Southern Missourians Demanding Lift Of Feral Hog Hunting Ban

Southern Missourians are demanding that the Department of Conservation bring back feral hog hunting, saying the population of the invasive species is out of control.

In a single night feral hogs can destroy acres of farmland. Nationally, feral hogs cause more than a $1.5 billion in damage every year.

14 counties have voted to oppose the current ban on wild hog hunting on federal land. The Missouri Department of Conservation banned hog hunting 2 years ago in favor of targeted trapping, which the state agency says is more effective.

Hunting advocate and Dent County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Skiles says hunting and trapping should both be used to stop the spread of feral hogs and disease.

Feral hogs multiply quickly. Sows can reproduce at 6 months of age and typically have two litters of 4 to10 piglets each year, resulting in feral hog numbers doubling and tripling in a single year.

The US Forest Service says they are considering allowing hunting on federal land.