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Feral Hogs: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Forestry on the Grow Conference2014
Jaret RushingCEA-Agri
Calhoun County
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)
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
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
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
Residential
Farm roads
Livestock/forage production
Row crops
Creek/stream banks
Forest regeneration
Agricultural Impacts
• Destruction of crops and pasturelands• Transmittal of livestock diseases• Food safety issues
(e.g., spinach)
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
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”
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
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
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
Always remember……
If you’re trapping and doing the right thing, your neighbor might not be. So, try to work together!