Feral hogs continue to be a problem in Arkansas and several counties in the Twin Lakes Area are in the top 10 in the state in the number of hogs being eradicated. A feral hog is a domestic pig which has gone feral, meaning it lives in the wild. Feral hogs cause tremendous damage to agriculture, including row crops, forestry, livestock, and pasture. Feral hogs also cause great risks to human health and safety, by harboring and transmitting diseases to people and pets and by causing collisions with vehicles
In the last two years, 26,758 feral hogs have been eradicated in the state. In 2021, Izard County ranked number five in the state with 512 feral hogs eradicated. Stone County was sixth with 478, Searcy County was eighth with 436 and Newton County was ninth with 425. There were 268 feral hogs eradicated last year in Marion County, 149 in Baxter County and 33 in Boone County. None were reported in Fulton County.
J.P. Fairhead is the Feral Hog Program Coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. He joined Brad Haworth during the news at 7 Friday morning to talk about why they need to eradicate feral hogs and the dangers they pose.
Listen:
Below are phone numbers to call for anyone having feral hog issues in Marion, Baxter or Izard Counties.
Tad Huff (Baxter, Izard, Marion) – 870-405-8634
Patrick Thompson(Baxter, Izard, Marion) – 870-405-3464
Baxter County Conservation District – 870-425-3527
Cooked Creek Conservation District – 870-449-6356
Izard County Conservation District – 870-368-4413
Landowners experiencing issues within and outside the counties mentioned can also call USDA Wildlife Services at 501-835-2318
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