Recognizing Feral Hog Sign
Lewis C, Berg M, Cathey JC, Gallagher J, Dictson N, McFarland M. 2009. Recognizing Feral Hog Sign. The Texas A&M University System
Expanding feral hog numbers represent a significant threat to agriculture and water quality in many areas of the state, including the Plum Creek Watershed. Wherever feral hogs are found, they leave evidence, or sign, of their passing, and as feral hog populations expand, landscape damage increases. While the most noticeable sign of feral hog activity is damage caused by their destructive rooting behavior, it is not the only indicator of their presence. In times of drought, rooting is minimal, and other signs are more common. Hog wallows, rubs, tracks, trails, droppings, and beds are all telltale signs of their presence. Hogs are very mobile, and in many cases may routinely travel from one field that offers cover to another field that provides food. To increase trapping success, it is best to determine key travel corridors, which frequently include creeks, sloughs, ponds and other water sources. Understanding feral hog behaviors and signs is central to developing management strategies to reduce their numbers.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Lewis, Chancey; Berg, Matt; Cathey, James; Gallagher, Jim; Dictson, Nikki; McFarland, Mark
- Date of Issue
- 2009
- Units
- GULN
- Keywords
- feral hogs, landscape damage, rooting, threat to agriculture, threat to water quality