History and status of wild pigs, Sus scrofa, in San Benito County, California

An interview survey of landowners, encompassing most of the wild pig iSus scrofa ) San Benito County, was completed as a pilot project in preparation for a statweide survey of the distribution, relative abundance, and management problems of wild pogs in California. Results indicate that approximately 7,000 wild pigs of domestic and wild boar ancestry now range over 54% of the county, primarily in woodland habitats. The annual kill from all sources in 1975-1976 was at least 2,200 pigs. Most landowners considered wild pigs as pests. Control methods included hunting and trapping, but these efforts were successful in less than 10% of the pig range. Paid recreational hunting occurred on the larger properties.