Pig hunting with dogs, or 'pigdogging' is a popular form of recreational hunting in Australian society and a growing community and human-animal culture overlooked in anthropology. Through ethnographic fieldwork - observing hunts, interviewing hunters, and following social media - this project aims to better understand pigdogging by respectfully and accurately representing the experiences, relations, and worlds of those who live it. Research explores this way of life mostly in NSW, but also other parts of Australia, analysing multiple aspects such as:
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human-dog teamwork
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the role of social media
- changing technologies, dogs, and approaches to hunting
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the experience and aesthetics of pigdogging
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emerging identities and visibilty of women
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harvesting and export industry
In addition, hunting is an opportunity to gain a deep understanding of wild pigs, a maligned but extraordinary animal in Australia. By analysing hunter perspectives in relation to veterinarians, government departments, farmers and other stakeholders, this research will explore people's varying and complex entanglements with feral pigs. And in doing so better make sense of the behaviour, place and identity of feral animals in Australia, while developing new insights into Australian attitudes on the environment.
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If you would like to learn more about pigdogging research, or participate anonymously, feel free to email keil@eu.cas.cz To learn more about who I am, go to the ABOUT page
