MDC

Shoot Feral Hogs on Sight

Why are feral hogs a problem?

These domestic hogs gone wild degrade wildlife habitat and private property, compete with native wildlife for food and can pose a threat to humans, pets and domestic livestock through the spread of disease.

They spread devastating diseases to people, livestock and pets

In other states, feral hogs are known to carry diseases such as swine brucellosis, pseudo-rabies, trichinosis and leptospirosis. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control reported that several hunters contracted Brucella suis infection as a result of field-dressing kills made in the southeastern part of the nation.

They destroy habitat and young wildlife

Just like their domestic cousins, feral hogs spend a lot of time rooting and wallowing. This behavior contributes to soil erosion, reduces water quality and damages agricultural crops and hay fields. It also destroys sensitive natural areas such as glades, fens and springs.

Hogs have a keen sense of smell and are opportunistic feeders. They forage heavily on acorns, competing with native species such as deer and turkeys for this important fall food. They commonly eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds and have been reported to kill and eat fawns.

How did the problem arise?

Several counties south of I-44 have had feral hogs roaming the countryside since the days of open range. These populations were isolated and kept in check by local hunting efforts.

The situation took a wrong turn in the 1990s when hog hunting for recreation began to gain popularity. Groups started raising and promoting European wild boar as a form of alternative agriculture and for hunting on licensed shooting areas. It wasn’t long before many of these hogs escaped or were intentionally released on public land.

Because feral hogs are highly adaptable and prolific breeders, their numbers started growing at an alarming rate. By 2000, the Conservation Department was receiving damage complaints from private landowners.

Today feral hog populations are established in over 20 south Missouri counties and sightings of feral hogs occur across the state.

How can we fix the problem?

Controlling feral hogs is difficult. Populations are small, isolated and usually found in the remote, rugged terrain of the Ozarks, making locating and harvesting the hogs tricky. Adding to the problem of eradication is a growing occurrence of illegal hog releases across the state.

There is hope, however. Concentrated shooting and trapping efforts by state and federal employees, private landowners and recreational hunters have brought some success. And while most outdoor enthusiasts do not target feral hogs specifically, opportunities exist for deer, turkey and other hunters to harvest hogs while pursuing other game.

Overall, private landowners are taking care of their own property. Help is needed to control hogs on public lands.

In Missouri, feral hogs may be taken in any number throughout the year. During most of the year, no permit is required and any method (including baiting and the use of dogs) is allowed. However, special restrictions apply during the fall firearms deer and turkey seasons. Refer to the current Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations for specific information.

The Conservation Department asks that all hunters who encounter a feral hog shoot it on sight. Doing so will reduce the feral hog population and keep the spread of this destructive pest in check.

Control Tips and Regulations

• Feral hogs are not native to Missouri and can be taken in any number at any time. Before shooting, however, be certain the hog is feral and is not escaped livestock.
• No permit is needed to pursue feral hogs except during deer and turkey seasons. See deer and turkey regulation booklets for details.
• Because feral hogs move frequently in response to hunting pressure and food sources, local conservation agents cannot provide specific site locations.
• Most hunting opportunities are limited to public lands at Mark Twain National Forest in Phelps, Pulaski, Texas, Iron, Reynolds, Barry and Stone counties; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers properties around Stockton and Table Rock lakes; White Ranch Conservation Area south of West Plains; and Fort Leonard Wood. Check with area managers for special regulations.
• Missouri feral hog populations are relatively small and thinly scattered. Because hunting is difficult and the chance of success is limited, special trips from out of state to hunt feral hogs in Missouri are not recommended.
• Overall, private landowners are taking care of their property. Help is needed to control hogs on public land.
• Because feral hogs have a large home range and move in response to hunting pressure and food availability, conservation agents are generally unable to give specific locations where you might find hogs.
• For similar reasons, the Conservation Department does not keep a list of private land where feral hogs have been reported.
• Common courtesy and state law require that you obtain permission from a landowner before hunting on private property.

• Hunter orange is required during fall firearms deer and turkey seasons. Consider wearing it whenever you hunt feral hogs.
• For hunter safety, multi-shot, high-powered rifles are recommended. From ground positions, muzzleloaders, single-shot rifles and bows are not recommended due to increased down time between shots. If you plan to hunt from the ground and use a muzzleloader, bow or single-shot rifle, it is recommended that you have a backup firearm.
• When scouting for feral hogs, search regrown clear-cut areas first. Being primarily nocturnal, feral hogs use these areas to sleep in during the day. For even greater success, consider scouting the areas around these clear-cut areas as well.
• Hunting in groups is one of the most successful hog-hunting strategies. Here’s one way to do it: one or more hunters take a stand on the downhill side of a clear-cut where sign indicates hogs have been traveling to and from cover. Other hunters slowly walk through the clear-cut to drive the animals toward the shooters in the stands. Keep in mind that these clear-cuts are often covered with new oak-tree growth, which severely limits hunter visibility. Hunter orange clothing is highly recommended. And, as always, identify your target before you pull the trigger.

• Also highly successful, but controversial, is the use of “hog dogs.” Hog dogs are used to locate the hog’s scent trail, follow the trail to the hog population and bay (hold in place) individual members of the herd until hunters are able to arrive. Some hunters ride horses and/or mules to follow the dogs. Remember that hog dogs are legal only for hogs and not for deer or turkey.
• U.S. Forest Service roads serve as easy access to a large portion of the feral hog territory, but hogs often get savvy to hunting pressure near these roads and move off into more remote territory. For increased hunting success try hunting Forest Service land that is not as accessible from roads.
• Whatever your hunting plans, keep in mind that taking a feral hog is not a sure thing.

Help monitor disease

• If you harvest a hog, collect the blood in a small, clean jar and send to the Missouri Department of Agriculture Animal Health Laboratory, 216 El Mercado Plaza, P.O. Box 630, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0630, for disease testing. Label the jar with your name, address and telephone number, along with the date and location of the kill. You can also get a testing kit from your local conservation agent.
• Report sightings to MDC by calling 573-522-4115, ext. 3147, or the State Veterinarian's office at 573-751-3377.

Hunting regulations

• Feral hogs may be taken in any number throughout the year. During most of the year, no permit is required and any method, including baiting and the use of dogs, is allowed. However, special restrictions apply during the fall firearms deer and turkey hunting seasons. Please refer to the current Fall Deer and Turkey Hunting Regulations Information brochure located in the related information below.
• Make sure feral hogs are truly feral and not someone’s livestock. Hunters who kill marked domestic raised hogs can be held liable for damages.
• All Missouri Department of Natural Resources state park property is deemed a wildlife refuge and is off limits to all hunting and vehicle traffic.
• It is illegal to hunt on private property without the landowner’s permission. First-degree trespass offenses carry a $500 fine. If you wish to hunt on private land, always ask permission first. Landowners often post or define the land boundaries of their property by marking trees, fence posts and other perimeter objects with purple paint. In a court of law, such marked properties are deemed posted against all activities.

Other legal considerations

Missouri Revised Statute 270.260.

Any person who knowingly releases any swine to live in a wild or feral state upon any public land or private land not completely enclosed by a fence capable of containing such animals is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Each swine so released shall be a separate offense.

Missouri Revised Statute 270.400. Killing of feral hogs is permitted when:

1. For purposes of this section, the term "feral hog" means any hog, including Russian and European wild boar, that is not conspicuously identified by ear tags or other forms of identification and is roaming freely upon public or private lands without permission.
2. A person may kill a feral hog roaming freely upon such person's land and shall not be liable to the owner of the hog for the loss of the hog.
3. Any person may take or kill a feral hog on public land or private land with the consent of the landowner; except that, during the firearms deer and turkey hunting season the regulations of the Missouri wildlife code shall apply. Such person shall not be liable to the owner of the hog for the loss of such hog.
4. No person except a landowner or such landowner's agent on such landowner's property shall take or kill a feral hog with the use of an artificial light.

(Feral hog hunters may legally harvest any number, size and/or sex of feral hog.)

Practice safety when hunting and handling

Whether it’s a 400-pound boar with 5-inch tusks or an enraged sow defending her litter, feral hogs are formidable and have been known to attack human beings. Perhaps the greater risk, though, is that of contracting a disease from an infected hog. People can catch undulant fever from feral hogs infected with swine brucellosis. While this disease has not been found in feral hogs in Missouri, it has been found in 10 nearby states. Humans become infected with the disease when they handle the tissues of diseased pigs.

Climb the nearest tree

Feral hogs have excellent senses of smell and hearing and normally avoid contact with humans. There are occasions of hogs chasing hunters up trees, but these are rare, isolated instances. The vast majority of hogs flee from humans. However, should you find yourself nose-to-snout with an angry pig, the best defense is to climb the nearest tree. If the pig charges, sidestep quickly, taking care to avoid the swing of its tusks and promptly find a tree to scamper up.

Don’t feed raw meat to pets and cook meat thoroughly before eating it

If you harvest a feral hog, you may keep the meat or give it to someone else. Wear plastic or rubber gloves while dressing feral hogs, and bury the offal to prevent the spread of disease. Do not feed raw meat or organs to pets or livestock. As with all pork, cook the meat thoroughly before you eat it.