Wild Hogs in Missouri: Why Authorities Say NOT to Hunt Them

Wild pigs in Missouri represent a problematic invasive species, causing widespread damage and posing a threat to numerous indigenous species that depend on ecological equilibrium for survival.

According to research from the University of Georiga, Missouri ranks 13th in terms of states with the most sightings of feral swine.

While hunting these creatures is generally not promoted, the Missouri Department of Conservation advises the public to report sightings of these animals instead. Nevertheless, hunting activities have taken place and have led to the capture of some significantly large feral hogs over time. Today, we’ll look at the most sizable wild pigs found in Missouri and further details on this troublesome invasive species.

The Biggest Feral Hog Caught in Missouri?

In many parts of the United States, hogs are identified as feral, not as traditional wildlife. This classification means they aren’t tracked by governmental agencies in terms of size. Due to this classification, along with the sensitive issue surrounding wild hogs in Missouri’s environment, detailed data on the sizes of hogs hunted or captured in the state is scarce. However, in a hunt featured on the YouTube channel, Pulse Factor TV, hunters successfully took down a 200-pound boar at Stone Creek Ranch in Edgar Springs.

Why Feral Hogs Are So Hard to Eliminate

Even though these animals are incredibly destructive, many argue that hunting wild hogs might exacerbate the issue rather than alleviate it.

Wild hogs are inherently sociable animals, moving in units known as sounders. Hunting might eliminate one or two hogs from a sounder, but it typically scatters the rest, causing widespread confusion. Once scattered, these hogs become more challenging to trap as they become increasingly wary of human presence, baits, and other strategies. While hunting wild hogs is generally discouraged on most properties, the Missouri Department of Conservation explicitly bans it within conservation areas or regions under their management.

Always consult local authorities and departments for the most current information on hunting regulations before pursuing any wildlife.

More specifically, the Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership was created by federal and state agencies, as well as numerous ag and conservation NGOs to facilitate the reduction of these animals. This group works to strategically trap feral hogs — which is considered the most effective way to reduce them because it traps them all at once.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Mircea Costina/Shutterstock.com