texas

Caught on Camera: Feral Hogs Cause Damage in Flower Mound

Feral hogs are not a new problem across North Texas, but one property owner in Flower Mound believes there may be more of them invading his neighborhood.

"What I've been told is they've been in this area quite a bit this year," Jim Woodcock said.

Woodcock has lived along Grapevine Lake for about five years and says he has seen the marks of feral hogs in the past, but he believes they're multiplying.

"We had some small spots previously but this year it's tenfold what we typically get," said Jim Woodcock.

Woodcock's backyard, which backs Grapevine Lake and property managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is heavily damaged.

"They'll get in here and it's called rooting โ€“ they'll stick their snouts into the dirt, trying get bugs and whatever nutrients they're trying to get from the ground, and in the process they'll tear up the yard," Woodcock said.

Woodcock reached out to the Town of Flower Mound for help, but says he was only given the number for someone with Texas Wildlife Services, a program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"There was no real clear direction or recommendation โ€“ it was give them a call and see if they can help you out," Woodcock said.

He's concerned the town isn't doing more to help.

"I don't know a lot about them,"Woodcock said. "What I do know is they don't have natural predators in this area and they multiply very quickly, so the two combined makes for a problem."

A spokeswoman for the Town of Flower Mound says those who call with feral hog issues are put in touch with a wildlife biologist with Texas Wildlife Services for guidance.

Flower Mound Animal Services doesn't have the training to handle the animals or the method of capture and dispose them, according to the city.

Texas Wildlife Services Wildlife Biologist Adam Henry tells NBC 5 he is providing guidance to help Woodcock keep the hogs off his property, which may include setting traps in the area.

"This is a mud pit. That's what it is โ€“ they turned it into mud pit," Woodcock said.

Woodcock said hunters have expressed interested in hunting the animals, but that's an idea he's not too interested in at this time.

Contact Us