Proper carcass disposal practices are an important part of any kind of animal management. These practices ensure that resources are not contaminated and minimize the chances for spreading diseases. When managing feral hogs in Texas, there are three primary options for disposal: harvesting the meat, safely disposing on the landscape, and selling to a buying station prior to death. Because each option has different considerations and requirements, managers should make a plan before catching or dispatching any animals.
No matter which option is selected, managers should minimize their contact with the carcass as pigs can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans, pets, and livestock. When moving a carcass, sturdy gloves should be worn when ever handling feral hogs. For further protection, managers can construct a hog puller to help move carcasses with even less physical contact.
Feral hogs that appear healthy prior to being shot can be consumed by humans or pets after being heated to 165° Fahrenheit. Prior to that, feral hogs can carry diseases that can be transferred to humans, pets, and livestock. Managers should wear gloves, glasses, and a mask when butchering a feral hog to prevent any accidental exposure to the pig’s bodily fluids. It is also important that managers, processors, and chefs remember to wear gloves and thoroughly disinfect workspaces even when preparing feral hog meat in their kitchens. Even if the meat has been frozen, feral hog meat can still carry transmissible diseases until it has been thoroughly cooked to 165° Fahrenheit.
If managers choose not to consume feral hog meat, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has published information on the proper disposal of livestock carcasses. Important factors to consider are placing the carcass in an area where it cannot contaminate water sources and where other livestock and pets cannot access it. This protocol can also be useful in disposing of bones and organs that are not harvested for cooking and consumption. Because feral hogs can carry and transmit diseases that are fatal to dogs, uncooked bones, meat, and organs should never be given to pets.
The trailer in position for loading
A final option for managers is selling feral hogs to a buying station. While transportation of feral hogs to another location for release is illegal, managers can take pigs to a buying station to sell for meat processing. The Texas Animal Health Commission keeps a map of approved and active buying stations, but it is best to call in advance for specific protocol. Selling pigs for meat is typically only compatible with trapping since buying stations require the animal to be alive upon arrival. Depending on the trap type used, a livestock trailer can be parked in at the headgate and pigs can be loaded from there. It is recommended that modifications for pig transportation are created in advance so that managers do not enter the trap with live pigs.