Karmactive Staff
Fields across Arkansas are showing signs of recovery after years of destruction by one of America’s most destructive invasive species. This rural revival is the result of a coordinated campaign that has removed more than 13,000 feral hogs from approximately 500,000 Arkansas acres since 2017—a battleground where wildlife officials, farmers, and scientists have joined forces to protect crops, ecosystems, and public health.
Wild Roots of a Growing Problem
Arkansas’s feral hog problem began with Spanish exploration in the 1500s and accelerated with Eurasian boar introductions for hunting in the 1980s and 1990s. These non-native swine established wild populations that spread rapidly across the state, with females capable of producing up to two litters annually with 4-6 piglets each.
The impact on Arkansas lands has been severe. Feral hogs destroy habitat by rooting and wallowing, causing stream banks to erode and displacing native wildlife. They compete for resources and prey on ground-nesting birds, eggs, and young livestock.
By 2017, the damage had become impossible to ignore, affecting farms, forests, and waterways across the state.
Task Force Formation: Uniting Against Invasion
The Arkansas Legislature responded by establishing the Feral Hog Eradication Task Force under Act 1010 in early 2017, bringing 21 federal and state agencies and non-government organizations together. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture coordinates efforts, with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, and county conservation districts handling implementation.
The initial year was spent gathering information, studying successful strategies from other states, and crafting a plan. By 2018, the Task Force secured funding through the Farm Bill’s USDA Feral Swine Control Project, bringing $3.4 million to Arkansas for a pilot program that launched in 2019.
Tools and Techniques: Beyond Simple Trapping
The campaign employs multiple removal strategies. Whole-sounder corral traps—large enclosures capable of capturing entire family groups at once—have proven most effective. These high-tech units use cellular cameras allowing trappers to spring gates remotely when all animals enter.
“Sport hunting of feral hogs has been more hindrance to hog removal than benefit,” notes the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “The shooting of individual hogs also thwarts large-scale trapping efforts by agencies because increased disturbance makes it nearly impossible to catch the whole sounder, or family group, at once.”
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services has significantly increased its presence in Arkansas, growing from seven field personnel in 2018 to more than 22 technicians and biologists in 2024.
Aerial operations complement ground efforts. Seasonal helicopter gunning teams target areas with high hog densities, particularly Wildlife Management Areas. These operations sometimes require temporary WMA closures to ensure public safety.
Results That Matter: Counting Success by the Thousand
By 2024, the numbers tell a compelling story:
- 483 properties spanning approximately 500,000 acres received trapping assistance
- More than 13,000 hogs removed through agency efforts
- $2.5 million in landowner-reported damages addressed
- 6,693 feral hogs removed in 2023-2024 through the Conservation Incentive Program
- 52 counties with active removal programs
- Over 900,000 acres protected through combined efforts
The Conservation Incentive Program (CIP), launched in 2023 with funding from AGFC, proved particularly effective. The program provided cost-share funding for 224 applicants to purchase approved trap systems after they completed training requirements.
According to the AGFC, the program has achieved a high completion rate with landowners, demonstrating strong participation and commitment from property owners.
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Hidden Threats: Disease Risks Beyond Crop Damage
The campaign addresses health risks often overlooked in discussions about feral hogs. These animals carry up to 45 bacteria, diseases, and parasites affecting humans and livestock, including brucellosis, trichinellosis, and pseudorabies.
The University of Arkansas Extension Service has developed protocols for carcass disposal that minimize disease transmission. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, people in Arkansas are infected most commonly by contact with blood, fluid, or tissue while field dressing or butchering an infected feral hog, underscoring the public health dimension of eradication efforts.
Environmental Recovery: Watching Nature Health
The ecological impact of feral hogs extends beyond crop damage. These invasive animals compete for food resources, destroy habitat, and threaten biodiversity by preying on native wildlife.
When feral hogs are removed from an area, the environmental benefits can be significant. Native vegetation has a chance to recover, water quality improves as erosion decreases, and wildlife habitat is restored.
Money Matters: The Economics of Eradication
The financial impact of feral hogs in Arkansas is substantial. These invasive animals cause an estimated $30 million to $41 million in damages annually in the state, including crop destruction, livestock impacts, and infrastructure damage.
Nationally, USDA APHIS estimates feral swine cost American agriculture over $2.5 billion annually.
The damage and control of feral hogs are conservatively estimated to result in agricultural and ecological costs of $1.5 billion annually across the United States.
Landowner Playbook: Getting Involved
For Arkansas property owners battling hog damage, the Task Force offers clear guidance:
Before purchasing a trap, landowners must complete online training through the University of Arkansas Extension Service to qualify for program participation. Key steps include selecting corral traps sized for full sounders, installing cellular monitoring cameras, following bait regulations (particularly in chronic wasting disease zones), and reporting trap events through the Survey123 app.
Proper trapping techniques are essential. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recognizes large-scale trapping as the most efficient and economical means currently available to reduce feral hog populations.
Carcass disposal follows specific protocols to prevent disease spread. The University of Arkansas Extension Service provides guidance on natural decomposition, composting, and safe consumption practices.
Looking Forward: Research and Adaptive Management
University of Arkansas researchers are exploring new approaches to feral hog control. One area of investigation involves gossypol, a phenolic compound found in cottonseed meal that could potentially impact reproduction in boars.
This research could lead to new tools for managing feral hog populations. If effective, reproductive control methods could complement trapping and removal efforts, helping to break the cycle of rapid population growth.
Meanwhile, the Task Force continues to explore additional management strategies, including toxic baits and further research into a boar sterilant at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.
The Battle Continues
The fight against feral hogs in Arkansas showcases how coordinated efforts backed by science, funding, and community involvement can address even the most persistent invasive species. Through legislative action, interagency cooperation, landowner participation, and continuous adaptation, Arkansas has developed a model program that delivers measurable results.
The program continues to evolve through dashboard tracking, periodic adjustments to funding and methods, and open communication among partners.
The Task Force’s work represents a sustained commitment to protecting Arkansas’s agricultural heritage and natural landscapes from one of America’s most damaging invasive species. With each trap, flight, and research advancement, the state regains valuable ground in this rural defense.
