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Wild pigs remain a threat in suburbs
By JANE BOKUN
© St. Petersburg Times, COUNTRYWAY -- Think your neighbors are pigs? Packs of the four-legged variety have been living in the woods around Countryway. While the problem appears to have eased, not too long ago Countryway's property management company enlisted the help of a professional trapper. "We trapped about 18 wild pigs who were starting to come out of the areas bounded by Waters Avenue, Pistol Range Road and Hillsborough Avenue," said Guy Yaple of University Properties. The trapper, Jeff Yorns of Pasco County, remains on a yearly retainer with the company. "I only caught a small percentage of them," Yorns said. "We estimate there may be at least 100 more who are roaming the woods surrounding Countryway and that isn't accounting for the new litters." The animals could surface day or night and are extremely dangerous, he said. "If people see them they should stay away from them," he said. "The pigs can gore you with their 3-inch tusks, and when threatened they are ruthless. I've seen men lose hamstrings and dogs get gored to death." Yorns uses a variety of methods to either relocate the captured pigs to sheltered areas or give them away for livestock purposes. His methods include live trapping. He also hunts and relocates foxes, bobcats and other wildlife. Yorns said he has reduced the Countryway problem significantly by removing some pigs and harassing others. Sightings have decreased, he said, "but there are still a few big pigs in there and people should watch out." To report pig sightingsWild pigs are dangerous. If you see one in the Countryway area call: The Fish & Wildlife Conservation Regional Office, (863) 648-3203; Countryway Homeowners Association president Bill Christie, (813) 855-1397; or Jeff Yorns, wildlife trapper, (813) 340-0529.
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