The conservation districts of Baxter, Marion and Izard counties have created a program to assist landowners in efforts to control the feral hog population. The North Central Ozarks Feral Swine Project provides assistance to landowners in the form of trapping.
The local efforts follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture passing a farm bill in 2018 allowing states to establish new means to attempt to control the feral hog population. Feral hogs are extremely destructive, along with major property damage there are several diseases that humans and livestock can contract from hogs.
With the establishment of the new local feral hog program, two technicians are serving the three counties.
Landowners and others who have legal use of land and suspects there may be hogs on the property may contact any of the county conservation offices or technicians directly. The technicians may then assess the property and plan for removal.
The technicians will use bait to lure the hogs, and once they establish a pattern, a trap will be used to catch them.
Remote activated traps with live feed video to monitor activity are used to ensure appropriate trapping, and that non-target wildlife is not harmed or affected.
Through the funding from the farm bill, the program is free to all landowners.
For feral hog problems or any questions, contact or call any of the offices. You may also contact a local technician directly.
Contact Information:
Crooked Creek Conservation District-Marion County: (870) 449-6356
Baxter County Conservation District: (870) 425-3527, ext. 3
Izard County Conservation District: (870) 368-4413
Technician Patrick Thompson: (870) 405-3464
Technician Tad Huff: (870) 405-8634
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