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Texas Governor signs bill allowing those without licenses to hunt feral hogs

The law will go into effect in September.

FANNETT, Texas — A Southeast Texas rice farmer said over the past 20 years, feral hogs have become a big issue in the area. 

Chuck Kiker told 12News the pigs have taken a toll on his finances, damaging his crops as well as his wallet.

"They'll go in when rice starts heading out. They'll knock tarps off the levy; you'll lose your water," Kiker said.

Kiker said some people suffer large losses due to the animals. 

"You can get 5 to 10 percent damage really easy, and there are people who have suffered more than that. When you start losing even 5 percent of your crop, that's most of your profit margin," Kiker said. 

Governor Gregg Abbott hopes a new law will offer some relief.

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Last week, he signed a bill allowing anyone to kill feral hogs without a hunting license.

This means they are "free game" to all.

Joe Picou has been hunting hogs as long he can remember.

The hog expert from Fannett says in one weekend; he's caught 20.

"Just on an average night, you can catch two, six, eight. It's not unheard of, just depends on how long you want to stay," said Picou.

He says this new law sounds good, but he doesn't know how much it will help.

The feral hogs can weigh upwards of two hundred pounds.

Some love to run in front of cars.

"I think it's a losing battle. It might help a little bit, but I don't think it's the answer," Picou said.

Kiker agrees, and he says the community should be aware, not only for their belongings but for their safety on the road.

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