THESE DAYS, IT’S NOT ABOUT PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE, BUT REDUCING FERAL PESTS. PIGGING OUT T
HIS week, the Townsville Bulletin put out a call for photo evidence of NQ’S best “Pigger”.
Although I’ll probably never be considered a “local”, I’ve lived in the North long enough now to not only know that meant they were asking pig hunters to submit their best pig hunting photo, but that this would go OFF.
And go off it did.
I won’t lie, when I saw the pic that accompanied the request, I was momentarily focused on the Cowboys player, before noticing he had his arm draped around an enormous feral pig that looked like it was smiling.
Except there was blood coming out of God knows where, spattered on an esky lid, or whatever it was the pig was lying on.
I mean, I was only on my first iced coffee for the day so I wasn’t super awake, but maaate.
I wasn’t shocked about people hunting feral pigs. I know wild boars do enormous damage to the land, and that people have grown up hunting them since they were kids.
If you go by the number of dog cages you see on the back of every second or third ute up here, pigging has to be one of Townsville’s top pastimes along with fishing, camping, and barracking for the Cowboys when they are winning.
But bloody trophy photos? No please.
I’d tell anyone that I’m not into hunting, but it’s not actually true. What else could I call ninjacreeping around my fish pond with a plastic bag over my hand ready to grab the monster cane toads that appear every year.
Grab, turn bag inside out over them, tie up and freeze, with an average annual bag count about 30 – Toad Ninja.
Then there’s the (shudder) rat I am currently stalking by placing a tantalising menu of Ratsak and peanut butter inside cosy plastic death chambers.
Hopefully I’m killing vermin as humanely as possible, as I’m sure every pigger does – there’s nothing to be gained by a wounded boar turning on the hunter, or their dogs.
With the number of people of all ages out there using a pretty dangerous combination of guns, dogs and knives, it says something for their responsible hunting practices as we rarely hear of accidental shootings.
I’m more worried about the dogs than anything, but many wear protection “armour”, so surely this activity (I won’t call it “sport” since only one player has equipment) does more good than harm?
Of course there’s those who are outraged by the practice, but since you can’t eat the meat of these unfortunate boars they’re in the same category as toads and rats, not to mention the bats that are still ravaging local parks and properties.
Where I grew up, people shot rabbits – and we ate rabbit stew.
These days, it’s not about putting food on the table, but reducing feral pests.
But what about the gory trophy shots?
Sure, there’s satisfaction in vermin reduction, but would I pose with my toad-kill?
I guess it’s better than mounting their head on a wall.
But only just.