http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/05/25/texas-approves-hunting-feral-hogs-by-hot-air-balloon/

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas lawmakers have approved the hunting of feral hogs and coyotes from hot air balloons.

Texas’ growing hog population causes millions of dollars’ worth of damage to crops every year. Texas has an estimated two million feral hogs. Their high breeding rate and lack of natural predators has seen their population explode

The state already allows the shooting of feral hogs from helicopters, but that is expensive and has not been very unsuccessful because the aircraft often scare the animals away. Hot air balloons are quieter and offer a more stable shooting platform.

The bill requires the state to license hot air balloon hunting.

The bill passed the Senate Wednesday night and now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott for his consideration.


Question: I don't think of a Hot Air Balloon as nimble to steer or quick so I can see a hunter getting 1-2 shots off (surprise) and then taking a bunch of hail mary shots. Doesn't seem practical.

Anybody got any crash data for Hot Air Balloon vs Helicopters (civilian/touring) because I hear a lot more about hot air balloon accidents than helicopter crashes............

Also I believe part of the reason that helicopter hunting works is due to the noise and air disruption caused by the engine and prop , this essentially drives the pigs out of their bedding areas and /or spooks them to run. How the heck is a hot air balloon Pilot going to accomplish the same effect?

stupid

Finally a good plan comes up and some spoilt city folk hog hunters push to ruin it.... now look what we got... hot air ballons

Or as pappy say's: getting high on helium ...

I think that for this to work safely, that the balloon would be tethered and then just essentially be a very high hide from which to shoot. Otherwise the slow drift over a single path of huntable property would come to an end and what do you have to show for it? How do you retrieve the hogs? You can't land or go back to dispatch wounded hogs.

Knowing hot air balloonists, landings are often quite exciting and vigorous....a semi-controlled crash if the winds do not cooperate, something I would not want to do with items such as rifles and scopes.

Extremely silly idea.

I'm having a bit of difficulty taking this seriously …

Maybe someone will devise a hot air balloon with a motor and fan , essentially a blimp that qualifies as a hot air balloon under the legislation

Hogs would be on that in no time. You'd start seeing em looking up for balloons. Hahaha

meanwhile, 911 calls would skyrocket.

"911 what is your emergency?"

"Uh hello? Yeah. Some terrorist in a balloon was shooting . No hurry, I took him out. Yep, he's in the top of a big oak tree."

A minie zepplin would work, loud motors buzzing around shooting varmints, sounds fun.

I agree with the tether thought. Seems like if you could create a reel system that takes you over the property and back that would be ideal. Seems like it has a place if someone can come up with the right setup.