Feral hogs are pests. They are not native to the United States and pose serious threats to Arkansas’s agriculture, natural resources, and public health. As an invasive species, feral hogs are destructive, aggressive, and increasingly widespread across the state.
Feral hogs cause extensive damage to farmland, forests, and native wildlife. They:
- Compete with native species for food and habitat
- Destroy land through rooting, wallowing, and trampling
- Prey on ground-nesting birds, eggs, fawns, and young livestock
- Carry more than 45 known diseases and parasites
Nationwide, feral hogs are responsible for more than $1.5 billion in agricultural and ecological damage annually, including:
- Over $800 million in crop loss
- Injury and disease transmission to livestock
- Habitat destruction and threats to native or endangered species
- Contamination of water and food sources
- Property damage
In Arkansas, feral hog populations continue to grow due to a lack of natural predators, with sightings reported in many parts of the state.
Statewide Response and Program
The Feral Hog Eradication Program, administered by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, provides leadership, coordination, and support for efforts to reduce feral hog populations across the state.
Feral Hog Task Fore Committee and Partner Members
| Committee Members | Additional Members & Partners |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Department of Agriculture | Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association |
| Arkansas Game and Fish Commission | The Nature Conservancy |
| Department of Arkansas Heritage | Arkansas Dog Hunters Association |
| Rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission | USDA APHIS Wildlife Services |
| Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism | USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service |
| Arkansas Department of Health | US Forest Service – Ouachita National Forest |
| University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture | US Forest Service – Ozark–St. Francis National Forest |
| Arkansas Association of Counties | US Fish and Wildlife Service – White River National Wildlife Refuge |
| Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts | |
| Arkansas Farm Bureau | |
| Arkansas Forestry Association | |
| Arkansas Pork Producers Association |
Established by the Arkansas General Assembly in 2017, the Feral Hog Eradication Task Force is co-led by the Department of Agriculture and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, with participation from 22 member organizations. The Task Force works to:
- Support control efforts through research and monitoring
- Develop and implement a statewide feral hog eradication plan
- Coordinate legislative, policy, and management strategies
- Promote education and outreach
Arkansas Feral Hog Control Survey
Do you remove feral hogs on private property by trapping or shooting? If so, please help the Arkansas Feral Hog Eradication Task Force by submitting your removal information through the Arkansas Feral Hog Control Survey.
Information submitted through this survey helps state and federal agencies better understand feral hog removal efforts across Arkansas. Your participation provides valuable data on how many feral hogs are removed each month by private landowners, as well as by state and federal agencies.
This information is used to guide future management decisions aimed at reducing the feral hog population in Arkansas. Input from private landowners is just as important as data from public agencies.
By participating, you are helping protect native ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources.
The Task Force has developed a monthly removal map that shows the number of feral hogs removed by county. Data submitted through the survey will be included in this map.
How to Download and Access the Survey
Step 1: Download the App
Depending on your mobile device:
- Visit the Apple App Store (for iPhone), or
- Visit the Google Play Store (for Android devices)
Search for and download ArcGIS Survey123.
Step 2: Access the Survey
After downloading the app:
- Use the built-in QR code scanner in the app (located at the top right of the screen), or
- Enter the survey link directly:
Arkansas Feral Hog Control Survey (mobile access):
https://agriculture.arkansas.gov/resources/public-information/rules/
Alternative Access (No QR Code Needed)
If you prefer not to use a QR code, you can access the survey directly in your browser:
Arkansas Feral Hog Control Survey (web version):
https://arcg.is/lKmGuu
Feral Hog Removal Dashboard
View current statewide and county removal totals in real time:
Feral Hog Removal Dashboard:
https://arcg.is/1GCgGe
Contact Information
If you have questions about the survey, please contact:
Ryan Farney
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 501-912-9541
Feral Hog Task Force Meeting Minutes
Resources
Arkansas Resources
- Human Brucellosis Risk From Feral Swine, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
- Controlling Feral Hogs in Arkansas, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
- VIDEO: Arkansas Feral Hog Problem; Narrative with Rancher Bruce Jackson, from Arkansas Farm Bureau
- Hog Hunting and Shooting Regulations, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
Resources from Other States
- Coping with Feral Hogs, Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension
- Feral Hogs in Missouri, Missouri Department of Conservation
- Louisiana Feral Hog Resources, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
- Wild Hog Regulations and Control, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- Wild Pig Info, Mississippi State University Extension
National Resources
- Feral Wild Pigs: Potential Problems for Farmers and Hunters, USDA APHIS
- Feral Hogs and Agricultural Crops, by National Extension Resources
- Feral Swine – Methods for Managing Damage, by USDA APHIS
- Unleashing a New Tool to Stop an Unexpected Invader, Blog by USDA