Finally, on the last day Ondovchik, in his ever present professional mannerism, gave me a final tally. The operation at Di-Lane resulted in 417 dead wild hogs.

Editor’s Note: The author wanted to offer special thanks to Matt Ondovchik, USDA biologist and Feral Swine Coordinator, for his input into this article.

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13 Comments

  1. GABIRDDOG on October 4, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    Just a follow up to this article. I have about 400+ acres on Buckhead Creek that was included in the 30,000 acres. Since this operation, we have seen only one Boar hog on camera in the last 60 days. We were seeing 20-40 per day per camera last fall. We killed 13 mature hogs and 10 piglets on this property alone during the 2017-2018 deer season. I hope that this will be a continuing operation every 3-4 years or as needed. Thanks again to Di Lane Personel, GA DNR, USFWS, and USDA for completing this operation.

  2. [email protected] on May 23, 2018 at 10:48 am

    Another idea…put state prisoners to work hauling, processing for the prison kitchens to reduce food costs. Give them something to do besides watching TV and repay their debt to society.

  3. hawghunter91 on May 23, 2018 at 6:32 am

    Me and my crew could have done for half the cost on what theu spent for the helicopter i mean we killed 96 in 2 nights

    • ckillmaster on May 23, 2018 at 12:14 pm

      Aerial gunning is actually one of the most cost effective methods when used in the right landscape.

      • hawghunter91 on May 23, 2018 at 12:52 pm

        Dang i didn’t i figure for the time of the pilot and the fuel for it would be expensive ive know we have knocked them back pretty good on all the farmers land we hunt but we also use thermal scopes and ARs



  4. rocket19 on May 22, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    Why not do this like Louisiana does Nutria? The program has been very affective and helps out locals. Put a $5 bounty on them and open the season. You can use dogs, nightvision, etc.. on all public lands anytime. Hunters all over Georgia would participate and I assure you many more than 415 would be killed. This would save taxpayer money, as I’m sure renting a helicopter for a week isn’t cheap, and the hog problem would be greatly impacted!

    • one hogman on May 22, 2018 at 4:43 pm

      Another option is expanding the season and firearms that can be used on WMAs anything is better than spending tax dollars to kill hogs on Georgia leased or owned land that should be open to the public

      • rocket19 on May 22, 2018 at 5:03 pm

        I agree! But WMA’s and their hunt dates and rules is a bunch of BS anyways! There’s 9 days of rifle season you can hunt, 6 of which are quota days, I’d say they’re real worried about the hogs, HA!



      • ckillmaster on May 23, 2018 at 12:10 pm

        That’s a common response, but you also have to consider the hog population has continued to grow despite having no closed season and no bag limits on private land (GA is 93% private). Hunting alone will not reduce the hog population, which is why multiple means of control are being used on our WMAs (hunting, trapping, aerial gunning). Hunting certainly helps, but it’s not efficient enough to control the population alone.



  5. one hogman on May 22, 2018 at 3:38 pm

    LOTS of good old boys would PAY good $$ to get to do this, WHY can the feds fly and burn up our tax $$ and it is illegal for private sector,?? that is just WRONG!!!!!

    • ckillmaster on May 22, 2018 at 3:58 pm

      It’s not illegal for the private sector, there are permits available to commercial pilots to do this on private land.

      • one hogman on May 22, 2018 at 4:40 pm

        Never heard of anyone doing it in Georgia, are there any?? Costs and restrictions must be a lot.



      • ckillmaster on May 23, 2018 at 12:00 pm

        No takers on the permit yet, but I’ve had several inquiries from pilots. I’m not sure what they’ll charge clients, that’s up to the free market. There is no fee for the permit. It’s not heavily restricted either, just common sense public safety rules.



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