Florida Wild Hog Hunt Announced

Several wild hog hunts will be held this fall and winter on land owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District to thin the population.

The district announced Monday that hunters may buy permits for the wild hog hunt online through the district's website from Oct. 10-24.

There is a limited supply of the permits, which will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost is $50 per permit.

The District-managed properties where hunting takes place will be closed to the public during the hog hunts. Only permitted hunters will be allowed access. Last year, hunters bagged 100 hogs.

This is the fourth year that the district has allowed the wild hog hunt, as the population has increased.

Wild hogs are not native to Florida, and can do damage to forest lands they inhabit. Male pigs can reach 200 pounds or more. There are an estimated half-million wild hogs in Florida.

The hogs also prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for food and transmit diseases to wildlife, livestock and humans, according to the district.

The District allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause is at unacceptable levels. Damage from hogs is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity, the district said.

The following are places where the hunts will be held:

• Upper Hillsborough Preserve–Alston Tract, Pasco County, Nov. 15–17.
• McGregor Smith Scout Reservation, Citrus County, Dec. 6–8; Jan. 24–26.
• Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve–Hampton Tract, Polk County, Dec. 13–15.
• Edward W. Chance Reserve–Coker Prairie Tract, Manatee County, Jan. 10–12, Feb. 7–9.
• Little Manatee River Southfork Tract, Manatee County, Jan. 17–19.
•  Conner Preserve, Pasco County, Feb. 7–9.

In addition to obtaining a permit online, maps and hunting rules of the areas where the hunts will take place are available on the District’s website at www.WaterMatters.org/HogHunt/.