From Field to Kitchen: How Hog Hides Are Used After the Tournament

When a hog is weighed at the tournament, the next step is a careful skinning that separates the meat from the hide. The hide is then rinsed, stretched, and left to dry in a controlled environment. This simple process turns a raw skin into a clean, usable material ready for further work.

Local artisans and leatherworkers receive the cured hides and turn them into belts, wallets, and other durable goods. Some of these items are sold at community events, and the proceeds go directly to Fredrick Hebert VFW Post 4158, Hero Hunts, and other veteran assistance programs. By creating a market for the hides, the tournament helps offset the $76 million in agricultural damage that feral hogs cause each year in Louisiana.

A portion of the finished leather goods is gifted to veterans and families in need. These items serve as practical tools and as a reminder of the support network that surrounds them. The effort also provides a tangible way to honor the 23 veterans a day who are lost to suicide, reinforcing the community’s commitment to caring for those who have served.

Because every hide finds a purpose, nothing is wasted. The process transforms a potential waste product into a source of income, community pride, and veteran support, completing the tournament’s cycle of hunting, feeding, and giving back.