There’s one more thing Florida has to worry about. Wild boars aren’t social distancing
As if 2020 could get any worse.
Some Floridians are dealing with more than coronavirus, quarantine, campaign season and civil protests. Add wild boars to the mix.
In Lehigh Acres, in Lee County, these aggressive animals are not only a bother, but hitting people where it really hurts: their wallets.
Wild boars, in the height of mating season, are going to town in people’s yards, causing thousands of dollars in damage, NBC 2 first reported.
“This time of year, there are a lot of grubs in the yard. They’ll take somebody’s manicured yard and just dig big holes in it everywhere,” licensed trapper Mike Robberson told the TV station of the invasive species.
Boars are also frightening beasts, prone to chase humans who get in their way.
“They can be very aggressive,” Robberson said. “They’re gonna flip out on you.”
Nuisance wildlife in Florida is defined as wildlife that causes or is about to cause property damage, presents a threat to public safety, or causes an annoyance within, under or upon a building, Melody Kilborn of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told the Miami Herald.
What to do?
According to the FWC, wild boars or hogs can be hunted year-round without a permit for those so inclined.
“This species is popular to hunt and occurs in all 67 Florida counties,” says the agency’s website. “Wild hogs occupy a wide variety of habitats but prefer oak-cabbage palm hammocks, freshwater marshes and sloughs, and pine flatwoods. They can reach weights of more than 150 pounds and be five to six feet long. They usually travel in small family groups (sounders) or alone.”
Translation: Proceed with caution.
“Hunters may use dogs and any legal rifle, shotgun, crossbow, bow, pistol or air gun (including airbow),” adds the FWC. “There is no size or bag limit, and either sex may be harvested.”
