“A&E Network presents "American Hoggers," a new original real-life series that follows the Campbell family and their struggle to rescue Texas residents and ranches from the devastating chaos caused by millions of invasive wild boars. The 8-episode half-hour series premieres August 16 at 10PM ET/PT.I just saw the trailer for this new show on A&E last night. I had to google it. My first thoughts were “These folks got to be from Texas.” I was right Central Texas.
Each episode of "American Hoggers" follows former Texas Ranger and legendary hog hunter Jerry Campbell, 64, his level-headed son, Robert, 28, and firecracker daughter, Krystal, 23, as they respond to those threatened by feral hogs. Located in the heart of Texas, the family dedicates itself to the front lines - riding horseback, driving a custom-rigged Jeep, using highly trained dogs with GPS tracking systems and employing good old-fashioned know-how to help those endangered by these destructive beasts. Clad in chaps and cowboy boots, the family sets out in each episode to square off against these extremely intelligent animals that are terrorizing helpless landowners.”
I think most people have the wrong ideal of what a feral hog is and don’t see them as dangerous or destructive.
I am going to stop here and first state that I have, will, and will continue to hunt these animals myself. The reason is simple for me. I like to eat them, They have the best tasting ribs you can find and home made tamales from slow cooked front shoulders are well as is heard around here “Slap your momma good.”
Don’t know what tamales are? You’re not from Texas. Those things they call tamales in California well that’s not tamales I don’t know what it is. Anyway it is cooked meat beef, pork, or chicken seasoned wrapped in corn dough and rolled in a dried corn husk and then baked. You have to remove the husk before you eat it. Traditionally made from the head meat of a pig or cow. But for my taste I like pork from the front shoulders of a wild pig the best. I’ll eat the other.
Back to the wild piggys, Not only are they some of finest eating pastures provide but also the most dangerous. They are super aggressive beast with huge front tusk that have no problem tearing you apart. 200 to 400 pound animals with hide and back fat that nearly possible to puncture. If attacked you can not hurt them only stop them and you better have a gun. They will run you down chasing and snapping their vicious teeth and tusk with the intent to kill. Pig are omnivores meaning they eat meat. In the wild the weak ones don’t survive the others will eat them bones and all.
There is only two things I fear while in the pastures rattlesnakes and wild pigs. Fortunately I don’t have very many accidental run ins but I have had a few.
Years back while looking for a cow that was soon to calf, I had to go in to one of the brush thickets. I had to crawl on my hands and knees to get in the thicket but once in they open up kind of like a room or small clearing. The brush has cattle paths that you have to duck way low to get through. They are like walking through a really screwed up maze crawling at times and ducking most of the time. It’s possible to get lost in these thickets if you get turned around. Cows don’t have no problem getting through them. They can bull doze their way through. I’m not so lucky.
I was about 20 minutes into this thicket and came to a small opening. I heard a some rustling in the brush on the other side. I knew this was the cow I was looking for so I went up to the brush and grabbed hold of a limb to get a look. A 400 pound boar with 6 inch tusk was three feet from me eyeing me down. In a flash he charged.
Now I would like to say I was brave and held my ground but really I was too scared to move. He whipped pass me bringing his tusk inches from my leg. He whirled around and took another pass and I could feel him rub up against my backside. I never turned around. Then he took off running.
I never moved a muscle. I was too scared. I think that was the only thing that saved me. Really I had no choice there was no way I could get out of the thicket without crawling. I was hemmed up in that opening where no way to run. After he left I was shaking like a leaf and made my way back to the truck. Thankful to make it out unhurt. It was the last time I went into a thicket with out a gun.
My Dad hunts thoughs little buggers too. He said they are mean as can be. I'm glad you weren't hurt.
ReplyDeleteThat's too close for comfort!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in AZ, I remember going to a javelina BBQ...it was put in the ground...I've never tasted anything so good!
The closest I ever got was out riding my horse in the desert outside of Marana with my dogs. We came across a few head and the dogs took off after them...moments later the dogs came back with the suckers chasin' them!! I was quite worried, but the dogs came back in a few minutes...without the javelina thank goodness!
Jerry Campbell has never been a Texas Ranger. He might have been a Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association special ranger. I believe this show is promoting this part completely incorrect.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lindsie for pointing this out. Here ia a link what a found on the matter.
ReplyDeleteJerry Campbell mistaken for Texas Ranger
I have known Jerry Campell since high school, there is no better man than Jerry, he is honorable, he is the real deal. Taught me to coon hunt and tope steers. He is the John Wayne of Brownwood Texas.
ReplyDeleteHe says what he means and he does
what he says.
sherry perry burklow
As long as Krystal and Lea are on the show, I would not miss it. But I have to admit that Jerry and his homespun sayings also makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteThis is a cruel and hateful way to catch an animal, if you want to kill it then shoot it, what they do is not right and goes to show how cruel people can be. I guess to hurt cause a lot of pain and to deliberately torture an animal is ok. A professional hunter will kill the animal he does not take delight in cruelty.I seen just enough of this show to know I do not want to watch it[I know it is my choice]but that is not the point, the point is how to kill or catch witout curelty.
ReplyDelete