Michigan steps up the war on wild boar

Rural Michigan is fighting a war with feral swine and wild boars.   The problem is getting worse.   Now, the state is about to take a major step up declaring them an "invasive species"

The Associated Press reports:

Michigan's fight against feral swine and wild boar is escalating.  Department of Natural Resources and Environment Director Rebecca Humphries announced Friday she signed an order declaring the swine an invasive species in Michigan.

The order doesn't take effect until July 8.    The delay is designed to give state lawmakers time to pass regulations for facilities that deal with wild boar breeding and hunting. 

The order will go into effect and it will be illegal to possess wild boar if the Legislature doesn't act.  There are an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 of the non-native hogs in Michigan. Some of them have damaged crops in parts of the state and also carry diseases.

A new law passed this year allows hunters and law enforcement officials to shoot the wild, roaming swine.