Feral swine population density continues to rise throughout all 77 counties of Oklahoma, and this invasive species continues to spread across the nation as result of natural range expansion, illegal trapping and movement, and accidental releases from domestic swine operations. As these populations have expanded, debate over the pros and cons of their presence has become more intense. Farmers, livestock producers, hunters, and trappers all have differing opinions on these animals. For some, these animals are destructive and represent a threat to ecosystems and livestock health; while to others, they are a resource for recreation and commerce. Regardless of opinions, feral swine have proven their ability to adapt and multiply, and it is unlikely they will ever be eradicated. As a state, we must develop strategies and approaches to address control while considering the interests of all parties.

Trampled Corn – This cornfield near Meridian, OK was destroyed by feral swine. Damage extended around the entire field and half the crop was lost

Backyard Rooting – A South Texas neighborhood of $500,000 homes fell victim to extensive damage caused by feral swine

"A Pickup Load of Pigs: The Feral Swine Pandemic"

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• eXtension Website Offers Feral Swine Resources
• Warm Weather Increases Concerns Over Feral Swine Diseases
• Rules Change for Feral Swine Tagging and Transport

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) has created the Oklahoma Feral Swine Directories to help connect feral swine hunters/trappers with landowners who want help controlling feral swine and vise versa. The applications required for directory listing can be downloaded below; however, application and listing in the directory is not required to access the directories themselves. Landowners will be grouped by county in the directory, but the location of their property will not be revealed. Only landowner contact information will be displayed, and they will be in control of accepting or declining offers from hunters/trappers. The hunter/trapper directory will list contact information that will allow landowners to extend hunting offers to them. Hunters/trappers and landowners can use these directories to contact each other and arrive at mutually agreeable terms for hunting or trapping feral swine. ODAFF urges all hunters and trappers to respect private property rights and abide by all state regulations and landowners are encouraged to review the Recreational Land Use Liability powerpoint below.

• Feral Swine Hunter/Trapper Directory Application
• Feral Swine Hunters/Trapper Directory
• Feral Swine Landowner Directory Application
• Recreational Land Use Liability

The Feral Swine Control Act was passed in 2008 to address feral swine facility and transporter licensing. This act created oversight of captive feral swine and is intended to prevent the release and propagation of feral swine upon unlicensed properties. Licensed facilities are inspected annually and approved for maintaining feral swine. Licensed transporters are allowed to move large numbers of feral swine across the state for sale to licensed feral swine facilities or slaughter houses.

• Feral Swine Facility License Application
• Feral Swine Transporter License Application
• Feral Swine Control Act & Administrative Rules
• Licensed Feral Swine Facilities

ODAFF does not regulate hunting/trapping of feral swine; however, the 2011-2012 hunting regulations are displayed below for your convenience. Please visit the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation or contact your Local Game Warden for further details.

• Hog Definition – Hogs are defined as any hogs, including Russian and European wild boar, which are running at large, free-roaming or wild.
• Landowner Provisions – Landowners experiencing damage and depredation caused by feral hogs may contact their local game warden to request a night shooting permit to control the hogs. Landowners may obtain a free hog control permit from the local game warden which allows them to harvest hogs during antelope, bear, deer and elk firearm seasons without purchasing the corresponding big game license.
• Releasing Hogs – No person may willfully release any hog to live in a feral state on public or private lands. Beginning Nov. 1, the “Judas pig tagging system” will be permitted. See the Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture, Food & Forestry hog rules on this page for explanation.
• Shooting Hours – One-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset. For sunrise/sunsettable, see page 60.
• Hunter Orange – For hunter orange requirements, see page 12.
• Private Lands – Hogs may be taken year-round on private land during daylight hours with the landowner’s permission. The pursuit of feral hogs with a shotgun on private property is not restricted by shot size.
• Resident & Nonresident License Requirements - No hunting license required. All persons pursuing hogs during youth deer gun, bear muzzleloader (in open counties), deer muzzleloader, deer gun, holiday antlerless deer gun (in open zones), elk gun (in open counties) and antelope gun (in open areas) seasons with a shotgun and rifled slug, or any rifle or handgun larger than .22 caliber rimfire, must possess a filled or unfilled license appropriate for the current season, unless otherwise exempt.
• Public Lands – Hogs may be taken on lands owned or managed by the Department during any established hunting season(s) with methods authorized for those lands and season(s). In addition, persons pursuing hogs must comply with all other WMA regulations (see page 36). However, hogs may not be taken by the aid of a light or light enhancement device (night scope).
• Resident & Nonresident License Requirements - All persons pursuing hogs with a firearm or archery equipment must possess a hunting license (see page 4), unless otherwise exempt. In addition, persons pursuing hogs on WMAs open during youth deer gun, bear muzzleloader (in open counties), deer muzzleloader, deer gun, holiday antlerless deer gun (in open zones), elk gun (in open counties) and antelope gun (in open areas) seasons with a shotgun and rifled slug, or any rifle or handgun larger than .22 caliber rimfire, must possess either a filled or unfilled license appropriate for the current season, unless otherwise exempt.

• Mississippi State University: Landowner Management Guide
• Noble Foundation: The Feral Hog in Oklahoma
• Review of methods to mitigate impact by wild boar and feral hogs

• Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Feral Swine Hunting Regulations
• Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, & Forestry, Wildlife Services Division
• eXtension Feral Swine Webpage
• Mississippi State University, Wild Pig Info
• USDA APHIS Wildlife Services

For questions about the program, contact:

Nichole Carrillo or Justin Roach, DVM
Phone:(405) 522-6124