ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. \u2014 Feral hogs have taken over a quiet World Golf Village neighborhood, turning it into their own stomping ground. Now, the homeowners\u2019 association has approved trappers to step in and control the problem.<\/p>\n
The trappers asked Action News Jax not to name the subdivision to avoid attracting hunters. <\/p>\n
No hogs were spotted during our daytime visit, as these animals are mostly active at night. For two adult hogs and about a dozen piglets, this area is hog heaven.<\/p>\n
Nicole Doucette and Michael Sheppard work for Quick Catch.<\/p>\n
Their t-shirts read \u201cSqueal Team 6.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pair were called in to tackle the feral hog problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re incredibly invasive. They came from Spain,\u201d Doucette said.<\/p>\n
Trail cameras captured the hog family the team is targeting. Backyards in the neighborhood have been churned into what look like plowed fields, with bird feeders drawing the animals in.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe piglets start off around 40-50 pounds. Adults can get anywhere from 300 to 400 pounds,\u201d Doucette said. \u201cThe ones we have right now are 150-200 pounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trapping the animals takes plenty of muscle. The pair hauled 150-pound trap doors for large metal traps. But to lure the hogs in, the team uses a gentler approach: deer corn.<\/p>\n
Videos from previous trapping operations in Nocatee and another part of Jacksonville show the hogs in action \u2014 in both black-and-white nighttime and daytime color footage.<\/p>\n
Neighbor Dave Field said he\u2019s frustrated with the constant hog activity.<\/p>\n
An HOA meeting Thursday afternoon discussed strategies to rein in the hogs. But for his wife, the wild animals are just part of neighborhood life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love living here. Wild boars and all,\u201d Charlene Field said with a laugh. <\/p>\n
The trappers said the meat from the captured hogs will be donated to charities and shelters. Action News Jax reached out to the HOA for comment, but they did not return our call.<\/p>\n
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