Hog Wild Part One
The Keefer Brothers, Nikki Boxler and Gabe Adair arrive in Texas with two things in common: their quest to lower the invasive wild hog population, and their trust in Winchester to take on the challenge.
A crater stretches across the soil. Five feet wide by three feet deep, the ground looks tilled by tractors. Tracks are imprinted in the mud. River beds are destroyed. Crop fields are devoured.
Across southern Texas, the signs are there. They point to one of the most invasive species in the United States: Wild hogs.
These feral animals have few natural predators. They breed quickly. They destroy land, crops, riverbeds and ecosystems even faster. One way to tame the excessive wild hog population? Hunting.
The Keefer Brothers, Nikki Boxler and Gabe Adair travel to the H5 Ranch in Barksdale, Texas, to help control the overgrown porcine population. With their Winchester firearms and ammunition, the group is prepared to take a shot at the swine across the ranch.
The early morning is a test of patience for Casey, Chris, and Nikki. They sit and wait for wild hogs to make an appearance across the landscape.
They wait.
And wait.
And wait.
But Gabe does not have to play the waiting game on the other side of the ranch this morning.
Thirty minutes into the hunt, he crosses paths with a wild hog. He locks and loads with Winchester Razor Boar XT ammunition. The shot rings out around the ranch, a promising sign to the rest of the Winchester Life crew.
Today is Gabe’s birthday. Thanks to the tried and true ways of Winchester, he now has another reason to celebrate. As the Winchester comrades join together to share in Gabe’s success, they look ahead to more opportunities to take a shot at wild hogs with Winchester at the H5 Ranch.
Digging Deeper
Originally introduced to America by early European explorers, feral hogs are an increasing problem throughout the country. With few natural predators, quick and early breeding patterns, and an appetite for any and everything, wild hogs cause damage to natural ecosystems and communities. Texas bears the brunt of these beasts. Experts estimate that over 4 million feral swine have invaded The Lone Star State. In order to neutralize this wild hog population, hunters would have to take out 60 to 80 percent of feral pigs. The state has no bag limit or distinctive season for wild hog hunting, though outdoorsmen do need a hunting license. Wild hogs boast impressive intelligence levels and keen eyesight, making the pursuit for pigs a challenging (and necessary) hunt.
As co-host of Winchester Life, he feels it his responsibility to help you find your own definition of the outdoors. He takes this responsibility very seriously and will take the rest of his working life fulfilling this quest. He can go from adventurous woodsman to sharp-dressed dinner guest in no time at all.
