Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
No Result
View All Result
 
New Year, New FREE GUN FRIDAY! Enter to WIN the Smith & Wesson and Black Hills package.

Aerial Assault: Spec-Ops Vets Fighting War on Feral Hogs in Texas

Jay Langston by Jay Langston
January 29, 2018
in Culture, Lifestyle
0
Aerial Assault: Spec-Ops Vets Fighting War on Feral Hogs in Texas
0
SHARES
8
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
feral hogs hunting field
“Cedar Ridge Aviation patrols a hog- and coyote-rich 1,250-square-mile area approximately 80 miles north of Abilene, Texas.”
feral hogs hunting lake
feral hogs hunting helicopter
The Robinson R44 is a four-seat, single-engine light helicopter that has been produced by the Robinson Helicopter Company since the early 1990s. The R44 is based on the company’s two-seat Robinson R22, but it features hydraulically assisted flight controls as well as a two-bladed main rotor, a two-bladed tail rotor and a skid landing gear. The R44 was first flown on March 13, 1990, and it received FAA certification in December of 1992, with the first delivery in February of 1993.

feral hogs hunting pose
feral hogs hunting aiming

War’s unifying effect to rally in the support of a common cause is nothing new. However, those “causes” stretch the imagination. The fruit of those wars are just as unimaginable when the bullets are flying. But their unintended consequences from the aftermath lead to some strange circumstances years, decades and even centuries later. When 60 retired American special operations veterans gathered in Central Texas April 2, 2016, to wage a two-day battle against the Lone Star State’s feral hog population, they helped remedy a problem that stemmed from the Mexican- American War more than 170 years ago.

The feral hog population in Texas has long since passed the epidemic level, with a population estimated at 2 million and climbing. A trip back in time to the 1840s and Texas’ battle for independence from Mexico created the foundation for today’s wild hog epidemic.

When General Santa Anna marched into Texas, the inhabitants fled in all directions. Some took refuge in America and others in Mexico. What they left behind was their livestock, many in the form of domestic pigs. These feral hogs only made matters worse, seeing that early Spanish explorers had introduced hogs to Texas more than 300 years ago, and the normal practice was to allow the stock to range freely. Left to their own devices, these porcine survivalists thrived and expanded their populations.

Then, in the 1930s, Texas landowners introduced “Russian boars” or European wild hogs in scattered locations for hunting purposes. These “razorbacks” quickly interbred with the feral hogs, setting the stage for these living weapons of mass destruction. Feral hogs are unprotected, exotic, non-game animals. Therefore, they may be taken by any means or methods at any time of year. There are no seasons or bag limits, however a hunting license and landowner permission are required to hunt them.

Taking Flight

Enter Cedar Ridge Aviation, a company that oversees animal damage control on more than 800,000 acres near Knox City, Texas. And this is where Cedar Ridge’s owner, Dustin Johnson, coordinated a massive air assault on the feral hog population with the help of retired special operations veterans. Now in its third year, Semper Gratus, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has turned this bacon blowout into an annual fundraising event for wounded warriors and other worthy military-related projects.

Hunting Aoudad Sheep Browning X-Bolt Hell's Canyon Speed Rifle lead
RELATED STORY

Hunting Aoudad Sheep in Western Texas with a Browning X-Bolt Rifle

Hunting feral hogs from helicopters in Texas has spawned a growing niche market. However, taking care of business in this manner presents some challenging shooting scenarios. When asked about the quality of the gunners that went up during the three-day event, Johnson said, “These guys were the real deal. Several people who went up were former Green Berets, and they could shoot. I had one guy who emptied his AR-15, pulled out his pistol and killed three hogs with headshots from his pistol.”

To intensify the hog-eradication efforts and sell as many opportunities for fundraising purposes, Johnson augmented his flight time in his own Robinson R44 helicopter by hiring three more R44s and an MD 500 “Loach” from other aviation companies with experience in aerial animal control. This allowed Johnson to accommodate 10 shooters per hour.

At the end of the three-day mission, Semper Gratus supporters had flown 90 sorties and killed an impressive number of hogs—1,058 to be exact. A little rough math tells us that about 25 tons of pork hit the ground. Oftentimes, pork from these animal-control efforts gets processed and donated to local food charities.

The frenzied pace of the Semper Gratus bacon blowout is well above the norm for Cedar Ridge Aviation. Typically, Johnson sells a hunt for $1,350 per person. The price includes two hours of flight, one night at his lodge and three meals with drinks. Additional flight time is $600 per hour.

As mentioned, Cedar Ridge Aviation flies a Robinson R44 helicopter, which is a four-seat aircraft. Even though the airframe can accommodate three shooters and a pilot, two shooters is the best scenario for a quality experience. The pilot is seated in the front right seat, which allows a front-seat gunner on the left. The second-best gunner position is behind the pilot, covering the right side of the aircraft.

Controlling Feral Hogs

Cedar Ridge Aviation patrols a hog- and coyote-rich 1,250-square-mile area approximately 80 miles north of Abilene, Texas. When you fly with Johnson, you’re flying with a pioneer of today’s feral-hog-control methods. He helped write the Texas legislation that legalized the use of helicopters to control wild hogs.

Prior to the relaxation of aerial gunning laws, about the only animal damage control allowed was shooting coyotes in areas the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department had deemed as specific locations where whitetail and mule deer populations had been ravaged by predation.

I have personally seen the evidence numerous times where, left unchecked, coyotes can wipe out fawn crops year after year, leading to a total collapse in deer populations. Equally destructive, feral hogs can catch and eat young wildlife and decimate agricultural crops, causing millions of dollars in damage in a year’s time.

If you want to take part in a unique gunning experience and play a part in the war on hogs in Texas, check out Cedar Ridge Aviation. It will be one of the most fun experiences you can have with your clothes on.

For more information, visit cedarridgeaviation.com.

This article was originally published in spring 2017 issue of “Ballistic” magazine. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

Chris Hemsworth learns box breathing and other challenges in Limitless.

Use Box Breathing Like Chris Hemsworth to Calm Down & Make The Shot

The Savage Arms Horicon Marsh Veterans Hunt.

VIDEO: Savage Arms Horicon Marsh Veterans Hunt Heals Combat Vets

Shooting the Hornady 7mm PRC suggests it will be a great big-game round.

TESTED: Shooting the New Hornady 7mm PRC Rifle Cartridge

The Walter WMP impressed during shooting at Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous.

Shooting the Walther WMP With 15+ Rounds of .22 Magnum Punch

Load More

WATCH NOW: Night Shooter | Season 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Ballistic's Best Reader's Choice Winners

Winners Announced: Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice 2022

The votes are in! We've counted the ballots, and we're excited and impressed by you, the...

Read more

TRENDING

7 new products announced ahead of shot show 2023.

New Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

A top-quality chassis gives you adjustability and other features you need to make your long-range shooting more accurate and fun. These 7 top rifle chassis do it with class.

7 Top Rifle Chassis That Add Class & Accuracy to Your Long-Range Shoot

Affordable Precision Rifles 2018

19 Affordable Precision Rifles That Won’t Break the Bank

We tested 12 compact and micro compact pistols to determine the best carry gun.

Best Concealed Carry Pistols 2022: Compacts & Micros Dominate

PICK A CATEGORY

TRAINING & TACTICS SPOTLIGHT

The SecureIt Retrofit Kit helps organize gun safe storage.

DIY Upgrade With the SecureIt Gun Storage Steel 6 Gun Safe Retrofit Kit

Like many of you, my gun collection consists of more than one gun. In fact, it is significantly more than...

SHOWCASE: TRAINING AND TACTICS

Clearing Corners Gunsite Academy lead

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

Chris Hemsworth learns box breathing and other challenges in Limitless.

Use Box Breathing Like Chris Hemsworth to Calm Down & Make The Shot

zeroing in rifles and pistols

Zeroing Rifles & Pistols: Getting to & Maintaining Zeroed Sights

European Mount, DIY Euro Mount, Hunting, lead

How to Make a European Mount in 6 Steps

Team SIG Sauer's Lena Miculek fires a P365 and debates .380 vs 9mm.

VIDEO: SIG Sauer’s Lena Miculek Debates .380 Vs 9mm for Defense

Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting, pistol

The Guide to Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting

Follow this guide to better shooting on the move.

SHOOTING 101: 3 Keys to Getting Hits While Shooting on the Move

Understanding eye dominance and both eyes open shooting will help you get on target.

VIDEO: Understanding Eye Dominance for Better Accuracy & Speed

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Hornady Subsonic 7.62x39 launches a 255-grain bullet.

Hornady Subsonic 7.62×39 Ammunition Launches 255-grain Bullet, Quietly!

Hornady just announced the release of a very interesting new load, one we think hunters will jump all over....

site logo
The Premier Firearms & Survival Magazine

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • Ballistic Magazine

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
      • SIG Sauer
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • Videos
  • More
    • Free Gun Friday Sweeps
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Tactics & Training
    • Survival
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.