Most Texas hunting seasons are closed, but the season never ends on feral hogs. The abundant hogs are a mixed blessing – a challenging game animal that yields tasty pork but a pest that causes millions of dollars worth of damage to farm and ranchlands and competes with native wildlife.

A group called Blue Collar Bowhunter is hosting its second annual Texas Big Nasty Hog Contest from Feb. 6-March 8. The entry fee is $100 per two-person team, and the contest pays back 100 percent of the entry money in prizes. Last year, nearly $10,000 worth of prizes went to the winning teams.

Contest rules and other details are available at www.texasbignastyhogcontest.com, or you can call 903-767-9618. There are prizes for best video, most hogs, longest tusks and heaviest single hog. Opening ceremonies and final registration for the contest is Feb. 6 at Pine Forest Community Center east of Sulphur Springs. There's a map on the Web site.

By RAY SASSER / The Dallas Morning News