Task Force Combating Feral Hog Problem h Hogs seem to always be a topic of conversation in Arkansas, especially when it comes to the nuisance that is feral hogs. By rooting, wallowing, carrying disease and eating agricultural commodities, feral hogs are more than a problem; they are a threat. Feral hogs are wild hogs, (Russian or European wild boar; Old World swine; New World swine; or a hybrid of the above) that roam freely upon public or private lands. They have few, if any, natural predators and have reached an estimated population of four to five million across approximately 39 states in the United States. Their damage and control are conservatively estimated to result in agricultural and ecological costs of $1.5 billion annually. Hunting and shooting feral hogs have been implemented for the last few decades. Studies show at least 66 percent of a hog population must be removed each year just to prevent it from growing. Hunting has shown to reduce hog populations by only 8 to 50 percent. With a mutual interest in preserving wildlife, agriculture and natural resources in Arkansas, the Feral Hog Eradication Task Force was formed by Act 1010 of the 91st Arkansas General Assembly. The task force was charged with creating and implementing a plan for the eradication of feral hogs in Arkansas. While Act 1010 expired in June 2018, the task force has been very active in attempting to accomplish the tasks set forth by legislature and will continue to help eradicate feral hogs in Arkansas, while operating through a memorandum of understanding. Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture, serves as chair and Chris Colclasure, representative for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, serves as vice chair. “The task force has worked hard to bring all stakeholders together to identify strategies to eradicate or at least significantly reduce feral hog populations,” said Ward. “The damage to our agricultural industry and natural resources is devastating, and action is needed sooner rather than later.” The task force formed three committees in order to address specific topics and provide recommendations to the full task force: management and control; policy and legislation; and education. “I hope that the task force can educate the public that feral hogs are not a resource and that we have to be urgent with our actions to reduce their numbers,” said Colclasure. “They are a nuisance and a competitor.” Through the efforts of the task force, a report to the Arkansas Legislative Council was developedoutlining tasks accomplished by the group along with all research and data collected over the year. The task force developed an online reporting system which is used by landowners to track the number of kills and sightings of feral hogs. There will be a feral hog eradication handbook developed in the coming year. ARKANSAS GROWN 89
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