i didn't realize it...

but this might be the most "florida" story i've ever read.

along with a lot of snowbirds, we have a second population that booms in the state of florida: feral pigs. called "creepy" by many residents, the pigs can be as large as 3 feet tall, and 200 pounds. we have the spanish settlers in the 1500s to thank for their proliferation here, and now the population is out of control.

the south florida water management district has a solution. shoot 'em. more specifically, let children shoot 'em.

20 students, including 9 year old cecelia plummer, are embarking on an expedition to a manatee county reserve to hunt and kill the pigs, thus reducing the population in the wild. swiftmud held an essay contest to recruit the students, who will be of ages 8-16

the hunt began three years ago, with an expanded focus to include deer and wild turkey. kenny barker, a youth hunt coordinator, believes that this is helping to reinstitute a dying tradition in the state: children with guns. "this is a part of our heritage here in Florida, and we've lost a couple of generations of hunters," said Barker. "this is an effort to recruit and retain some new hunters for our future. kids need to learn that food doesn't come from a grocery store."

little cecelia is excited about that part. she's already learned to shoot a gun and made a couple bulls-eyes. and her goal when she catches her pig?

"that's easy, make more bacon out of it."

so hooray for a boon in barbaric ways to make bacon, and HOORAY FLORIDA!