I’ll let Mark tell his own story, but here’s the quick summary. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is saying that his fenced-in, free-range hogs are an invasive species, and must be destroyed by April 1st. He’s suing the Department, and he’s trying to raise money for a legal fund. As you listen to his story, you’ll hear why this could be of concern to people everywhere who appreciate free-range meat. With the exception of some “non-amenable” meats from North American species like bison, elk, and alligator, every domestic species of livestock commonly raised in the United States could be classified an “invasive species.”
I checked the MDNR’s website, and they do have information up about feral hogs and the new policy going into effect. If this guy is a con man trying to run a scam, he’s at least come up with a credible story.
“Feral Swine in Michigan – A Growing Problem”
“DNR Order Listing Sporting Swine as Invasive Species Takes Effect”
“Feral Swine”
Lest you let the information on the government website scare you, remember how we were all warned some years ago that terrorists were going to use swine flu and bird flue to bring about the end of the world, and how we should all stock up on rolls of plastic and duct tape to seal ourselves in our houses with several weeks’ worth of food. If an enforcement agency can’t scare people into believing there’s a grave threat that only they can solve, they don’t get funded as generously. Keep that in mind as you review the DNR’s side of this issue.
I didn’t see contact information for Bakers Green Acres on the YouTube site, so here’s a link to their website: http://vbs20.com/bakers/
