Cooperative Extension Service urges legal compliance when dealing with feral hogs
By U of A System Division of Agriculture
Oct. 14, 2016
Fast Facts:
- Feral hog populations spreading to northern counties in Arkansas
- Chronic Wasting Disease management zones affect feral hog trapping
- Landowners attempting to trap feral hogs should contact wildlife management authorities
(556 words)
LITTLE ROCK — As feral hogs become an increasing nuisance in the northern counties of Arkansas, farmers, land owners and other residents need to be aware of any local trapping or baiting ordinances that may be in effect in their respective areas.
Becky McPeake, professor of wildlife extension for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said luring hogs into corral traps using bait is the recommended method for capture and removal. However, the most commonly used bait is whole corn — which attracts a number of wildlife species in addition to feral hogs.
Recently, baiting wildlife became illegal in the 10-county Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone, which includes Boone, Carroll, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Pope, Searcy and Yell counties.
“Feral hogs are found in every county in the state,” McPeake said. “However, it’s becoming more of an issue in the northern counties, as the hogs continue spreading in that direction. It’s an area with a lot of cattle production, so we’re hearing more reports of pasture damage. But anywhere people have lawns, gardens or crops, they’re causing problems, including habitat destruction.”
Beginning in February of this year, Don White, Jr., professor and wildlife ecologist for the Division of Agriculture began assisting the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in efforts to determine the geographical spread and prevalence of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer and elk throughout Arkansas.
Chronic Wasting Disease, commonly referred to as CWD, is a transmissible form of spongiform encephalopathy, which kills members of the deer family by altering proteins known as prions in the animals’ brains. Symptoms include weight loss to the point of emaciation, excessive salivation, loss of coordination and death. White said there is currently no vaccine for the disease, which results in 100 percent fatality.
Baiting is thought to intensify the spread of CWD among individual deer and elk through their increased contact at baiting sites, where infected animals can more readily transmit the disease. CWD prions are not known to be transmissible to humans or to other non-cervid species.
Navigating regulations regarding baiting feral hogs within the CWD management zone can be somewhat confusing, McPeake said.
Feral hogs are not considered nuisance wildlife because they are domesticated animals, and as such, are not considered wildlife in Arkansas.
Additionally, baiting deer and elk is allowed when hunting on private land Sept. 1- Dec. 31. Baiting other wildlife, including nuisance wildlife, is illegal year round in the management zone.
The law states nuisance wildlife such as raccoons cannot be baited any time of year in the CWD Management Zone without permission, so it would be illegal if raccoons or other species were discovered feeding on corn intended to attract feral hogs.
Given this new law, the Arkansas Game and Fish Comission advises landowners and hunters who want to remove feral hogs in the 10-county CWD Management Zone to contact their local wildlife officer in advance regarding individuals’ intentions to use bait to trap nuisance hogs.
“It’s best to leave the gun at home when setting out corn to attract hogs in preparation for trapping, to avoid any misunderstanding,” McPeake said.
The Cooperative Extension Service is planning several feral hog control workshops for November near Horseshoe Bend and Mountain View.
To learn more about controlling feral hogs in Arkansas and upcoming workshops, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit http://www.uaex.uada.edu/feralhogs.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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