By Blake Jackson
Feral hogs in Missouri are being successfully controlled thanks to strong collaboration between public agencies and private landowners.
Since the Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership was formed in 2016, feral hog occupancy in Missouri watersheds has dropped by 84%. This partnership includes 18 state and federal organizations and is funded by the U.S. Farm Bill.
In 2024, 5,105 hogs were removed through trapping and aerial operations, down from 7,880 the previous year. This 35% drop shows a positive trend, according to Kevin Crider, feral hog outreach educator at the University of Missouri Extension.
“That is a 35% drop in hogs taken off of the landscape. The trajectory is totally in the direction we want to see things moving,” he said.
The program’s success is largely due to strong cooperation with 609 landowners. Elimination specialists also surveyed nearly 4 million acres in 2024, mainly south of Interstate 44. While fewer landowners are participating now, this signals progress rather than lack of interest.
Feral hogs are harmful to agriculture, the environment, and public health. They damage crops, destroy native habitats, and spread diseases that threaten livestock. Hogs reproduce quickly, and without control, their numbers can rise rapidly.
Advanced technology plays a critical role. Drones with heat-sensing cameras scout hogs at night, while helicopters remove them during the day. Traps are placed in high-traffic areas and monitored by HogEye video cameras.
Private landowners are key to success, as hogs often move into private lands. The program also provides equipment like no-till drills and harrows for land restoration.
Feral hogs remain a challenge, but Missouri’s progress shows what collaboration can achieve. Assistance is available through the Missouri Department of Conservation or MU Extension’s website.
Photo Credit: university-of-missouri
Categories: Missouri, Livestock