COLLEGE STATION – Jared Timmons was recently hired as a Texas AgriLife Extension Service assistant to work on the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership’s feral hog issues, said his supervisor.
Dr. Jim Cathey, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at College Station, said Timmons will develop and deliver educational materials to landowners in Caldwell, Hays, and Travis counties, while serving the Plum Creek Watershed Partnership.
“Landowners work hard to reduce the negative impacts feral hogs have on land and water sources like Plum Creek,” Cathey said. “Jared will build on past efforts including seven AgriLife Extension publications and five videos now available that teach feral hog biology and trapping techniques. He’ll also conduct personal landowner visits and provide guidance on removing feral hogs from the landscape.”
Cathey said feral hogs are a non-native invasive species that cause about $52 million in damages annually to Texas farms, ranches and the agricultural industry.
“For most people, feral hogs are a neighbor you just don’t want,” Timmons said referring to feral hog damage and their contributions of E.coli bacteria to Texas streams. “I am glad to have the opportunity to work with landowners, as they are the ones who can do the most good to reduce feral hog populations.”
Timmons graduated from high school in Hico, received his bachelor’s of science in wildlife management from Tarleton State University and master’s of science in wildlife ecology from Texas State University. His thesis and field work dealt with white-winged dove biology, according to Cathey. He worked for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as an intern conducting deer management for the Texas Army National Guard. He has an extensive wildlife background and earned recognition as an associate wildlife biologist by The Wildlife Society.
“Jared will make a great resource for the folks in Caldwell, Hays and Travis counties – hogs beware,” Cathey said.
Cathey said Timmon’s position is funded through a grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information contact Cathey at 979-845-0916, jccathey@ag.tamu.edu .
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