Wild Hogs in Florida: An Overview
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