L | A (Translated with ChatGPT)
By Deng Bo
On October 18, the wild boar control hunt officially began in Xiji County, Guyuan City, Ningxia. Changes in the weather have added significant difficulty to the hunting process. As of 10 p.m. on October 19, Jimu News learned that six teams involved in the wild boar hunt had captured a total of five wild boars, the heaviest weighing over 300 jin (approximately 150 kg), and all were safely disposed of.
The Jinyong Farm Protection Team captured the first wild boar in this round of control hunting, marking a successful start. This is a local farm protection team in Xiji County that has been involved in wild boar control hunting since 2022, having captured over 200 wild boars.
On October 19, Jimu News interviewed Gao Yongyong, the captain of the Jinyong Farm Protection Team, to reveal the story behind the "bounty hunters."
On the afternoon of October 18, Gao Yongyong loaded the hunting dogs into a vehicle, preparing to head into the mountains to hunt wild boars
A nearly 400-jin (881 pounds) wild boar charged at the farm protection team members.
Jimu News: How many years have you been involved in farm protection work?
Gao Yongyong: I've always liked hunting dogs, and a few years ago, I opened a hunting dog breeding farm. In 2022, after wild boars were removed from the "Three Protected Species" list, I obtained the necessary permits from the forestry department and formed the Jinyong Farm Protection Team. We have also participated in wild boar control efforts in several nearby counties. In over three years, we've captured more than 200 wild boars, with the largest one weighing over 380 jin (837 pounds).
Jimu News: What are the main harms caused by wild boars?
Gao Yongyong: In recent years, the ecosystem in Xiji County has been improving, with dense forests and vegetation, but there is a lack of natural predators for wild boars. Their reproduction rate is very fast. I’ve personally seen a sow leading 12 piglets wandering in the mountains. So in recent years, wild boars have become overpopulated.
There are even herds of more than 100 wild boars, and the corn and potatoes in the local farmers' fields are being severely damaged. Wild boars are also physically strong and can injure people. When farmers are working in the mountains, they might encounter wild boars, and the boars are not afraid of humans. Instead, they could even charge and injure people. We often receive reports of such incidents.
The wild boar captured by the Jinyong Farm Protection Team
Jimu News: Have you ever encountered danger during wild boar hunts?
Gao Yongyong: It's common to encounter danger. The most dangerous time was in 2023 when I was participating in the wild boar population control in Xiji County. During one hunt, we came across a wild boar that weighed nearly 400 jin. That night, we had fewer hunting dogs with us, only seven or eight. When we spotted the wild boar, we released the dogs, and they bit the boar.
We ran towards it, but because the boar was so large, the dogs couldn’t hold it down, and it charged directly at us. Luckily, everyone managed to dodge in time. The boar crashed straight into the pickup truck, damaging the bumper and radiator.
In addition, farm protection work is usually done at night, and while chasing wild boars in the deep mountains, there is a risk of slipping, falling, or getting injured. Because of this, every member of the farm protection team has purchased accident insurance.
On the afternoon of October 17, the first wild boar captured by the Jinyong Farm Protection Team was being safely disposed of
Jimu News: What was the situation with this successful start to the hunt?
Gao Yongyong: On the afternoon of October 17, we received the hunting permit from the Forestry Bureau, assigning us to hunt wild boars in Huoshizhai Township, Hongyao Township, and Xinying Township in Xiji County.
In fact, I had already received a call from a local in Huangjiawan, Xinying Township, saying that wild boars were there, damaging a lot of their corn, and asking me to drive them away. But at that time, we didn’t have the hunting permit.
After we received the permit, I couldn’t wait to go up the mountain to help the locals get rid of the wild boars. We entered the mountains at 7 p.m. When we arrived at the locals’ farmland, we saw that the wild boars had indeed caused serious damage to the crops. There were corn cobs all over the ground, and wild boar footprints were everywhere, both large and small. Some of the footprints were even bigger than my fist.
Based on my experience, I estimated that there were about 20 wild boars in that area. Around 10 p.m., we spotted a wild boar damaging the cornfield through the drone and quickly released the hunting dogs to capture it. This wild boar weighed over 260 jin (about 573 pounds).
On the night of October 18, a Jimu News reporter followed the Jinyong Farm Protection Team into the mountains
However, on the night of the 18th, luck wasn’t on our side. The temperature on the mountain suddenly dropped, and it became windy and foggy. The dense forest also made it difficult for the drone to search. To avoid crashing the drone, we called off the operation.
"We go whenever the people need us"
Jimu News: People are curious about how wild boars are hunted.
Gao Yongyong: There are several ways to hunt wild boars. Currently, the most commonly used method is hunting with a thermal imaging drone. After receiving information about wild boars, we go to the area where the boars have been spotted, launch the drone, and search the surrounding fields and forests.
Once the drone detects the wild boars' heat signatures, we know exactly where they are. We then release the dogs from a closer distance, allowing them to attack the wild boars, and the farm protection team members move in to finish the job with hunting tools. This method is precise, so the dogs don’t need to run all over the mountains, and they don’t get as exhausted.
Farm protection team members put protective gear on the hunting dogs
Another method is more traditional. If the weather is bad, with rain, fog, or strong winds, drones can't operate. In such cases, we have to rely on a more cumbersome approach—taking the hunting dogs up the mountain. After spotting wild boar tracks or signs, we release the dogs to sniff out the boars on their own.
Once the dogs encounter a wild boar, they will call other dogs, and we move in to control and capture the boar. This method is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and a bit troublesome. Overall, drone searching is the most efficient and commonly used method, as it makes things easier for both the team and the dogs. Sometimes, we can catch three to five wild boars in a single night.
Jimu News: How many hunting dogs have you prepared this time, and do you feel confident about completing the task?
Gao Yongyong: This time, the county aims to capture 300 adult wild boars, and the Jinyong Farm Protection Team has a target of capturing 50 adult wild boars in about a month. The timeframe is tight, and the task is heavy. To complete this wild boar population control mission and ensure a good autumn harvest, I have prepared over 40 hunting dogs, and we will take them up the mountain in batches to hunt the boars.
After learning about the tight schedule, a good friend of mine in Guangdong drove over 2,000 kilometers to bring me eight top-tier hunting dogs for support. With these 50 dogs, we are confident we can complete the task.
On October 19, the Jinyong Farm Protection Team searched for wild boars in the mountains
Jimu News: According to official announcements, there is a compensation of 2,400 yuan for each wild boar successfully captured. People online are curious—does hunting wild boars make a lot of money?
Gao Yongyong: Farm protection work doesn’t make money; in fact, we end up losing money. Over the past few years, I’ve participated in several wild boar population control tasks, and last year I received 60,000 yuan in subsidies. But this money is only a small compensation and can’t cover the daily expenses. After doing the math, I’ve lost over 400,000 yuan in recent years.
The investment in hunting dogs is quite high. My dogs are worth at least 3,000 yuan each, and some are valued at over 10,000 yuan. In the hunting process, some dogs die. Last year, one of my dogs was killed in a fight with a wild boar. Someone had previously offered 20,000 yuan for that dog, but I didn’t want to sell it, and then it died just like that.
Additionally, there’s the cost of fuel each time we go out, the daily expenses of the four or five team members, and the food and care for the dogs, all of which add up over the year. The cost of drones is another big expense. Although using thermal imaging drones is efficient for hunting wild boars, one drone costs over 40,000 yuan. If it crashes, repairs can cost 10,000 to 20,000 yuan, and sometimes they are damaged beyond repair, forcing us to buy new ones. This year, we’ve already lost three drones, amounting to over 100,000 yuan in damages.
A herd of wild boars spotted in the farmland
Jimu News: With such a significant investment and even losing money, what motivates you to continue participating in farm protection work?
Gao Yongyong: Over the years, the forests in Xiji County have become denser, and the number of wild boars has increased. Before 2022, the farmland around the mountains often suffered from wild boar damage, resulting in complete crop failure.
It’s heartbreaking to see the crops that local farmers worked so hard to grow being ruined. Being able to participate in farm protection work and contribute in a meaningful way is important to us. The locals recognize our efforts, and when they need us, we go.
By Deng Bo
On October 18, the wild boar control hunt officially began in Xiji County, Guyuan City, Ningxia. Changes in the weather have added significant difficulty to the hunting process. As of 10 p.m. on October 19, Jimu News learned that six teams involved in the wild boar hunt had captured a total of five wild boars, the heaviest weighing over 300 jin (approximately 150 kg), and all were safely disposed of.
The Jinyong Farm Protection Team captured the first wild boar in this round of control hunting, marking a successful start. This is a local farm protection team in Xiji County that has been involved in wild boar control hunting since 2022, having captured over 200 wild boars.
On October 19, Jimu News interviewed Gao Yongyong, the captain of the Jinyong Farm Protection Team, to reveal the story behind the "bounty hunters."
On the afternoon of October 18, Gao Yongyong loaded the hunting dogs into a vehicle, preparing to head into the mountains to hunt wild boars
A nearly 400-jin (881 pounds) wild boar charged at the farm protection team members.
Jimu News: How many years have you been involved in farm protection work?
Gao Yongyong: I've always liked hunting dogs, and a few years ago, I opened a hunting dog breeding farm. In 2022, after wild boars were removed from the "Three Protected Species" list, I obtained the necessary permits from the forestry department and formed the Jinyong Farm Protection Team. We have also participated in wild boar control efforts in several nearby counties. In over three years, we've captured more than 200 wild boars, with the largest one weighing over 380 jin (837 pounds).
Jimu News: What are the main harms caused by wild boars?
Gao Yongyong: In recent years, the ecosystem in Xiji County has been improving, with dense forests and vegetation, but there is a lack of natural predators for wild boars. Their reproduction rate is very fast. I’ve personally seen a sow leading 12 piglets wandering in the mountains. So in recent years, wild boars have become overpopulated.
There are even herds of more than 100 wild boars, and the corn and potatoes in the local farmers' fields are being severely damaged. Wild boars are also physically strong and can injure people. When farmers are working in the mountains, they might encounter wild boars, and the boars are not afraid of humans. Instead, they could even charge and injure people. We often receive reports of such incidents.
The wild boar captured by the Jinyong Farm Protection Team
Jimu News: Have you ever encountered danger during wild boar hunts?
Gao Yongyong: It's common to encounter danger. The most dangerous time was in 2023 when I was participating in the wild boar population control in Xiji County. During one hunt, we came across a wild boar that weighed nearly 400 jin. That night, we had fewer hunting dogs with us, only seven or eight. When we spotted the wild boar, we released the dogs, and they bit the boar.
We ran towards it, but because the boar was so large, the dogs couldn’t hold it down, and it charged directly at us. Luckily, everyone managed to dodge in time. The boar crashed straight into the pickup truck, damaging the bumper and radiator.
In addition, farm protection work is usually done at night, and while chasing wild boars in the deep mountains, there is a risk of slipping, falling, or getting injured. Because of this, every member of the farm protection team has purchased accident insurance.
On the afternoon of October 17, the first wild boar captured by the Jinyong Farm Protection Team was being safely disposed of
Jimu News: What was the situation with this successful start to the hunt?
Gao Yongyong: On the afternoon of October 17, we received the hunting permit from the Forestry Bureau, assigning us to hunt wild boars in Huoshizhai Township, Hongyao Township, and Xinying Township in Xiji County.
In fact, I had already received a call from a local in Huangjiawan, Xinying Township, saying that wild boars were there, damaging a lot of their corn, and asking me to drive them away. But at that time, we didn’t have the hunting permit.
After we received the permit, I couldn’t wait to go up the mountain to help the locals get rid of the wild boars. We entered the mountains at 7 p.m. When we arrived at the locals’ farmland, we saw that the wild boars had indeed caused serious damage to the crops. There were corn cobs all over the ground, and wild boar footprints were everywhere, both large and small. Some of the footprints were even bigger than my fist.
Based on my experience, I estimated that there were about 20 wild boars in that area. Around 10 p.m., we spotted a wild boar damaging the cornfield through the drone and quickly released the hunting dogs to capture it. This wild boar weighed over 260 jin (about 573 pounds).
On the night of October 18, a Jimu News reporter followed the Jinyong Farm Protection Team into the mountains
However, on the night of the 18th, luck wasn’t on our side. The temperature on the mountain suddenly dropped, and it became windy and foggy. The dense forest also made it difficult for the drone to search. To avoid crashing the drone, we called off the operation.
"We go whenever the people need us"
Jimu News: People are curious about how wild boars are hunted.
Gao Yongyong: There are several ways to hunt wild boars. Currently, the most commonly used method is hunting with a thermal imaging drone. After receiving information about wild boars, we go to the area where the boars have been spotted, launch the drone, and search the surrounding fields and forests.
Once the drone detects the wild boars' heat signatures, we know exactly where they are. We then release the dogs from a closer distance, allowing them to attack the wild boars, and the farm protection team members move in to finish the job with hunting tools. This method is precise, so the dogs don’t need to run all over the mountains, and they don’t get as exhausted.
Farm protection team members put protective gear on the hunting dogs
Another method is more traditional. If the weather is bad, with rain, fog, or strong winds, drones can't operate. In such cases, we have to rely on a more cumbersome approach—taking the hunting dogs up the mountain. After spotting wild boar tracks or signs, we release the dogs to sniff out the boars on their own.
Once the dogs encounter a wild boar, they will call other dogs, and we move in to control and capture the boar. This method is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and a bit troublesome. Overall, drone searching is the most efficient and commonly used method, as it makes things easier for both the team and the dogs. Sometimes, we can catch three to five wild boars in a single night.
Jimu News: How many hunting dogs have you prepared this time, and do you feel confident about completing the task?
Gao Yongyong: This time, the county aims to capture 300 adult wild boars, and the Jinyong Farm Protection Team has a target of capturing 50 adult wild boars in about a month. The timeframe is tight, and the task is heavy. To complete this wild boar population control mission and ensure a good autumn harvest, I have prepared over 40 hunting dogs, and we will take them up the mountain in batches to hunt the boars.
After learning about the tight schedule, a good friend of mine in Guangdong drove over 2,000 kilometers to bring me eight top-tier hunting dogs for support. With these 50 dogs, we are confident we can complete the task.
On October 19, the Jinyong Farm Protection Team searched for wild boars in the mountains
Jimu News: According to official announcements, there is a compensation of 2,400 yuan for each wild boar successfully captured. People online are curious—does hunting wild boars make a lot of money?
Gao Yongyong: Farm protection work doesn’t make money; in fact, we end up losing money. Over the past few years, I’ve participated in several wild boar population control tasks, and last year I received 60,000 yuan in subsidies. But this money is only a small compensation and can’t cover the daily expenses. After doing the math, I’ve lost over 400,000 yuan in recent years.
The investment in hunting dogs is quite high. My dogs are worth at least 3,000 yuan each, and some are valued at over 10,000 yuan. In the hunting process, some dogs die. Last year, one of my dogs was killed in a fight with a wild boar. Someone had previously offered 20,000 yuan for that dog, but I didn’t want to sell it, and then it died just like that.
Additionally, there’s the cost of fuel each time we go out, the daily expenses of the four or five team members, and the food and care for the dogs, all of which add up over the year. The cost of drones is another big expense. Although using thermal imaging drones is efficient for hunting wild boars, one drone costs over 40,000 yuan. If it crashes, repairs can cost 10,000 to 20,000 yuan, and sometimes they are damaged beyond repair, forcing us to buy new ones. This year, we’ve already lost three drones, amounting to over 100,000 yuan in damages.
A herd of wild boars spotted in the farmland
Jimu News: With such a significant investment and even losing money, what motivates you to continue participating in farm protection work?
Gao Yongyong: Over the years, the forests in Xiji County have become denser, and the number of wild boars has increased. Before 2022, the farmland around the mountains often suffered from wild boar damage, resulting in complete crop failure.
It’s heartbreaking to see the crops that local farmers worked so hard to grow being ruined. Being able to participate in farm protection work and contribute in a meaningful way is important to us. The locals recognize our efforts, and when they need us, we go.
