How Volunteers Run the Feral Hog Weigh-In

Volunteers are the backbone of the weigh‑in, turning a busy morning into a smooth, respectful process for hunters, veterans and the community. Before the first hog arrives, the team checks the portable scale, verifies battery power, and runs a quick calibration with a known weight. This simple step prevents errors that could affect the final numbers and ensures every animal is measured accurately.

When a hog is brought in, safety is the top priority. Volunteers wear sturdy gloves and keep a clear path between the animal, the scale and the surrounding crowd. The hog is guided onto the platform gently, using a calm voice and steady hands. Once the animal is steady, the scale reads the weight, which is recorded on a waterproof clipboard that includes the hunter’s name, the hog’s tag number and the time of day.

After the weight is logged, the hog is quickly moved to the tagging station where a pre‑printed tag with the hunter’s information is attached to the ear. Volunteers then relay the weight to the hunter, who signs off on the record. The data is entered into a master spreadsheet that will later be used for tournament results and for reporting to the VFW post and partner charities.

When the weigh‑in is complete, the hog is taken to the processing area where it is skinned and the meat is sorted for food kitchens, families in need and the veterans who helped hunt. The effort helps combat the roughly 76 million dollars of agricultural damage caused by feral hogs each year in Louisiana, and it provides a meaningful way for veterans to give back. Knowing that the tournament also raises awareness about the 23 veterans a day lost to suicide adds a deeper purpose to every volunteer’s role.