A&E Network presents “American Hoggers,” a new original real-life series that follows the Campbell family and their struggle to rescue Texas residents and ranches from the devastating chaos caused by millions of invasive wild boars. The 9-episode half-hour series premieres Wednesday, October 19 at 10PM ET/PT. Originally the premier had been scheduled for August 2011 but was delayed due to the Texas heat wave and drought.
Each episode of “American Hoggers” follows legendary Brown County hog hunter Jerry Campbell, 64; his level-headed son, Robert, 28; and firecracker daughter, Krystal, 23; as they respond to those threatened by feral hogs. Located in the heart of Texas, the family dedicates itself to the front lines “ riding horseback, driving a custom-rigged Jeep, using highly trained dogs with GPS tracking systems and employing good old-fashioned know-how to help those endangered by these destructive beasts.” Clad in chaps and cowboy boots, the family sets out in each episode to square off against these extremely intelligent animals that are terrorizing helpless landowners.
Half of the wild boar population in America lives on the Texas countryside. Their populations are growing exponentially into the millions, and they’re tearing up ranchland, feasting on valuable crops and maiming or even killing livestock. They have insatiable appetites, violent temperaments and can grow up to 400 pounds. Feral hogs have caused over $50 million per year in damage to the state of Texas alone. Farms have had to shut down and families have been left scared to step outside their own homes.
When a call comes in, Jerry hops in his custom off-road Jeep, Krystal saddles the horses and Robert rounds up the hog-hunting dogs for jobs that cover every corner of central Texas. They may be called in to help a farmer save his crops, a scrap yard owner who is being harassed by an aggressive boar or an airport official who is crippled by hogs on the runway; no matter how dangerous the situation, the Campbells are prepared for anything.
“American Hoggers” is produced by Thom Beers’ Original Productions, a Fremantle Media Company for A&E. For Original Productions executive producers are Thom Beers and Philip D. Segal. Jeff Conroy serves as co-executive producer and Brandon Killion serves as series producer. A&E executive producers are David McKillop, Elaine Frontain Bryant and Lily Neumeyer.