Agriculture officials in Mississippi will soon accept a new wave of applications for the wild hog control program.
Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 15, landowners and managers in all of the state’s 82 counties are eligible to request “smart” traps for the control of wild hogs on private agricultural and forestry properties. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will provide the training necessary to use these traps and technical guidance regarding the most effective methods to trap and control wild hogs on private lands.
“Wild hogs remain a costly nuisance for Mississippi landowners, particularly in our rural and agricultural areas. Our agency is focused on giving landowners the resources they need to manage these animals effectively,” Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson said. “Through the Wild Hog Control Program, we’re encouraging eligible participants to take advantage of available trapping assistance and join our ongoing efforts to limit the damage caused by invasive hog populations.”
Applications must be completed and submitted online. Officials said submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property, and current trapping efforts on the property.
A cooperative application is encouraged for small acreage, meaning adjoining land managers of small parcels are asked to work together to submit one application. Traps will be available for one-month intervals, dependent upon use and success. One trap per 500 acres is recommended, depending on the landscape and land use.
