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Feral Hogs Battle: New Tactics Deployed on TN-KY Border
22 Jan
Summary
- New tactics include bait trapping and aerial operations against feral hogs.
- Infrared cameras will track hogs to improve removal efforts.
- Feral hogs cause $1.5 billion in crop damage annually in the U.S.
New strategies are being implemented to address the escalating feral hog issue on protected lands along the Tennessee-Kentucky border. Through February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, collaborating with wildlife agencies from Kentucky and Tennessee, is employing bait trapping and aerial operations.
Infrared cameras will be instrumental in identifying and tracking feral hogs by their heat signatures, enabling wildlife specialists to improve removal effectiveness. This collaborative effort seeks to manage the invasive species responsibly.
Feral hogs pose a significant threat nationwide, causing an estimated $1.5 billion in annual crop damage. These animals can devastate ecosystems, reproduce rapidly, and are challenging to manage due to their size, tusks, and disease-carrying potential.
Land Between the Lakes presents unique challenges, with hunting restrictions in both Kentucky and Tennessee. Officials aim to enhance past successes, where thousands of hogs were trapped and euthanized, through these advanced methods.
