Deer hunters encouraged to shoot wild hogs

[Dv8oR]

If you don't get a deer this year, maybe you can bring home some bacon instead. State wildlife officials are encouraging deer hunters in 23 counties to shoot any wild hogs they encounter while afield this fall.

Feral hogs are known to cause habitat destruction and possibly spread disease to domestic swine. Although the possibility of humans becoming infected from wild hogs is considered remote, hunters who kill hogs are encouraged to take the animals' heads to the Department of Natural Resources field offices for testing.

Hog hunting is legal in the following counties: Arenac, Bay, Baraga, Clinton Cheboygan, Gladwin, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Isabella, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Roscommon and Saginaw.