Feral hog traps to cut down on damage
Conservation districts to make traps available
The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts presented a feral hog trap demonstration Thursday on the lawn of the state Capitol.
The bait traps were provided by the wildlife services of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, funded in part by city, state and federal governments.
An invasive species, feral hogs cause more than $1.5 billion annually in damage and management costs nationwide, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
“Elimination of feral swine is of special interest to the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts because feral hogs’ rooting and wallowing activity is proven to increase erosion, especially in wetlands and along waterways,” according to a state Wildlife Department news release.
“Large groups of feral swine are responsible for contaminating water sources through deposition of fecal material in concentrated areas, which results in an increased risk for disease among humans, wildlife, and livestock.”
The state’s wildlife services use a variety of methods to curb feral swine population growth, but trapping is considered one of the most effective methods. Last year, the department eliminated 11,206 hogs, according to the news release.
The traps displayed Thursday eventually will be available to rent from each conservation district.