Wild hogs, officially classified as feral swine, are present in Pennsylvania. Their population is small, highly localized, and the target of aggressive eradication efforts. This term encompasses any free-roaming Sus scrofa, including escaped domestic pigs, imported Eurasian wild boars, and hybrids. These non-native animals are viewed as an invasive species posing a serious threat to the state’s natural resources and agriculture. Pennsylvania aims for complete removal rather than long-term population control, differing significantly from states with widespread populations.
Confirmation of Wild Hog Presence
The presence of feral swine in the Commonwealth is confirmed, stemming primarily from pigs escaping farm containment and intentional releases for sport hunting preserves. These wild hogs are robust animals capable of surviving harsh conditions and reproducing rapidly, with sows giving birth to multiple litters each year. Their ability to breed quickly means a small, localized population can rapidly expand if left unmanaged. Although they are the same species as domestic swine, generations in the wild result in thick coats, tusks, and a wary temperament. They are classified as an injurious invasive pest, not a protected game animal, reflecting the state’s commitment to preventing their establishment.
Where Wild Hogs Live in Pennsylvania
Feral swine populations in Pennsylvania are not widespread but are limited to isolated pockets, reflecting successful management efforts. Historically, breeding populations were concentrated in the south-central region, particularly Bedford and Fulton counties. Recent data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suggests established populations are confined to as few as three counties. These animals favor areas providing dense forest cover for shelter, proximity to agricultural land for foraging, and access to water for wallowing. The state’s mountainous terrain allows small groups to remain hidden, especially in the southern tier where populations occasionally migrate from adjacent states.
Why Wild Hogs Are a Problem
The primary concern with feral swine is the extensive ecological damage they inflict on native habitats and agricultural operations. Their feeding behavior, known as rooting, involves aggressively digging into the soil with their snouts to search for roots, tubers, and invertebrates. This rooting destroys crops, uproots seedlings, and destabilizes the forest floor, increasing soil erosion and degrading water quality. Feral swine also compete directly with native wildlife, such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey, for food sources like acorns and other mast crops.
Feral swine also present significant health risks due to their ability to harbor and transmit several diseases. They carry pathogens like pseudorabies virus, swine brucellosis, and classical swine fever, posing a direct threat to Pennsylvania’s domestic pork industry. Contact between wild hogs and livestock can require entire herds to be quarantined or culled to prevent wider outbreaks. Furthermore, some of these diseases, including swine brucellosis, are transmissible to humans and other wildlife.
How Pennsylvania Manages the Population
Pennsylvania’s strategy focuses on eradication, not sustainable population management, reflecting the species’ invasive status. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and the USDA’s Wildlife Services division coordinate a strategic response to eliminate any detected sounders (groups of hogs). Feral swine are not classified as game animals, and protection has been removed across all counties, meaning they can be taken year-round.
Licensed hunters are permitted to take feral swine at any time without bag limits, but this approach is less effective than professional trapping. The most successful method involves targeted trapping operations using large, corral-style traps with remote surveillance. This allows the entire social group to be captured simultaneously. This coordinated, professional removal effort is why Pennsylvania has avoided the large, established populations seen in many southern states. The state’s goal remains zero feral swine in the wild.