Wild hogs are an invasive species in Missouri, causing significant environmental and economic damage. Their destructive behaviors and rapid reproduction lead to widespread negative impacts across various ecosystems.
Wild Hogs in Missouri
Wild hogs, also known as feral swine, have a complex history in Missouri. While some populations have existed in the southern part of the state since the days of open range, their numbers began to increase and spread significantly in the 1990s. This surge was largely due to the intentional release of European wild boars for recreational hunting purposes, as well as escapes from private operations.
The majority of wild hogs in Missouri are hybrids of Eurasian wild boars and domestic pigs. They possess characteristics like small eyes, large triangular ears, and long snouts. Adult sows typically average around 110 pounds and boars around 130 pounds, though some can exceed 400 pounds. Capable of breeding year-round, sows can produce up to two litters of four to ten piglets every 12 to 15 months, allowing populations to double in about four months. They often travel in family groups called sounders. Feral hog populations are established in over 30 counties, primarily in the southern third of Missouri, particularly within the Ozark and east-central regions.
Consequences of Wild Hog Presence
The presence of wild hogs in Missouri leads to various negative consequences for the environment, economy, and public health. Their foraging behavior, characterized by rooting and wallowing, causes significant damage. Rooting involves digging with their snouts up to 8 inches deep, disturbing soil and leaf litter, which can accelerate nutrient breakdown and alter plant community composition, including impacting large-seeded species like oaks and hickories. This activity also leads to soil erosion, reduced water quality, and damage to sensitive natural areas such as glades, fens, and springs. Wallowing, where hogs cool themselves in mud, further degrades aquatic systems by eroding streambeds and pond banks, increasing water turbidity, and negatively affecting fish and amphibian populations.
Economically, wild hogs damage agricultural operations. They destroy cultivated crops, pastures, hayfields, orchards, and gardens, contributing to an estimated $2.4 billion in agricultural damage and control efforts annually across the United States. They also compete with native wildlife, such as deer and turkey, for food sources like acorns. Wild hogs are known to prey on young native wildlife, including the eggs of ground-nesting birds like bobwhite quail and wild turkey, and even fawns.
Wild hogs pose public health risks and can spread diseases. They carry at least 30 different diseases, including swine brucellosis, pseudorabies, trichinosis, and leptospirosis. While these can affect humans and pets, they pose a considerable threat to domestic livestock, especially the swine industry, which is currently free of many of these pathogens. An outbreak could lead to devastating losses, causing abortions in sows, high mortality in piglets, and reduced productivity. Hogs can also be aggressive, occasionally attacking humans or causing vehicle accidents due to their nocturnal habits.
Missouri’s Strategy for Wild Hog Management
Missouri employs a comprehensive strategy for managing and eradicating wild hog populations, focusing on elimination rather than population control. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and its partners, including the USDA APHIS-Wildlife Services, lead these efforts. The state’s approach emphasizes removing entire sounders (family groups) of hogs to prevent scattering and re-establishment.
Trapping is considered the most effective method for elimination, often utilizing large corral traps to capture multiple hogs at once. Aerial removal, using helicopters, is another effective tool, particularly in remote or difficult-to-access terrain, as it allows for the quick elimination of groups and the detection of trap-shy individuals. These aerial operations typically occur between November and March when leaf cover is minimal, improving visibility. The state also uses unmanned aircraft systems (drones) for scouting and night operations.
Hunting wild hogs is generally discouraged as a primary eradication method, especially on public lands managed by the MDC. This policy stems from the understanding that hunting often scatters hogs, making them more wary and difficult to trap, which undermines comprehensive elimination efforts. While incidental take of wild hogs is permitted on private land with a valid hunting license and during specific hunting seasons, the overarching recommendation is to report sightings to authorities. Landowners experiencing wild hog damage are encouraged to contact the Missouri Department of Conservation at 573-522-4115 ext. 3296 or visit their website to report sightings and request assistance, which is provided at no cost. Reporting illegal releases of hogs is also important, with a hotline available at 800-392-1111.