What are wild boars' economical importance?

Answer 1

In the US, "wild" (feral) hogs are more known for their destructive habits than any positive benefit. Numerous studies and reports detail the economic costs of feral hogs in Texas, ranging from destruction of pasture and timberland, to farm land and Golf-courses, and even to the killing of small and young animals such as chickens, goat kids, and lambs. (You can find reports on these at the Texas Agralife website. Probably other states could provide similar statistics.) Wild hogs also destroy fences, spread diseases to livestock, and present a danger to humans and animals. They disrupt the ecology by consuming some native animals. These hogs range from the the true old-time feral pigs that were managed by settlers (who allowed them to run free and forage for most of the year, then caught a few to fatten) to those that were crossed with Russian wild boars for sports hunting.

I have been unable to find solid economic data about the feral pigs' positive economic impact. Certainly there is SOME positive impact: selling hunting packages and guest lodging for hunters, taxidermy services, and for those who sell hog-traps, raise hog-dogs, sell hog-dog protective vests, or who sell their services hunting the animals. Not a few people also use the animals for the occasional bar-b-que or for sausage. It is too bad that a concentrated effort could not be made to harvest more of these animals and use them to supply food to those in need, but wild hogs are incredibly intelligent and are often difficult and extremely dangerous to catch. From what I've read, any positive impact pales in comparison to the destruction these animals cause.