Wild Hogs in New Mexico: How Many Are There and Where Do They Live?

Wild hogs can grow 6 feet long and weigh over a thousand pounds! These massive beasts can be highly destructive. In fact, one group of wild hogs can destroy as many as 10 acres of corn in a single night! Unfortunately, these non-natives are terrorizing New Mexico, spreading diseases and tearing through crops. Read on to learn which areas of New Mexico are experiencing a wild hog problem, how many there are, and what can be done to help.

Where Did the Wild Hogs Come From?

Why are there wild hogs in New Mexico to begin with? The answer dates back to Francisco Vasquez De Coronado in 1540. This explorer was searching for the seven cities of Cibola, an area now known as the southwestern United States. Fransisco brought with him an undocumented number of pigs. In the 1930s, farming introduced many more pigs to the state. However, the majority of hogs are believed to come from illegal transport and the release of feral hogs.

How Many Wild Hogs Live in New Mexico?

Around 500,000 wild hogs live in New Mexico. They’re distributed throughout 17 of the 33 counties, in the eastern half of the state. It’s in this area where they terrorize agricultural land.

Where Are the Wild Hogs in New Mexico?

Wild hogs are spread throughout New Mexico and exhibit home-range behavior. Even though they move around a lot, they tend to stick to a defined area for a long period of time. So once somebody spots a group of wild hogs, it’s likely they’ll see them again. And the home range will increase in size according to the season.

A group of wild hogs is called a sounder, and group sizes vary greatly, ranging from two to 30 hogs. A basic social unit includes the mother and her litter, while mature males like to live a solitary life. However, there are situations in which large groups form. In extremely rare situations, residents have spotted oversized groups of 100 or more.

When Are Wild Hogs Most Active?

Wild hogs are nocturnal, which means they’re active during the night, into the early morning hours. Groups of wild hogs roam the woods searching for roots, berries, and other goodies. When it’s time to sleep, they retire to their nest made of strong leaves.

Can You Hunt Wild Hogs in New Mexico?

You can hunt wild hogs in New Mexico, without any special allowances. Because they are invasive and seen as a nuisance, wild hogs aren’t regulated by New Mexico wildlife or any type of agricultural law. This means there aren’t any restrictions on hunting season or number of hogs killed. These unprotected animals are free game.

However, hunters must abide by a couple of rules. The law states that hunters cannot profit from killing feral hogs in New Mexico, nor are hunters allowed to release live wild hogs or transport them throughout the state. These rules are in place to protect residents and wildlife. Transporting wild hogs is dangerous because of the diseases they carry.

Why You Should Hunt Wild Hogs

New Mexico attracts a lot of hunters because of the state’s big game, such as elk or deer. But for many residents, wild hog hunting isn’t about the sport; it’s about protecting the residents, land, and wildlife.

Feral hogs are notorious for damaging habitats. For instance, they cause erosion by uprooting native plants and spreading troublesome weeds. They also terrorize other critters, aggressively preying on game and non-game animals. Feral hogs will attack reptiles, nesting birds, and deer. They even kill lambs and calves. To make matters worse, they carry diseases that can spread to native wildlife.

What Diseases Do Wild Hogs Carry?

Wild hogs carry bacterial diseases like leptospirosis and brucellosis, both of which can be transmitted to humans. If you come into direct contact with wild hog urine, you could contract leptospirosis. This bacterial infection causes muscle aches, jaundice, vomiting, and dangerously high fevers. Brucellosis can cause excessive perspiration, fever, joint pain, and muscle pain. Along with bacterial diseases, wild hogs also carry scary viral diseases, like vascular stomatitis and porcine circovirus. The list of diseases that wild hogs carry and transmit is quite extensive.

Final Thoughts on Wild Hogs in New Mexico

Rising wild hog populations pose several problems for the state of New Mexico. Since these animals tend to extend their home range, the problems are only getting worse. Thankfully, residents and non-residents can hunt wild hogs year-round, without season restrictions, license requirements, or bag limits. Wild hog eradication helps protect native plants, wildlife, and agricultural plots.

Up Next

• Invasive Species in the United States: The Big List of Invasive Animals
• Texas Showdown: Who Emerges Victorious in a Bobcat vs. Feral Hog Battle?
• Discover the 7 Largest Animals in New Mexico, and Where You’ll Find Them

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