Feral Hogs: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Forestry on the Grow Conference2014

Jaret RushingCEA-Agri

Calhoun County

Some acknowledgments

• Dr. Rebecca McPeake• Blake Sasse• Clint Turnage

HistoryEarly European Settlers

– de Soto– Cortez

BLOODLINE?

Bloodline

Expansion in Arkansas• Settlers regularly let their hogs roam free until livestock

fencing laws were implemented in AR in the mid 1900s– Fencing laws ignored in several parts of the state

through the 1970s and 1980s.• Escapes of hogs kept as livestock in AR common

through the 1970s• 1977 - estimated wild hogs found in 4% of AR and were

considered to be declining• Movement and intentional release of hogs by hunters

wishing to establish new populations believed common in last 30 years

Blake Sasse, 2010

Reproductive Characteristics

• Gestation?–Triple-3

• Reproduction?–Reproductive rate (12-15 months)–Maturity (8 months old)

• Litter Size?–Average (4-8 piglets)

Houston, we have a problem!

Do I have hogs on my land?

Hogs can be very sneaky due to their nature so identifying them on your lands may take a little

training and understanding.Feral hogs have the tendency to be nocturnal

HOG SIGN

Tracks

Scat

Hog scat Deer scat

Wallows/Rubs

• Feral hogs lack conventional sweat glands.– Wallows– “Sunburn”

Wallows/Rubs Concern

• Holes create back road hazards, break field equipment

• Soil erosion & sedimentation• Fecal matter found in water supplies,

swimming holes• Stunt or girdle trees• Compact soil around tree roots• Impede forest regeneration

Other signs

Feeding Characteristics

• Opportunistically omnivorous• Feral hogs are primarily root and tuber

feeders.– ONE OF THE MAJOR BY-PRODUCTS OF FEEDING

FOR ROOTS AND TUBERS IS……?

ROOTING

Rooting can be anywhere and affect any type of land use technique

ResidentialFarm roads

Livestock/forage productionRow crops

Creek/stream banksForest regeneration

Kentucky livestock farmer

Calhoun County, AR

Other food sources

• Roots• Grasses• Forbes• Mast• Insects• Dead Carcasses

Agricultural Impacts• Destruction of crops and pasturelands• Transmittal of livestock diseases• Food safety issues

(e.g., spinach)

Other Concerns

• Wildlife competition– Resources

• Trespassing issues• Pets

Specific wildlife competition issues

• Direct competition with wildlife for limited food sources (e.g., acorns)

• Competition for habitat and space

• Consumption of some game species and species of concern

• Spread of invasive plant species

Potential benefits?

Benefits?

HuntingRaising for slaughter

FoodMonetary gain

Viewing/aesthetics

Hunting Impacts

• Additional recreation opportunity• Food source• Expenditures for equipment & dogs

– GPS receivers– ATVs– Hog dogs, collars, training equipment

• Some receive income from selling “hog hunts”

Public perception ?

Arkansas Laws

• ACT 1104 of 2013• Feral hogs are deemed as a “public nuisance”

species– Non-game nor domesticated livestock

• Transportation in the state is illegal UNLESS;– Transporting to a terminal facility

• Once captured by any means, removal (killing) on the spot

Control

• After maturity, feral hogs have very little natural predators

• Prior to maturity, only several carnivores in Arkansas are predacious to feral hogs

Control• Depends on your goal– Eradication – complete elimination– Population reduction• Must be significant and sustained • Hog populations that are reduced by up to

70% can return to pre-control levels in less than 3 years if anti-hog measures aren’t sustained

• May have to determine some level of “acceptable” damage you’re willing to live with

Sasse 2010

Control Method

• Hunting• Trapping• Castrating

Trap Types

PEN TRAPS

The key to catching hogs in a trap is to have a good door system!

Trap Doors – Rooter gate

• Recommended option • Set to let hogs in until

doors are triggered• “Rooter” option lets

hogs continue to push into the trap

• Multiple panels lets small hogs in without opening gate enough for others to get out

• ExpensiveBlake Sasse, 2010

Protach

Trap Doors – No Door

• Cheapest option• Seems to catch as many

as those with doors• Can also bend back one

of the door panels and tie it to a trip wire so it slams shut when a hog hits it

Blake Sasse, 2010

Other door types

• Guillotine/Slide• Swinging door• Electric/automated– AGFC example

Bait

• There are several different types of bait to use.– From personal experience “Buck Jam” is a great

bait– Corn as well

• The recipe is 150 lbs of corn, 8 lbs of sugar, 2-3 packets of yeast and 5-6 packets of strawberry jello. We seal it in metal drums and let it ferment for about 4 weeks

Other tips for trapping

• Pre-bait• Bait around the outside of the pen– Utilize more than one trap type

• Move traps continually• Utilize different bait types• Be creative, yet honest

Creativity without honesty• Santa Cruz Islands• Fort Benning, Georgia

Always remember……

If you’re trapping and doing the right thing, your neighbor might not be. So, try to work together!

Questions?