Forever Wild to spend $1M to tackle feral hog problem in Alabama

Forever Wild has launched an initiative to tackle the feral hog problem on Forever Wild and adjacent Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) properties.

According to an Outdoor Alabama story written by David Rainer, the state agency is in a constant battle to control the feral hog populations on land they manage. Late last year, the Forever Wild Board of Trustees passed a measure to spend up to $1 million of the program’s stewardship fund addressing adverse impacts on ecologically sensitive areas.

During fiscal years 2019 through 2023, more than 5,800 feral swine were removed from ADCNR and Forever Wild properties. Hunters reported harvesting more than 465 feral swine during that same time period.

Feral hogs: $1.5B problem in U.S. — $50M in Alabama

Feral hogs cause more than $1.5 billion each year in damages to around the country to:

• Farms and crops
• Livestock
• Native wildlife and ecosystems 
• Cultural and historic resources

In Alabama alone, the U.S. Department of Agriculture believes feral hogs damage upwards of $50 million.

“Management of ADCNR and Forever Wild lands is a priority for us.That management includes prescribed fire, habitat enhancement, timber management, removing or mitigating invasive plants like cogongrass and removal of predators and invasives, including feral hogs. I appreciate the Forever Wild Board recognizing this and authorizing a ramp-up in feral hog removals. It is not a one-and-done type of activity. It will take continued effort to make a dent in the hog population.

~ Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of ADCNR and Chairman of the Forever Wild Land Trust in the Outdoor Alabama story

Forever Wild Board meeting – Feb. 1

The Forever Wild Board intends to further discuss Alabama’s feral hog problem and many other conservation matters at their upcoming meeting on February 1, 10:00AM at the Alabama Forestry Commission.

Have you had to deal with feral hogs in Alabama in the forests or on a farm? Tell us about the problem on social media by tagging us at @thebamabuzz