Wild hogs are a significant invasive species in Tennessee. They pose threats to the state’s natural ecosystems and agricultural industries. Classified as a destructive species, it is against state regulations to possess, transport, or release live wild hogs. They cause extensive damage and require ongoing management.
Wild Hog Distribution in Tennessee
Wild hog populations have expanded dramatically across Tennessee, now found in nearly 80 of the state’s 95 counties. This is a substantial increase from approximately 15 counties a few decades ago. While initial populations were concentrated in the Cumberland Plateau and South Cherokee areas, illegal stocking contributed to their spread into Middle and West Tennessee.
In East Tennessee, wild hogs are present near the Smoky Mountains and specific Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) like North Cherokee, Kyker Bottoms, and Foothills. Middle Tennessee has populations in counties such as Maury and Marshall. Along the Mississippi River and in WMAs like Meemen-Shelby State Park, wild hogs are also found in West Tennessee. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) actively monitors these distributions, noting that populations can double in a single year.
Understanding the Impact of Wild Hogs
Wild hogs cause significant damage to agriculture and the environment. In agricultural settings, they destroy crops like corn, oats, and wheat through rooting and trampling. This results in significant financial losses for farmers, with statewide estimates over $26 million annually and national figures exceeding $1.5 billion.
Beyond crops, these animals degrade natural environments by destroying wildlife habitats, accelerating soil erosion, and polluting water sources. Their omnivorous diet leads them to prey on native wildlife, including turkey eggs, poults, fawns, ground-nesting birds, amphibians, and reptiles. Wild hogs are also carriers of at least 45 different parasites and diseases, including Brucellosis, pseudorabies, and salmonella, posing risks to livestock, pets, other wildlife, and humans.
State-Level Management and Control Strategies
State agencies, including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and USDA Wildlife Services, lead wild hog management efforts. In 2011, Tennessee reclassified wild hogs from a big game animal to a destructive nuisance species. This change aimed to remove incentives for sport hunting that inadvertently encouraged their illegal spread, shifting focus towards eradication.
Management strategies primarily involve trapping programs, considered the most effective control method. These programs often utilize modern technology like cameras and sensors for remote monitoring to ensure the capture of entire groups of hogs. Landowners are granted specific exemptions, allowing them to shoot wild hogs year-round during daylight hours with any legal weapon and to trap them with bait outside of big game seasons.
Enhanced exemptions for landowners may permit night shooting with artificial light or thermal devices, shooting over bait during big game seasons, and the use of dogs. The TWRA and USDA Wildlife Services also provide technical assistance, including specialized control methods like aerial gunning. The Wild Hog Eradication Action Team (WHEAT), a partnership of 25 organizations, was established to coordinate efforts in eliminating illegal stocking, implementing effective control measures, and educating the public about the threats posed by wild hogs.
Public Role and Safety
Public awareness and cooperation are necessary for managing wild hog populations and ensuring safety. Individuals should maintain a safe distance if they encounter wild hogs, as these animals can be aggressive if threatened or when protecting their young. Feeding wild hogs is discouraged, as it can habituate them to human presence and exacerbate problems.
Reporting wild hog sightings to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) helps track and manage these animals. Landowners experiencing issues with wild hogs can contact the TWRA or USDA Wildlife Services for technical assistance and guidance on control measures. When handling a deceased wild hog, wear protective gloves, avoid direct contact with blood and organs, wash hands thoroughly, and ensure the meat is cooked completely to mitigate disease transmission risks.