ruining row crops, but they are also
causing major environmental damage,”
he said. “They are competing with
deer and other wildlife for resources,
and causing erosion in creeks.”
Trapping hogs has been the tradi-
tional mode for attempts at trying to
control the pig population. Mississippi
State University and federal experts
also are now recommending hunting
wild pigs as an additional means of
population control.
“Hogs are classified as nuisance animals. They are not a good thing to
have. If you have ever been to a
property with hogs, you know this.
The MDWFP encourages the taking
of wild hogs following all legal methods,” says Delta Regional Biologist
Roger Tankesly. Hence the Mississippi
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and
Parks position on listing wild hogs as
nuisance animals. Defined as such,
nuisance animals are ones that regularly cause conflicts through their
interactions with humans. Wild pigs
perfectly fit that definition in all
respects — especially in farming
communities.
Accordingly, the state has set very
liberal rules and regulations when it
comes to hunting hogs. A complete
review of these can be seen on the
state wildlife website at www.mdwfp
.com. Look under the hunting section
and click on nuisance animals.
Basically, one season is open from
March 1 until the opening of deer
archery season, which has traditionally
been the first of October. Another
season governs the start of archery
deer hunting until the end of
February.
There are no special regulations on
private lands, but some rules may be
specific to public lands such as state
managed wildlife management areas.
A state hunting license is required.
All of this blends together into the
makings of a perfect storm for hunting
wild pigs in Mississippi.
Big Bores for Big Boars
Magnolia State wild pigs can tip the
scales over 300 pounds. They are
tough, smart, sport heavy armor, pos-
sess keen noses and better hearing.
Their weakness is precise eyesight,
but movement is easily detected so
don’t rely on that fault. They can be
terribly hard to bring down in one
shot. Or two.
