This digital collection includes presentations given at the 8th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium held in 2014 for the symposium theme: Wild and Feral Pigs.
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Browsing Wild and Feral Pigs by Author "Harper, Erin E., speaker"
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Harper, Erin E., speaker; Miller, Craig A., speaker; Higginbotham, Billy, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Wild pigs were first found in western Illinois in the 1990s. Since this time pig presence has been confirmed in 23 of Illinois' 102 counties and persistent populations exist in four counties. Problems associated with these animals include transfer of infectious diseases (e.g., pseudorabies) to domestic livestock, habitat destruction, and an absence of natural predators. In response to the spread of the wild pig population throughout the state, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is working to find the best management approaches for population control. To better understand landowner attitudes toward wild pigs and preferences for management approaches, we conducted a mail survey of 5,320 landowners who possess greater than one acre (.4 ha) of land from the 23 counties in which feral hogs had previously been reported to the IDNR and an additional 22 counties within close proximity to these counties. We received 3,061 (58%) usable questionnaires. Survey participants were asked attitudinal questions in relation to wild pigs and wild pig management. Responses were analyzed using Chi-squared tests, logistic regressions, and potential for conflict index (PCI2). We found significant differences (p < 0.001) between landowner type and targeted sharpshooting for both in the county where the respondents? land is located and on the respondents? land specifically. Discussion will focus on preferences for management based on personal attributes and attitudes, and potential for conflict index and what that means for the future management of wild pigs in Illinois.
