The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will begin accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP) for the second time this year in less than a week.
Starting May 1, Mississippians looking to help reduce the number of wild hogs will have two weeks to apply for the WHCP before the application process closes once again.
The last opening to apply was made available in February for the upcoming crop planting season, as wild hogs cause more than $60 million in damages annually in Mississippi alone.
“I encourage farmers and landowners who have experienced property damage due to these nuisance animals to submit an application for this program,” Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson said. “Those who have previously participated in the Wild Hog Control Program have seen positive results.”
Through the WHCP, MDAC provides “smart” wild hog traps to landowners and managers for the control of wild hogs on private agricultural and forestry lands in Mississippi.
MDAC also offers the training necessary to use the “smart” traps and technical guidance regarding the most effective methods to trap and control wild hogs on private lands.
Applications must be completed and submitted online. Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property, and current trapping efforts on the property.
The MDAC is encouraging individuals with small acreage, such as adjoining land managers of small parcels, to submit a cooperative application.
Traps will be available for one-month intervals, dependent upon use and success. One trap per 500 – 1,000 acres is recommended, depending on landscape and land use.
