Task Force Reports Over 13,000 Hogs Removed, $30M–$41M in Annual Damages Highlight Urgency
Feral hogs continue to pose a serious threat to agriculture, livestock, and ecosystems in Arkansas. But after years of fragmented efforts, a coordinated state and federal initiative is gaining ground—and delivering measurable results.
Feral hogs, descendants of livestock introduced centuries ago and Eurasian boars released for sport hunting, have overrun vast swaths of Arkansas, contributing to an estimated $30 million to $41 million in annual damages. These invasive animals not only destroy crops and pastureland but also spread disease and compete with native wildlife.
Task Force Brings Unified Strategy
In response to the growing crisis, the Arkansas State Legislature created the Feral Hog Eradication Task Force in 2017, bringing together 20 federal, state, and non-governmental agencies. While initial efforts were locally focused and varied by region, a turning point came with funding support from the 2018 Farm Bill, which allocated $3.4 million for pilot eradication projects.
This allowed the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, working with county conservation districts, to hire full-time feral swine technicians trained in advanced trapping technologies. These technicians coordinated directly with landowners, accessing areas that were previously unmanaged due to lack of resources or expertise.
Tangible Results by 2024
By 2024, the results of this coordinated effort were evident:
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Over 13,000 feral hogs removed, including 4,500 with conservation district resources.
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483 properties assisted, covering approximately 500,000 acres.
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$2.5 million in landowner-reported damages directly addressed through intervention.
Whole sounder trapping—capturing entire hog groups at once—has emerged as a highly effective tactic. In Yell County, landowner James Mitchell credited this strategy with drastically reducing feral hog populations on his and neighboring farms.
Boost from Conservation Incentive Program (CIP)
A 2023 initiative from the Arkansas General Assembly further supported private landowners through the Conservation Incentive Program (CIP). This cost-share program helped landowners purchase and deploy trapping systems after completing training and proving recent hog-related damages. In its 2024 pilot year:
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224 applicants were awarded funding from over 400 applications.
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6,693 feral hogs were removed using CIP-supported traps.
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More than 900,000 acres were positively impacted across 52 counties.
These numbers represent just a baseline, as many traps remain in use beyond the reporting period.
Expanded Capabilities and Future Plans
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services has expanded its Arkansas team from 7 in 2018 to more than 22 field technicians and biologists in 2024. Special projects, including those in the Buffalo River Watershed and Northeast Arkansas, have supported this growing infrastructure.
Aerial operations—limited to specific times of year—have been used to supplement ground trapping. Looking ahead, the task force is exploring new tools such as toxic bait technologies and potential sterilization solutions, including ongoing research at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville.
Contact and Resources
Landowners in Arkansas can request assistance with feral hog removal by contacting USDA APHIS Wildlife Services at (501) 835-2318.
More information and a feral hog removal dashboard are available at:
👉 Arkansas Department of Agriculture – Feral Hog Services
👉 Arkansas Game and Fish Commission – Feral Hogs
👉 University of Arkansas Extension – Feral Hog Management
