JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

feraL hoG and WILd Boar
feRal Hog HUnTIng
Feral hogs are defined as any wild hog found
in Tennessee, except on Catoosa, South Cherokee
and Foothills WMAs (see Boar Hunting).
Feral hogs are considered big game but are not
required to be tagged or checked in at big game
checking stations.
Private lands - Public Hunting Areas (see PHAs,
page 39) are considered private land. Open year
round, except in holdings on Catoosa and South
Cherokee where the season is open with the
statewide deer seasons. Dogs prohibited. No limit, either sex. During
statewide deer seasons, only weapons legal for hunting deer may be
used for hunting feral hogs.
Publicly owned lands - Season open during scheduled white-tailed
deer hunts unless otherwise specified. Dogs prohibited. No limit,
either sex. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, also
open Jan. 21-Feb. 28, 2009, (permit required, see page 40).
feRal Hog HUnTIng WITH dogs
In the following counties, dogs may be used for hunting feral hogs
on the dates indicated. No limit, either sex.
Monroe, Polk (east of Hwy. 411 and north of Hwy. 64)
Gun/muzzleloader/archery - Oct. 6-13, 18-19
Blount, Cocke (south of I-40), Jefferson (east of Hwy 411), Sevier -
Gun/muzzleloader/archery - Sep. 29-Oct. 5
Blount, Cocke, Jefferson (east of Hwy 411), Monroe, Polk (east
of Hwy. 411 and north of Hwy. 64), Sevier - Gun/muzzleloader/
archery - Nov. 17-20, Dec. 4-17
Help TWRA Track Feral Hog Populations: Although not mandatory,
hunters are encouraged to report feral hog kills. Simply call
615-781-6610 to report harvest information.
WIld boaR HUnTIng
Wild boar is defined as any wild hog
found in Tennessee, on Catoosa, South
Cherokee and Foothills WMAs. All
other hog found outside these WMAs
are considered feral hogs. Please refer to
the WMA section for wild boar hunting
in these areas.
Catoosa WMA pg. 59
South Cherokee WMA pg. 68
Foothills WMA pg. 69
legal HUnTIng eQUIPMenT: See page 16
2008 Feral Swine Distribution
take aIM at
COntrOLLIng feraL
HOg pOpULatIOns
It is well documented that the introduction
of exotic species has often led to the
decline of native species. Most of the time,
these declines go unnoticed because they
occur in the less obtrusive bird, fish, and
insect world. Unfortunately that is not always
the case. There is an invader in Tennessee that happens to
be one of the largest and most destructive animals in the
nation, it is the feral hog.
Sus scrofa, otherwise known as the pig, was introduced
to North America by the first European settlers. Although
they have long been domesticated and are an extremely
popular farm animal, free-ranging feral hogs are a different
animal altogether. Their voracious appetite and destructive
rooting behavior can cause severe habitat damage, especially
to fields that have been planted for food production. Compounding
the problem is the fact that the female pigs (sows)
can produce 2-3 litters per year, with each litter ranging in
size of 6-12 piglets. Considering young pigs become sexually
mature at 6-8 months you can easily see the nightmarish
reproductive capacity of these animals.
Besides the destructive nature of the hogs the greatest
single threat comes from their potential to transmit swine
brucellosis and pseudorabies to farm raised animals, both of
which would have serious effects on Tennessee’s agricultural
economy. Therefore, feral hogs are definitely a major threat
to all Tennessee residents.
In just over a decade, the distribution of Tennessee’s feral
hog population has spread at an alarming rate. Although
first confined to small pockets in East Tennessee and the
Cumberland Plateau, it is now estimated that viable hog
populations can be found in close to a third of Tennessee’s
counties. We need to stop the spread, and stop the spread
now. Feral hog season is open year-round on private lands
with no bag limits whatsoever. In other words, we want
you to kill as many hogs as possible to slow their spread.
So please help us take aim at controlling feral hog populations.
NOTE: Releasing feral hogs is a federal offense and is in
violation of USDA regulations. Anyone providing information
leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals
releasing feral hogs may be eligible for a $100 reward.
2008 Hunting & Trapping Guide 29