Feral hogs - A growing threat to Land Between the Lakes

Friday, January 17, 2025

Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture, Daryl Harrison, emphasized the importance of research investments in the agriculture sector, noting that nearly $50 million has been invested in crop-related research over the past five years. This funding, through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF), supports the competitiveness and profitability of producers, particularly in international markets. It also helps Saskatchewan set a higher standard for sustainable practices and innovation in agriculture.

Meanwhile, the issue of feral hogs in the Land Between the Lakes area is causing significant concern. These animals damage property, agriculture, and natural resources by aggressively rooting soil, trampling crops, and consuming ground-nesting bird eggs, reptiles, and amphibians. Feral hogs are highly adaptive and outcompete native species, threatening the landscape and local ecosystems. Jim McCoy, an area supervisor at Land Between the Lakes, likens the hogs' impact to that of invasive species like Asian carp, stressing the need for aggressive measures to control their numbers.

In response to this threat, several organizations, including the USDA Forest Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and local wildlife departments, are working together to eradicate the hog population. Their combined efforts will include increased helicopter flights and targeted actions to locate and remove the hogs. This approach is seen as necessary to protect the area’s cultural and tourism value and ensure the conservation of native wildlife.

While APHIS has been trapping feral swine since 2014, their numbers have grown substantially, from 70 hogs euthanized in 2018 to 736 in 2024. The Forest Service hopes these efforts will continue to reduce the impact of feral swine on the area. Wildlife experts warn that hunting these animals could disperse them further, making eradication more difficult. In response, Kentucky has banned wild pig hunting to prevent the spread of these animals.

Visitors to Land Between the Lakes should be aware of additional official vehicles and aircraft in the area as part of the ongoing eradication campaign, which will begin on January 21.

Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic