July 2023 Edition | Volume 77, Issue 7
Published since 1946
WMI Issues New Report Concerning Policy and Law to Prevent Translocation of Live Feral Swine
WMI received a multistate grant from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) in 2022 to determine the current status of statutes, regulations, and policies on the translocation and movement of feral swine for 50 state wildlife agencies and provide recommendations that increase uniformity and effectiveness. Working with Southwick Associates, WMI surveyed identified natural resource agency point people for feral swine and the state veterinarian for each state, as well as conducting an online review of regulations. Feral swine was defined as escaped domestic swine, Russian or Eurasian wild boar, Russian boar hybrids, or escaped pot-bellied pigs.
Respondents indicated the presence of feral swine in 31 states, consistent with USDA APHIS that reported 31 states with feral swine in 2021. Forty-four (44) states prohibit importation of feral swine although 27 of these states have exceptions to the prohibition. Many states have enacted relatively prohibitive regulations to prevent spread of domestic swine diseases. Thirty-three (33) states have generally prohibited transportation without a permit and usually a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Thirteen (13) states prohibit transportation within their borders and have no exceptions. No state allows feral swine transported within or into a state to be released into a setting where the animal is essentially at large. Thirty-two (32) states prohibit release of feral swine under any conditions.
Six (6) states classify feral swine as a game animal. Seasons, methods of take, license requirements, and whether take is even legal vary significantly by state. Most states require some sort of hunting license before feral swine can be taken.
Regulations concerning importation, possession, transportation and release of feral swine for all 50 states were consolidated into a reference document to assist efforts to further prevent translocation of live feral swine. A summary of hunting regulations in 2022 is also included in the report.