Hog Removal Program Underway

Striking Back Against Wild Hogs

On January 2, when people began working on their New Year's Resolutions, conservationists across the state began one of the most important citizen-led efforts ever. The Michigan Feral Hog Removal ProgramÑan innovative partnership of the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services branch, and many other groupsÑofficially started that day. In the first few weeks of January, several citizens were trained to detect and trap hogs, some special traps were built, and helicopter-aided surveys were conducted in key areas where hogs had been concentrated the previous fall. The Michigan Pork Producers Association and other groups with a lot to lose if the threat of wild hogs is not effectively addressed, stepped-up with donations.

"Citizens are the key to controlling Michigan's growing feral hog problem," said Tim Wilson, a biologist with USDA Wildlife Services. "The hogs are too widespread for traditional control efforts by governmental agencies to be cost effective. This partnership gives us a chance to put our efforts when and where it will do the most good."

Over the years, hundreds of wild boars, mostly of Eurasian stock, have escaped from hunting ranches and breeding/raising facilities in Michigan. Wild hogs have been confirmed in at least 69 of Michigan's 83 counties and our state may already have 3,000 Ð 5,000 wild hogs and the habitat to support a huge, destructive population. Most are in bands of fewer than 20 animals, but are reproducing in the wild and spreading. The hogs are already causing crop and forest damage, and diseases that could devastate the domestic swine industry were found in free-roaming wild hogs shot in Shiawassee County.

"Effective action is urgently needed and must go beyond simply encouraging sport hunters to shoot feral pigs," said Conservancy President Bill Taylor, of Olivet. "We need citizen help on many frontsÑfinding and reporting hogs, documenting crop and lawn damage, fund-raising, contacting legislators, and educating others about this menace."

Despite bills that have been introduced during the past three years to permanently make it legal to kill free-roaming hogs and ban wild boars from being kept in Michigan, no legislation has been passed. Worse still, the issue has slipped under the radar of many Michigan citizens. There are a lot of misconceptions; many people think the problem is domestic swine that have gotten loose from farms. They are often shocked to find out this is an exotic species nightmareÑEurasian wild boars complete with tusks. Another critical misconception is that destruction of habitat, crops and lawns is happening "out in the boon-docks." In reality, we are starting to see damage in suburban areas and right in the middle of villages like Sanford in Midland County.

The Michigan Feral Hog Removal Program is about building a network of volunteers who can work with wildlife officials in a widespread hog elimination program. "Wild hogs have gotten out of control in nearly 40 other states, causing almost $1 billion in damage to forests, residential areas, crops, and livestock annually," added Taylor. "We aim to make Michigan as inhospitable as possible for this exotic species."

Organizations and individuals can make a difference by:

• Donating funds via the Conservancy. For every $450 received another hog trap can be built and deployed.
• Reporting the presence of wild hogs to the Conservancy at 517-641-7677 or via email at wildlife@miwildlife.org.
• Contacting legislators to request their support of bills to address the wild hog problem.
• Considering direct involvement as a volunteer hog trapper. Contact the Conservancy for more information about this opportunity. Hog trapping is time-consuming and physically demanding, so it is not for everyone. The immediate need for trained hog trappers is much greater in certain areas than others; Conservancy staff can advise if and when traps will be available in various areas of the state.
• Share information about Michigan's growing hog problem with others. See the Conservancy's website for written information.

"The goal of the Michigan Feral Hog Removal Program is to greatly increase the number of wild hogs shot annually by citizens and to place at least 90 volunteer-operated hog traps around the state," said Conservancy President Taylor. "We have a lot of work to do, but we are confident our state's citizens will respond to this critically-important challenge."

Dr. Patrick J. Rusz
Director of Wildlife Programs