Hotmail
Fort Benning puts a bounty on boars
Pig Czar will try to rid 184,000 acres of 6,000 feral pigs
 AP This photo provided by the U.S. Army shows Army Maj. Bobby Toon posing in October 2007 with a feral pig he killed at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga.. |
Get weird & wonderful news on Twitter |
 | Looking for more strange and fun stories and oddball videos? Follow @msnbc_wow. |
 | Video: Weird news |
 Prisoner walks out of jail Nov. 25: Security is being reviewed at a Louisiana jail after an officer failed to close two steel doors on Tuesday. An inmate noticed and walked out of jail. TODAY’s Ann Curry reports. |
 | Slideshow |
 | Guinness World Records See the biggest rubber band ball, oldest bungee jumper, longest ear hair and much more. more photos |
 | Discuss odd news on Newsvine |
FORT BENNING, Ga. - Maj. Bobby Toon is known as the Pig Czar at the huge army post on Georgia's western edge.
He has been assigned to help rid Fort Benning of its unwanted guests: an estimated 6,000 feral pigs that roam the 184,000-acre installation.
The animals, common throughout Georgia, are known for tearing up woodlands and farms. They are aggressive foragers, gobbling up native vegetation and endangered species.
"These pigs feed and breed," Toon said. "That's all they care about. I've been here off and on for 17 years, and I can never remember a pig population as big as it is now."
Since July, more than 900 pigs have been killed.
"These animals can smell a turkey egg three miles away," Toon said. "They're also a danger to tortoises and woodpeckers."
The former 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment company commander, who now instructs a course at the Maneuver Captains Career Course, has personally brought down 68 pigs in the past year.
He's not the only pig hunter at work.
About 2,000 people who are authorized to hunt on the post have been encouraged to go after the feral pigs. They must be active-duty, retired military or civilian workers at Benning and must have a license from the base.
The post is offering a $40 bounty for every pig tail that's brought in.
"We did a cost estimate with civilian contractors, but they wanted way too much money for the job," Toon said.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM WEIRD NEWS |
 Weird news Section Front |
| Add Weird news headlines to your news reader: |
Boost your career with an online Degree. Pick from Leading Colleges!
www.EarnMyDegree.com
Sponsored links
Resource guide