Pig & Pussy Hunt, Sunday 5th Aug

Big haul expected in Pig and Pussy Hunt
Posted Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:11am AEST
Map: Pine Creek 0847
The annual 'Pig and Pussy Hunt' starts today to control feral animals around Pine Creek, 200 kilometres south of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
The hunt targets feral pigs and cats as well as cane toads.
Last year 69 feral pigs were shot.
Hunt organiser Rodney Haines says he expects an even bigger haul this year.
"It's a massive problem," he said.
"They estimate there are six million wild pigs just in the Top End.
"So imagine how much they have got eat just to keep alive, from the crocodile eggs, to turtle eggs, to birds.
"Anything they can eat, they'll eat."
(from ABC online)
Ken’s bit. The above annual hunt was started as a result of the pigs entering the main town area and tearing everything up a few years ago, and the hunt is to gain publicity to push the Northern Territory Government into taking positive action to eradicate the pig problem. The pig abattoirs in Darwin are closed, and although the pigs are in excellent condition as game meat, they will all be buried. The rules apparently require that the animals are gutted for “weigh in” to keep the weight honest, and at noon today the top weight is to the team from Douglas/Daly, at101 kg and the only feral cat so far at 5 kg. with one hunting dog killed by a big boar. (Some pig hunting dogs are worth about $8000.0 each) The hunters have until 9pm tonight to weigh in, and the presentations are made tonight at the Pig & Pussy Ball, dinner suits encouraged or something “Feral”. For the sporting folk who already attended the Darwin Cup Ball last night, stamina will be required!!!