THE TRUTH ABOUT WILD HOGS IN MICHIGAN

During the past eight weeks, supporters of four House Bills that would negate a pending ban on possessing live wild hogs made statements that are simply incorrect.  Wild hogs have been studied long and carefully enough that many aspects of their nature and behavior are not debatable.  We feel compelled to set the record straight, and dispel myths that could hamper understanding of Michigan’s growing problem.

(Myth)  All pigs are the same species and therefore there are no genetic differences between a domestic pig and a wild hog.  That is, a domestic pig on the loose is the same as a Russian boar on the loose, and if both types are behind fences, both should be considered Sus scrofa domesticus.

(Reality)  Domestic pigs and wild hogs are of the same species (i.e. Sus scrofa) and can have similar impacts on ecosystems and crops when on the loose.  But there are significant taxonomic (Eurasian wild boar are not Sus scrofa domesticus), genetic, morphological and behavioral differences between the Eurasian wild boar at game ranches and the domestic pigs at farms.  There is an impressive body of scientific literature that describes these differences.  Eurasian wild boar were brought to the U.S. (and Michigan) precisely because they are leaner, meaner and faster than their domestic counterparts.  They represent a much larger threat to Michigan than domestic pigs.  

(Myth)  The wild hogs on the loose in Michigan came mostly from illegal releases, and escapes of domestic pigs from farms.

(Reality)  There likely have been some illegal releases and some escapes of domestics, but the vast majority of hogs on the loose in our state undoubtedly came from game ranches and related breeding facilities where several well-documented escapes have occurred (e.g., in Midland and Saginaw Counties.)  Wild hogs with ear tags from game ranches have been shot in Dickinson and Hillsdale Counties.  There was no wild hog problem before large numbers of ranches began selling wild hog hunts.  The hogs being shot, trapped, hit by cars and photographed in Michigan are predominately Eurasian wild boar of the type found at the game ranches and breeding facilities.  There is ample evidence that game ranches are continuing to leak wild hogs.  

(Myth)  There are few, if any, wild hogs on the loose in Michigan.

(Reality)  Wild hogs have been reported in 69 of Michigan’s 83 counties and hundreds have already been killed or trapped.  Documentation with photos from trail cameras and kill data indicate significant breeding populations in at least 18 large areas of Michigan.  They are particularly numerous in Arenac, Bay, Midland, Gladwin, Mecosta, Hillsdale and Cheboygan Counties.  Knowing the exact number of wild hogs on the loose in Michigan is not necessary or helpful before starting eradication efforts.  It is clear there are enough wild hogs to warrant urgent action.  Estimates can be made by applying multipliers to kill data and assumptions of hog density based on the frequency of damage and observed sign.  Depending on how conservatively multipliers are derived, estimates of wild hogs in Michigan as low as 1,000 or as high as 5,000 are reasonable.  Wild hogs do not likely number in the tens of thousands at this time, so it might still be possible to eradicate them.  

(Myth)  No wild hogs are being brought into Michigan-- that would be illegal.

(Reality)  It is legal to bring in wild hogs from Canada or from other U.S. states provided they are certified as disease free.  Two Michigan game ranches have applied for and received permits from the Michigan Department of Agriculture to import Eurasian wild boar from Canada.  Only the three game ranches and one breeding facility where pseudorabies was found in wild hogs in 2008 are restricted from importing wild hogs.  

(Myth)  A complete ban on possessing wild hogs would put many game ranches out of business and hurt Michigan economically.

(Reality)  Some Michigan game ranches and related breeding facilities do make more money from Eurasian wild hogs than from other species.  However, most game ranches offer a variety of animals to clients, and a ban on wild hogs would merely require shifts in their offerings.  Previous investments in fencing and facilities would have value in containing other animals.  Wild hogs at game ranches in Michigan are profitable for some because of lack of regulations, and market conditions that developed fairly recently.  Most of Michigan’s game ranches have not opted to use wild hogs.  Many that formerly had wild hogs have already gone out of business or no longer want to deal with them.  A few years ago, USDA Wildlife Services assisted with removal of wild hogs at a Michigan game ranch because they were negatively impacting the owner’s captive cervids (deer and/or elk).  Wild hogs behind fences are not economically important in any other U.S. state.  There is no evidence the Michigan economy will be negatively impacted by a ban on possessing wild hogs.  

(Myth)  The Michigan legislature dealt effectively with the wild hog problem last year when it allowed citizens to shoot any free-ranging hogs.

(Reality)  The legislation that passed last year will not control wild hogs already on the loose.  Nowhere in the U.S. has opportunistic shooting taken enough wild hogs to stabilize or reduce the population.  About 65% of the wild hogs must be taken annually; Michigan citizens will probably shoot no more than 10-20% in any year.  Eradication will require much more effort and a complete stop to any more hogs entering the wild.  Last year’s legislation was just a small step.

 

Dr. John Mayer, Savannah River National Laboratory, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLC, John.mayer@srnl.doc.gov, 803-725-5991;

Dr. Patrick Rusz, Director of Wildlife Programs, Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, wildlife@miwildlife.org, 517-641-7677