Is someone holding a gun more likely to think others are armed? New study says yes.

[spin]

43. If we don't they will over run our state. ...

Wild boar an aggressive, albeit edible, invasive

THE LIVING GULF COAST
charlesSOBCZAK

The European wild boar is one of the most destructive invasive species ever introduced into North America. Originally transported by Hernando de Soto to the gulf coast of Florida in 1539 as domestic livestock, these escaped pigs have now expanded their range northward to the upper peninsula of Michigan, westward to California, and eastward to Virginia. Texas and Florida have the largest populations of wild hogs. In Texas the wild boar is outcompeting the native collared peccary, or javelina, which seldom weighs more than 50 pounds.

In Florida the wild boar population is estimated in excess of 500,000. More than 100,000 wild boars are taken by hunters in the Sunshine State annually, though this impressive harvest is still inadequate for keeping the soaring population in check. It breeds year round; the sow is capable of producing two litters a year, with as many as 12 piglets per litter. Left unchecked, the wild hog population in Florida could easily overwhelm the balance of nature and do immeasurable harm to other species by consuming too much of the available food sources. A single 400-pound boar can devour bushels of acorns in a week, leaving little for the other acorn-eating species such as deer, wild turkey, opossum, raccoon, armadillo and any number of birds. The wild boar also eats snakes, carrion, refuse, insects and reptiles....emphasis added

***snip***

With a half-million wild hogs out there, it is unlikely Florida will ever be free of this intelligent and adaptive omnivore. Its primary cause of mortality is hunting by humans, followed by predation of smaller hogs by panthers; predation of piglets by owls, eagles, coyotes, bobcats and black bears; and, finally, cannibalization by solitary male boars. Although not inherently dangerous to humans, a cornered or wounded boar wielding 6-inch tusks is a formidable threat, and care should always be exercised when encountering one of these animals in the wild.
http://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/news/2011-03-16/Other_News/Wild_boar_an_aggressive_albeit_edible_invasive.html

Game Hunters Take a Shot at Controlling Wild Hogs in Florida
ByMary L. King
on Aug 24, 2010

Florida residents have enough to worry about with alligators and Burmese pythons crawling into neighborhood backyards. Wild hogs (Sus scrofa) are rooting their way into populated areas too, and have been for years. The wild pig isn't a new menace to the state – it seems Hernando DeSoto brought hogs into southwest Florida in 1539. Pigs that escaped into the wild decided the tropical wilderness would make a good place to build a home and raise a family. The rest is history.

***snip***

Wild Hogs Breed Faster than a Hunter Loading His Gun – Almost

Florida is second only to Texas in the number of wild hogs in the state. Wild pigs multiply like rabbits. A pig reaches sexual maturity at six months and the population can double every four months. Each sow can produce 4 to 14 piglets in each litter.

Wild hogs have no natural predators other than man. The pigs cause millions of dollars worth of damage throughout the state of Florida. Florida hunting trips for wild boar are popular sporting events as shown on the website World Class Outdoors on the page titled, "Florida Hog Hunting – Wild Boar Hunting". The wild pig epidemic virtually guarantees a successful adventure.

Wild pigs are likely to run from danger, but can be very aggressive and are dangerous when cornered or provoked. Will hunters be able to eliminate wild hogs from Florida and other states? Most likely, they won't. Even as hunters take aim to reduce the population, the wild pigs' breeding habits keep the pigs ahead of the game. Like the alligators, Florida residents will just have to tolerate the pesky swine.
http://suite101.com/article/game-hunters-take-a-shot-at-controlling-wild-hogs-in-florida-a277737

You can probably look forward to having feral hog in your area in the future.

Free-ranging populations of feral swine (also called feral hogs and wild pigs)
in the United States are located in at least 35 States. Some experts estimate their numbers at over 5 million, with the largest populations located in California, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas. This species causes extensive damage and disease threats to public property, native ecosystems, livestock health,and human health. Feral swine populations will likely continue to spread across the country as a result of natural range expansion,illegal trapping and movement by hunters, and accidental releases from domestic swine operations.

The expanding populations of feral swine are a significant concern to farmers, livestock producers, natural resource managers, and animal health officials. However, feral swine issues are not limited
to natural areas and rural environments. Feral swine are highly adaptable and are becoming more common in suburban areas, rooting up lawns, gardens, golf courses, and city parks.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/wildlife_damage/content/printable_version/feral_swine.pdf