Wild hog memes have been circulating to laughs on social media lately, but there’s nothing funny about the damage they can do.
Feral swine are reported to live in all of Georgia’s 159 counties, likely only trailing the massive feral swine populations in Texas and Florida. The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts calls feral swine “one of the greatest invasive species challenges facing Georgia.”
State conservation officials estimate that last year alone feral swine caused $150 million in damage to Georgia’s agricultural crops and natural resources.
The Upper Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District offers feral swine trapping services for residents of Habersham, White, Lumpkin, Dawson, and Forsyth counties. Since March, the area SWCD has captured 46 hogs. Over 1,600 have been captured statewide.
The Upper Chattahoochee River SWCD board would like to see more people participate in the program to help cut down on the feral swine population.
Landowners and farmers who are experiencing problems with wild hogs should contact their local Hog Control Custodians. In Northeast Georgia, call Nathan Turner at (770) 654-9686.
