On our lease, some of us shoot the hogs, butcher and eat them. Others claim that they don't like the taste or that they carry diseases and are not safe to eat, so they just shoot them and let them lay down and die. Usually, they are eaten by something in the next day or two. None of us who eat them have ever gotten sick from them while cleaning, cooking or eating.
Either way, the wild hogs are a problem for the farmers and ranchers. They also reproduce like crazy.
We only shoot them when no one is deer hunting but regardless of reason for killing them or what you do with them the farmer is happy to hear we killed some.
In my experience, the best are the ones less than 150 lbs and are shot in the colder months. Clean them quick and soak them in brine for a day or two before eating, if you have not made them into sausage.
