Local News
Lawmakers Approve Hunting Hogs and Coyotes From Hot Air Balloons
Yes, you read the headline correctly. Texans could soon legally hunt for wild hogs and coyotes from a floating contraption in the sky! Though it might sound outlandish, new hot air balloon businesses might be cropping up to take lawmakers up on the offer to help lower the wild hog population in Texas in a strange new way.
As CBS DFW points out, hunting via helicopter was already approved, but the loudness, constant shifting of position and expense of running the aircraft created obstacles that were hard to overcome for hunters. Hot air balloons are much quieter and remain stationary, which makes them more ideal for hunting.
KSAT explains that the growing hog population has had lawmakers scratching their heads figuring out what can be done for years. Currently, about 2 million wild hogs live in the state since they breed quickly and don’t have any natural predators. The animals do millions of dollars of damage each year to crops as an unstoppable force on four legs.
The hot air balloon bill still needs approval from Gov. Greg Abbot before becoming a law. Special licenses will be needed to hunt from the balloons, similar to the requirements of hunting from a helicopter.
