The Feral Hog Population is Destroying Texas

The Feral Hog Population is Destroying Texas.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimates there are more than 6 million feral hogs spread across the United States. It’s likely that a third of those (or over 2 million) can be found roaming in Texas. 

Pigs weren’t always a part of the North American landscape. Christopher Columbus brought pigs with him to the West Indies in 1493 and then Hernando de Soto brought them to the continental US—specifically Florida—in 1539. After parts of North America were established and settlers moved on, often pigs were left behind and eventually turned feral. 

One of the biggest problems with the feral hog population is that, since they’re invasive, they have no natural predators. For pigs living naturally in Europe and Asia, there is a typical 25% annual mortality rate due to natural predators. However, in the United States, humans account for the most significant predator for feral pigs. 

Even with all the hogs killed, experts suggest the population could recoup back to full capacity within three years. This is even if hunters were able to eradicate 70 percent of the population. Some other experts suggest that hunting is also ineffective at controlling the wild hog population. Wild hogs live in groups known as sounders. The only way to truly eradicate a sounder is to kill them all at once. Otherwise, the rest of the group will scatter and establish other sounders. Moreover, feral hogs are intelligent and can often evade traps. 

In the wild, coyotes, bobcats, golden eagles, the American alligator, mountain lions and black bears are the only predators capable of preying on feral pigs. Coyotes, bobcats and golden eagles can only handle taking immature wild pigs as prey. Alligators, mountain lions and black bears are capable of taking larger pigs; however, their populations are so low in many parts of Texas that their predation does not amount to much. 

Another factor that plays heavily on the feral pig population is their reproduction rate. Among ungulates, pigs have the highest reproductive rates. Female pigs (sows) can breed throughout the year, have multiple estrous cycles and reach sexual maturity around six months. Once bred, sows have a gestation period of 115 days. The average litter size for pigs can be between 4 and 8–although it’s not unheard of for a sow to give birth to a dozen piglets. Another contribution is how quickly they can breed again. This can occur within a week of weaning the litter, which occurs roughly a month after they’re born. 

It’s this cycle that allows wild hogs to be one of the most destructive of the US’s invasive species. Annually, the county-wide hog population are responsible for $400 million in damages. 

Those knowledgeable about hogs feel that full eradication of the feral hog population isn’t possible; therefore, population control is the goal. In Texas, hunters are allowed to hunt hogs year-round. No limits are placed on the number of hogs killed, nor are individuals required to obtain a permit to hunt pigs. The only requirement in Texas is that hunters complete a hunter’s education course.  Additionally, hunters are also free to trap as many hogs as they want alive and take them to be processed at slaughterhouses. This meat can then be sold as exotic meat to local restaurants. 

The largest problem surrounding the feral hog population is their ability to demolish the area that they live in. In other words, the feral population has a measurable influence over the other animals; as well as plant life that occupies the same environment as they do. Their rooting habits are capable of disturbing vegetation and soil enough that a shift in plant succession is possible. The feral hog population also competes with food with other wildlife species. Ground nesting bird species are also put at risk as hog will prey on eggs and young birds.