When we think of dangerous game, we might envision lions, tigers, or bears. However, in terms of economic damage and ecological disruption, the most dangerous game in the United States is the feral hog... I know how that sounds but bear with me.

Economic Impact

Feral hogs cause substantial damage to agriculture, costing the U.S. an estimated $2.5 billion annually. This figure includes crop destruction, pasture damage, and livestock losses. Their rooting, trampling, and wallowing behaviors can devastate fields of corn, soybeans, wheat, and other crops, reducing yields and increasing repair costs. Additionally, they destroy irrigation systems and create rough terrain, complicating harvest efforts and increasing fuel and equipment expenses​ (APHIS)​​ (Coping with Feral Hogs)​​ (LSU AgCenter)​. If you have ever driven any vehicle over areas they have rooted, you quickly see why this is a problem!

A 2020 study highlighted that feral hogs caused $272 million in crop damage across 12 states in a single year. In Louisiana alone, annual economic losses from feral hogs amount to approximately $91.1 million, with $66.2 million in agricultural production losses and $24.9 million in non-production losses​ (LSU AgCenter)​.

The Reality for Farmers

Here is why this is nightmare fuel. Farmers are under increasing economic pressure. According to the latest Census of Agriculture, Texas lost over 17,700 farms and more than 1.6 million acres of farmland. This decline is reflective of a broader national trend, with the number of farms in the U.S. decreasing by 7% from the previous survey. Rising costs, weather disasters, increased regulations, and a lack of available labor have made agricultural production challenging to maintain economically​ (The Wildlife Society)​.

“The downward trend of the number of farms in Texas and the U.S. has been taking place for decades,” said Brant Wilbourn, Texas Farm Bureau associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack emphasized the critical nature of this issue, questioning whether the country is okay with losing so many farms and highlighting the need for innovative solutions like climate-smart initiatives and bioproduct production to sustain the agricultural sector​ (The Wildlife Society)​.

Environmental and Health Risks

Feral hogs also pose significant ecological risks. They compete with native wildlife for food, destroy habitats, and disrupt ecosystems. Their activities in riparian areas lead to erosion, sedimentation of water bodies, and contamination with E.coli, impacting water quality and aquatic life​ (Coping with Feral Hogs)​.

Moreover, feral hogs are vectors for diseases that can affect livestock, wildlife, and humans. They carry and spread brucellosis and pseudorabies, diseases that can severely impact livestock productivity and human health​ (APHIS)​.

Conclusion

Given the extensive economic damage, ecological disruption, and health risks posed by feral hogs, they are indeed among the most dangerous game in the United States. Efforts to manage and reduce their populations are crucial to protecting our agriculture, natural resources, and communities from their destructive impact.

Studies show that you must kill 70% of the population in order to keep the population the same. (APHIS) While that math might sound strange the reality is even stranger. We really do need to get busy killing, or we might just get busy starving.

The Ghost Gunners

-Austin L

Sources:

• https://apnews.com/article/business-animals-wildlife-climate-and-environment-74fb05e1f33a4885a8dc4f8a8e536618

• https://feralhogs.tamu.edu

• https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/feral-swine-bait.pdf

• https://texasfarmbureau.org/ag-census-shows-texas-lost-over-17700-farms/#:~:text=Texas%20farmland%20declined%20by%20more,to%20127%2C036%2C184%20five%20years%20ago.