Feral hogs are an invasive species that have established populations across a vast range of environments. These omnivores reproduce quickly and use their acute sense of smell and rooting behavior to disturb agricultural land and natural ecosystems. The damage they cause, estimated to be billions of dollars annually in the United States, necessitates effective population management. Trapping is recognized as the most effective technique for removing entire family groups, known as sounders, to control this rapidly expanding population. This method requires a coordinated approach, starting with selecting the appropriate enclosure and ending with careful post-capture management.
Selecting the Right Trap System
The success of a trapping program hinges on selecting a system that matches the hog population’s size and behavior. The two primary options are the Box Trap and the Large Corral System. Box traps are smaller, portable, steel-framed enclosures suitable for capturing individual hogs or small bachelor groups. However, their limited capacity makes them inefficient for high-volume removal.
The Large Corral System is the preferred choice for capturing an entire sounder, which is necessary for meaningful population control. These enclosures are constructed from heavy-gauge welded wire livestock panels, typically 5 feet high with a small mesh size to prevent the escape of piglets. A circular or teardrop shape is recommended for corral traps, as it eliminates corners where hogs might pile up and escape. The panels are secured with steel T-posts driven deep into the ground to withstand the immense pushing force of trapped animals.
The gate mechanism is a defining component of the trap system, with two main styles. The drop gate, or guillotine style, is a single-entry door that falls shut when triggered. Rooter gates are hinged to swing inward, allowing subsequent hogs to push their way into the already-closed trap for continuous capture. For large corral systems, a drop gate connected to a remote trigger is often favored to ensure the entire sounder is contained before the trap is sprung.
Strategic Baiting and Pre-Feeding
The operational phase of trapping begins with pre-feeding, which acclimates the entire sounder to the trap location and the enclosure. This step is indispensable because feral hogs are intelligent and quickly become wary of new objects. Trappers must first place bait outside the corral for several days, then gradually move it inside the wired-open enclosure to establish a routine feeding pattern.
This habituation period should last seven to fourteen days, or until trail camera monitoring confirms that all members of the sounder, including dominant adult sows, are routinely entering the structure. The core baiting material is typically whole shelled corn due to its low cost and high palatability. To enhance attraction and reduce interest from non-target species like deer, the corn is often fermented.
Fermenting the corn involves soaking it in water, which initiates a souring process that produces a pungent, appealing odor. This strong smell is highly detectable by a hog’s acute sense of smell, drawing them to the site from a distance. Commercial attractants, such as molasses or anise oil, can also be mixed into the corn to increase its lure. The continuous supply of palatable bait conditions the sounder to associate the trap site with a dependable food source.
Optimal Trap Placement and Setup
Identifying the ideal trap location requires careful scouting, focusing on areas that hogs frequent or are naturally funneled toward. Signs of activity such as fresh tracks, muddy wallows, and “rubs” indicate high-traffic zones. The trap should be positioned on a travel corridor, such as a fence line break or a trail along a creek bed, connecting a bedding area to a feeding location. Positioning the trap upwind of a known resting area maximizes the distance the bait’s scent can travel.
The physical setup must prioritize security and stealth. The perimeter of the corral must be firmly secured to the ground, with the bottom of the panels flush with the soil to prevent rooting and escape. Heavy-gauge wire should be used to lash the panels securely to the T-posts, with multiple ties placed along the post, especially near the ground level.
Camouflaging the enclosure is necessary to reduce the hogs’ wariness of the new structure. This is achieved by placing the trap near dense brush or in a wooded area to blend into the background. Placing brush or tall grass around the sides and inside the enclosure further breaks up the silhouette. The trigger mechanism, whether a trip wire or a root stick, should be positioned at the rear of the trap. This placement forces all hogs to enter fully before one accidentally triggers the gate.
Trap Monitoring and Humane Dispatch
Post-capture management begins with constant monitoring, significantly improved by remote technology. Cellular trail cameras transmit real-time photos or video footage to a mobile device, allowing the operator to observe activity without physically visiting the site. This remote intelligence confirms that the entire sounder has entered the trap before the gate is activated.
Many modern systems utilize remote triggers connected to the trap door, activated via a cell phone call or text message. This combination allows the operator to select the precise moment of capture, maximizing the chance of catching every hog. Remote activation also minimizes the time the animals spend confined, which is a consideration for animal welfare.
Once the hogs are captured, prompt and humane dispatch is required to comply with ethical and legal standards. The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes a single, well-placed gunshot to the brain as a humane method of euthanasia. A firearm chambered in .22 caliber or larger is typically used, with the shot precisely aimed two to three inches above the eyes or slightly behind the ear to ensure immediate insensibility. Local and state regulations must be strictly followed for carcass disposal, which may require burial, composting, or transport to an approved facility.