Viability of Hunting as a Means of Wild Hog Population Management on Federal Property

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area allows hunter to purchase permits and hunt wild hogs on property with the intention of curbing increases in wild hog populations. In order to assess outcomes of the wild hog hunting permit program, researchers collaborated with site managers to develop protocol and solicit information from permit holders regarding number of animals seen and harvested, sex of animals harvested, geographic areas hunted, length and number of hunts, and open qualitative feedback regarding the program. All permit holders agreeing to be contacted during permit registration were called with 37.57% (N=65) of permit holder completing the telephone survey. While more hogs were seen than harvested, the total harvested hogs was 52. Results indicate hunting is not a viable option for population management in and of itself, as the number if wild hogs harvested was minimal. A longitudinal study is necessary to overcome case study (single year) limitations, such as weather, hunter economics, herd movement, herd reproduction and so forth. Salient variables may warrant consideration, including marketing of permit program, number of hunters within acceptable driving distance to hunting location, and much more. Herd management initiatives beyond hunting may be considered when necessary to control wild hog populations