DESCRIPTION:
Providence Ranch is one of the oldest ranches in Texas. This video was captured over the course of two days in May 2014. The hunt spanned over 16,000 acres of Providence Ranch land, as well as friendly neighboring ranches. Marksmen, enthusiasts and friends of the ranch came out to assist in feral (wild) hog population control, a common practice in Texas, necessary for ranch, livestock and natural wild habitat sustainability and safety.

Video, Audio & Sound Design - Concept & Production:
Conrad Heinz

On-site Videography:
Conrad Heinz
Josh Ball

Music:
"I'll Fly Away" - Flatfoot 56

THE HUNT
Settled in 1861 by William Mark Wittenburg, Providence Ranch is one of the oldest and largest ranches in Texas. This video footage was captured over the course of two days in May 2014. The hunt spanned over 16,000 acres of Providence Ranch land, as well as friendly neighboring ranches. Marksmen, enthusiasts and friends of the ranch came out to assist in feral (wild) hog population control, a common practice in Texas, necessary for ranch, livestock and natural wild habitat sustainability and safety. Feral hogs are destructive and dangerous, as they can harm and destroy livestock, wild animals and ranch land. They area a nuisance that requires population control - they are often considered the most prolific large mammal on the planet. Conservatively, sows (female hogs) have approximately 1.5 litters per year averaging between 5 and 6 pigs per litter.

HOG HUNT HISTORY
During the fight for Texas Independence, early settlers fled for safety into the United States and Mexico. During this time, many feral/wild hogs - introduced to Texas over 300 years ago by Spanish explorers - escaped or were released.

Feral hogs compete directly with livestock and non-game wildlife for food. Hogs cause destruction of habitat and agriculture commodities by rooting and trampling activity for food that damage agricultural crops, fields, and livestock feeding and watering facilities. They destabilize wetland areas, springs, creeks and tanks by excessive rooting and wallowing. Hogs can destroy forestry plantings and damage trees. While not active predators, wild hogs may prey on fawns, young lambs, and kid goats. If the opportunity arises, they may also destroy and consume eggs of ground nesting birds, such as turkeys and quail.

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, feral hogs are unprotected, exotic, non-game animals. Therefore, they may be taken by any means or methods at any time of year. There are no seasons or bag limits, however a hunting license and landowner permission are required to hunt them.

PROVIDENCE RANCH HISTORY
William Mark Wittenburg was born in the Prussian Province of Westphalia in what is now Germany on August 15, 1825. After obtaining a Master Sheepherder’s License, he sailed to the United States, and landed in Baltimore in 1848. Nothing is known of his parents, the ship he sailed on or the specific date that he landed in Baltimore. The German economy was in a very distressed state in the 1840’s, and there were a substantial number of immigrants from Gemany to the United States during that time period.

Small bands of Indians frequently stole livestock from farmers in the area, and in the case of horses, it was not uncommon for the horse to be returned in poor shape the following year. The Indians would then repeat the process again and steal fat, healthy horses. On one occasion, Mr. Wittenburg and a group of neighbors gave chase and located their stolen livestock in the Goldthwaite area. In the melee that ensued, William was shot through the left arm with an arrow. Although some of the livestock was recovered, Mr. Wittenburg was left with a permanent scar, and he vowed to focus on raising quality sheep rather than fighting Indians. His family was growing, and the sheep herd was continuing to prosper.

The Wittenburgs ranched as a family and expanded ranch holdings into Edwards County, southwest of Rocksprings, Texas, (about 110 miles west of San Antonio). Each year the Wittenburgs would drive their lambs to the Lometa railyard for shipment to various U.S. markets. While his four sons were loading the lambs on box cars, Mr. Wittenburg supervised. According to the late L. M. Stephens, a longtime, prominent central Texas wool broker, Mr. Wittenburg, while supervising, would pace and say, “Good bye little lambs, good bye little lambs, you have made me what I are.” Over the years, William Mark Wittenburg built one of the finest herds of Delaine sheep in the country and developed a national reputation producing the finest wool available. Mr. Wittenburg was devoted to his faith, his family, defending his country and raising quality sheep. He died at his home on the Wittenburg Ranch, northwest of Lometa, on May 5, 1912. He left a large family that carries on his legacy today.