Wild Hogs in Florida · 8/6/2018  · Photo by Suwannee River Ranch Photo by Suwannee River Ranch. Ecology: Survival •Full grown in 3-5 years •Average life span: 4-5 years Photo

Wild Hogs in Florida: An Overview

Wild Hogs: Opportunities and

Problems

• Introduced species

• Important hunting opportunity

•May be destructive

• Like any animal they can have diseases

•Management philosophies vary

What they are

•Domestic hogs

• Eurasian wild boar

•Domestic hog x Eurasian wild boar

hybrid

Photo by W. Frankenberger

Photo by L. Hlasek

Domestic

HybridEurasian

What they look like

• Color varies

Photo by J. Allen

What they look like

• Tusks

• Small in females

Photo by J. Dunlap and M. Ludlow

Photo by J. Dunlap and M. Ludlow

History of Establishment

Illustrations by Floridahistory.com

Charlotte Harbor

• Explorers

– Columbus (1493)

– Hernando de Soto (1539)

Hogs spread throughout Florida

• European explorers & settlers

•Native Americans

• Intentional releases

Charlotte Harbor

Illustration by Floridahistory.com

How many hogs are there?

•500,000+ in Florida (in every county)

•1 - 2,000,000 in the Southeast

• Several million in 39 states and

provinces

Photo by Buckandboar.com

Ecology: Breeding

• Start breeding at 1 yr of age

•Breeding peaks in spring & fall

– Produce 2 litters of 1-13 piglets each

Photo by Suwannee River Ranch

Photo by Suwannee River Ranch

Ecology: Survival

• Full grown in 3-5 years

• Average life span: 4-5 years

Photo by USFWS

•Hunting

• Predators

• Accidents

•Disease

• Starvation

Ecology: Food

•Hard & soft mast

•Other plants

• Agriculture crops

• Animals

Photo by P. Wray

Photo by P. Wray

Ecology: Range and Density

•~1 mile2 (450-740 acres)

–Depends on food

• 1 hog / 32 acres

Photo by D. Hosking

Impacts

• Feeding on crops, seeds & seedlings

•Rubbing & tusking

Photo by W.D. Boyer

USDA Photo

Photo by Texasboars.com

Impacts

•Rooting

• Wallowing

Photo by W. Frankenberger

USDA Photo

Impacts

•Disease

Values•Hunting Opportunity

•Human Food

• Food for Predators

Photo by S. Feltus

Can Wild Hogs be Managed?

• Control: YES

• Eradication: NO

Photo by Suwannee River Ranch

Management: Hunting

Photo by FWC

Management: Other Methods

•Removal

• Exclusion

Photo by J. Allen

The Law and Wild Hogs•Not considered a game animal

•Movement is regulated by DOACS

Conclusions

• Wild hogs are an introduced species that has

economic costs and benefits

• Hogs can be controlled but not eliminated

• Hunting where allowed can reduce numbers

• In urban areas, using a nuisance wildlife

trapper that takes hogs is advised

• Trained dogs can be effective

• Fencing and exclusion is an option

Questions?

Photo by Suwannee River Ranch