SMALL ROCK, ARK. – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced the removal of 27,803 feral pigs from the state since January 2020 by the Arkansas Feral Pig Eradication Task Force.
The task force, made up of 21 federal and state agencies and nongovernmental organizations, was created by the Arkansas Legislature during the 2017 general session to eradicate feral hogs in Arkansas.
Feral hog eradication efforts over the past two years have helped more than 650 private and public landowners across the state of Arkansas. In addition, members of the task force facilitated eight workshops for landowners to raise awareness of the damage caused by feral hogs.
“The feral hog collections by task force members reflect the continued collaboration and commitment of our county, state, and federal partners to address and minimize harm associated with feral hogs statewide,” says JP Fairhead, Feral Pig Eradication Program Coordinator. “The moves and feedback received from landowners indicate that the efforts of task force members and landowners have led to reduced population and damage in areas where our county, state and federal resources are allocated.”
Feral hogs in Arkansas are estimated to cause at least $41 million in agricultural damage each year, including $34 million in damage to soybeans, corn, cotton, wheat, hay, pecans and to rice, as well as $7.3 million in damage to livestock.
For property owners experiencing damage from feral hogs, please call USDA Wildlife Services at 501-835-2318 for assistance. Report feral pig harvests through the Survey123 reporting app.
