“Pork Chopper” Bill Passes Texas Senate

The Texas Senate approved a bill that would allow landowners with feral hogs to sell helicopter seats to hunters who want to help them get rid of these destructive animals on their property. State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, told the Texas Tribune that there are more than 2 million feral hogs across the state. They’ve mostly been a problem for rural landowners, but now urban dwellers are having to deal with them as well. “We’re having these hogs come in and tear up backyards and endanger the lives of young children,” he told the Internet-based news site. Texas allows for shooting feral hogs and coyotes from helicopters, but it’s expensive. Fraser said his bill would allow landowners to defray the costs. State Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, told the Tribune he opposed the bill because he doesn’t want to see a new sport in Texas that involves shooting hogs from helicopters. “You’re just coming in there and shooting them at random,” Lucio said.