Wild pigs on the run.
By Glenn Freeman
Eastvale: Last October, a handful of incidents were reported involving feral pigs causing thousands of dollars in damage to landscaping at Riverwalk Park in Eastvale. The attacks prompted questions about eradication, including the possible issue of “depredation permits.” As of today, no such permits have been issued by Department of Fish and Wildlife to either the City of Eastvale or Jurupa Community Services District.
According to the City of Eastvale, “depredation permits” are “species specific” and relating to particular property damage that the wild animals have caused. These permits are issued to the jurisdiction or property owner where the specific damage has occurred.
This would give the public a right to hunt the animals, BUT, “state law prohibits discharge of a firearm or bow and arrow within 150 yards of any developed recreation area (e.g., a picnic area or playground), or within 150 yards of a home, without the written consent of the homeowner,” according to Jeff Villepique, Environmental Scientist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the city reported.
However, both JCSD, which manages the park, and the City of Eastvale, do not allow hunting of the feral pigs within their jurisdictions without that specific permit.
Eastvale city municipal code states: “No person shall discharge or set off within the city limits any firearm or other contrivance discharging or propelling shots, slugs, bullets, darts, arrows, rocks or other missiles,” according to a release issued by the city.
Jurupa Community Services District director of parks and community affairs, Richard “Ric” Welch, says there have been no recent attacks and no plans at this point to pursue the permit. “Fortunately this has been a non-issue for the Parks Department of late,” Welch said.
So in essence, you CAN HUNT PIGS, but NOT WITHIN the city limits of Eastvale, NOR ON the JCSD property. UNLESS permits are issued by Department of Fish and Wildlife TO either the City of Eastvale or Jurupa Community Services District, which hasn’t happened, and most likely never will.
Gets confusing when you ask three branches of government the same question.
(Michael Armijo contributed to this story)
