Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
Ed Carter, Executive Director

The following video was created to help the public understand an order by the state veterinarian relating to feral, wild, and wild appearing hogs. It also presents biological information on wild hogs and describes their increased distribution in the Southeastern United States.

Regulations related to wild hogs have change drastically in the last year.

This is one attempt to inform the public of these changes.

In response to concerns from landowners, the Legislature, the Farm Bureau, and TWRA biologists, there have been major changes to the management of wild hogs. These animals have been removed from big game status to a non-protected nuisance animal marked for eradication. Wild hogs cause extensive damage to farm crops, wildlife habitat, contribute to extreme erosion and stream pollution, and carry diseases harmful to livestock or other animals as well as humans.

A primary reason for their rapid spread is illegal movement by those who wish to establish hog populations for hunting in areas that at present may have little or no wild hog populations. Therefore, in consultation with other states facing similar problems, the regulations have been changed to allow landowners great leeway to control hogs on their property while removing incentives to transport wild hogs to establish new or increased hunting opportunities, specifically for wild hogs.

The TWRA recognizes two important factors in implementing these changes: (1) hunting is an inefficient way to control wild hogs and does not offset the high survival and reproductive rate of wild hogs (2) illegal transport and release is the leading contributing factor in the spread of wild hogs. In cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, measures have been implemented which make it illegal to transport or own an undocumented wild appearing hog.

The TWRA is implementing a 5-pronged approach to wild hog eradication in Tennessee:

Eliminate Status

Wild Hogs have been removed from big game status and placed in a nuisance category.

Eliminate Hog Hunting

Special provisions have been implemented for landowners and their designees to control wild hogs on their lands. However, sport hunting of wild hogs is legal on only specific wildlife management areas as a part of an overall eradication program for those WMAs. While the TWRA obviously supports hunting, data indicates that sport hunting for wild hogs only adds to the incentive to create new and expanding populations. Similar to the provisions used by many landowners, the TWRA will begin intensive eradication measures on WMAs by trapping, which has been shown to be a much more efficient reduction method.

Increase Landowner Control Opportunities

As a non-protected species, private landowners and their family members or tenants that are exempt for purchasing a license for that property may freely take wild hogs with methods legal for taking big game or small game without license or permission from the TWRA. Landowners may now trap wild hogs without permit but no live hog may be removed from the traps. Landowners wishing to get a method exemption (e.g., shooting at night, shooting over bait) may contact their local TWRA office and they will immediately be issued an exemption once they provide their name and location of property. Landowners may have up to ten designees on the exemption form to assist with the wild hog eradication on their property. There is a special eradication program in Cumberland, Overton, Fentress and Pickett counties that allows landowners to use dogs under the methods exemption.

Increase Enforcement

Illegal transport of wild hogs was nearly impossible for the TWRA under the previous regulations. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) has jurisdiction over confined swine while the TWRA has jurisdiction over unconfined swine. In conjunction with the TDA and other state and federal agencies, the TWRA is working diligently to tighten enforcement abilities related to illegal transportation and release of wild hogs.

Increase Public Awareness

Current efforts to eradicate hogs, rather than manage wild hogs, will understandably be met with some misunderstanding and resistance. However, the problems related to wild hogs have risen to a critical level and will only get worse without intervention by government agencies, private organizations and the public in general.

The TWRA will work with a variety of organizations to ensure landowners know the consequences of having wild hogs on or near their property. The $1.5 billion lost annually because of wild hog damage, plus the potential crippling effects that disease transmission could have on the livestock industry, and the severe habitat destruction caused by wild hogs are evidence of a need to act as quickly and decisively as possible.

A guiding management plan created with multi-agency input with multi-level approaches is required to attain sufficient pressure on wild hog populations in Tennessee. Complete eradication of wild hogs is the ultimate goal for the TWRA and others, but we understand the scale of the hog problem in Tennessee makes this an unlikely goal. However, we will identify areas where hogs can be eradicated and work diligently to remove hogs from those areas. We will also work in cooperation with state and federal agencies, and all our partners to assist landowners in alleviating problems wherever possible.

Why are wild hogs a problem?
Wild hogs are an exotic species that are extremely detrimental to native plant and animal communities. Not only can they affect native wildlife species but they can also negatively impact farmers and the rest of the agricultural community. In places where they are found, they can inflict a tremendous amount of crop damage as well as carry brucellosis and pseudo-rabies both of which pose a very serious disease risk to humans and livestock.

Can I kill a wild hog that is damaging my property?
Yes. As a landowner you can use methods above and beyond normal hunting means to eliminate wild hogs. Landowners may also identify up to ten individuals (designees) who can assist with the removal of wild hogs on their property. You must contact TWRA to obtain a wild hog exemption before allowing others to assist with removal efforts.

Can I hunt free-ranging wild hogs in Tennessee?
No. However, under exemptions, landowners and their designees as defined above may kill a hog at any time. There are also some East Tennessee and Cumberland Plateau WMAs that allow the incidental take of hogs during other big game seasons (see WMA regulations for details.)

Why did the Agency eliminate wild hog hunting if it results in more dead hogs?
Not only have historic hunting seasons proven to be ineffective at controlling hog populations but they have inadvertently led to the increased spread of the wild hog range illegal transport and release of wild hogs into new areas has played a significant role in the spread of wild hogs statewide. Removing the incentive to hunt hogs will hopefully slow their spread across the state.

What is a wild hog methods exemption and who can obtain one?
A methods exemption allows landowners and up to 10 designees to kill wild hogs on their property using methods that traditionally are illegal.  Such methods include: shooting at night, using bait all year, no weapons restrictions, etc.  

Who do I contact to obtain a hog exemption?
You may call or visit a regional office during regular business hours to obtain a methods exemption.  If you would like technical assistance in dealing with hogs on your property, you can request a site visit for TWRA or cooperating agency/organization personnel to assist with education and management guidance.

Are there requirements for obtaining an exemption?
You must be the legal owner of the property.  All exemptions expire on December 31 and in order to renew a permit the landowner must submit a report of their activities under the previous exemption.

How long does it take to get a methods exemption?
Methods exemptions are issued immediately over the phone by calling your TWRA regional office.  After providing basic information about you and your property, a methods exemption number is given that will act as your methods exemption until a paper copy is mailed. 

Who can be listed on my hog exemption?
There are no restrictions on who may be listed on a methods exemption.  However, no more than ten (10) people may be listed on the exemption in each calendar year. 

Can I sign-up more than ten people on my exemption?
No.

What does a wild hog methods exemption allow me to do?
All these methods pertain only to killing wild hogs: shooting at night, shooting over bait, shooting over bait during big game seasons, shooting using artificial light, shooting with no ammunition restriction, trapping, trapping with bait during a big game season.  The use of dogs as part of the experimental eradication program in Overton, Fentress, Cumberland, and Pickett counties but dogs may not be used during November or December.

I hunt on a lease and we have hogs, can I call up and get an exemption?
Only the landowner get obtain a methods exemption.  If the landowner calls the regional office to request a methods exemption, they may designate 10 others to assist with eradication efforts. 

Can family members and tenants assist the landowner with a methods exemption?
Family members and tenants that qualify to hunt a property without a license (Farmland Owner License Exemption, see current hunt guide for more information) may assist the landowner without being listed as a designee on a methods exemption.

I know there are certain diseases that hogs can carry, if I kill a hog on my property is there any disease concerns I should be aware of?
Wild hogs carry many diseases capable of spreading to humans, wild animals and domestic animals.  The most prominent are swine brucellosis (also known as undulant fever) which may spread to humans.  The other disease is pseudorabies which is not harmful to humans but can kill domestic livestock and other animals.  When butchering a wild hog please take precautions to avoid contact with wild hog bodily fluids.  The TWRA recommends single-use rubber gloves for processing the meat.  Destroy the gloves immediately and wash your hands and other skin that contact the wild hog bodily fluids.

Does the state offer assistance for the removal of hogs?
The TWRA and other partner agencies provide technical assistance to get landowners familiar with methods to eradicate wild hogs on their property.  At this time, there is no opportunity for state employees to directly remove hogs from private property.

Who do I contact to report illegal activities such as the release of wild hogs?
Please report illegal activities to the regional office.  This includes illegal killing of wild hogs and especially illegal movement and release of wild hogs.  Transportation of wild appearing hogs is illegal unless they have paperwork from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture stating the hogs came from a domestic source. 

Regional Poaching Hotlines are:
            Region I (West Tennessee)             1-800-831-1173
            Region II (Middle Tennessee)          1-800-255-8972
            Region III (Cumberland Plateau)       1-800-241-0767
            Region IV (East Tennessee)            1-800-831-1174

Is there a reward for reporting the release of wild hogs?
Yes.  The TWRA offers a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons illegally transporting and releasing hogs.

What would happen if hog populations continue to expand?
Wildlife habitats of Tennessee would continue to degrade and water quality in streams is threatened.  The threat of human disease will increase and the threat of disease exposure to domestic livestock increases.  The potential monetary losses for brucellosis spreading to the domestic livestock are devastating for the Tennessee livestock industry. 

Where can I go to hunt hogs in Tennessee?
Check the WMA section of the most recent hunting guide for dates and other regulations. 

Is there a website that can show me how trap or kill hogs?
Yes.  Mississippi State University compiled a website dedicated to wild hog eradication and information.   This website is http://www.wildpiginfo.msstate.edu/index.html . 

How can I help TWRA with their hog eradication program?
The best help for TWRA is for landowners to eradicate all wild hogs on their property and provide the agency with any information about illegal activities associate with wild hogs.

If I’m baiting for hogs on my property can I continue to hunt deer and turkey on my property?
In some cases hunting away from bait sites can continue on large properties.  The agency strongly recommends you request an officer visit to identify areas that may be legally hunted.

What do I do with the hogs once I kill them?
All wild hogs must be killed before removing them from the trap.  You may eat the wild hogs, give them to another recipient, or dispose of them on your property. Keep in mind that some wild hogs carry disease such as brucellosis and pseudo-rabies so use caution.

Can I still hunt hogs on WMAs?
The take of wild hogs is allowed on some WMAs in conjunction with other scheduled hunts in Regions III and IV.  Please check the most recent hunting guide for dates and special regulations. Note: The TWRC has approved an amendment to the WMA proclamation to authorize the taking of wild hogs, in conjunction with deer seasons, at three additional WMAs in Region 3. The WMAs are Alpine Mountain, Skinner Mountain, and Standing Stone State Forest.

Do I need a hunting license to kill hogs?
Only on public land where the taking of hogs is specifically allowed. Please check the WMA portion of the hunting guide.

Can I use dogs to kill hogs on my property?
Only January to October in Cumberland, Overton, Fentress, and Pickett counties.