Deevers bill would make it easier to hunt feral hogs

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Dusty Deevers has introduced a bill he said is intended to respond to property and agriculture damage by feral hogs.

Senate Bill 478, the Free to Hunt Feral Hogs bill, would remove all required permits for hunting feral hogs and free Oklahomans to protect their land, crops and livestock from their destructive impact, he said.

“Feral hogs are much more than just a nuisance — they are a threat to Oklahoma’s farms, ranches, and livelihoods,” said Deevers, R-Elgin. “It is preposterous that Oklahomans need to obtain multiple permits from multiple agencies to protect their own property from substantial damage. No one should have to navigate permit processes and bureaucratic red tape in multiple agencies just to protect what is rightfully theirs.”

Experts say feral hogs cause an estimated $1.5 billion in damage annually across the United States, or $30 million to $50 million in Oklahoma.

“These invasive animals wreak havoc on crops, devastate ecosystems that support quail and turkey, destroy fencing, and contaminate waterways, imposing significant financial burdens on farmers, ranchers, and rural communities,” Deevers said. “They degrade water quality, cause soil erosion, and outcompete native wildlife for food and habitat. This combination of property damage, agricultural destruction, economic strain, and ecological damage underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to manage feral hog populations and protect Oklahoma’s agricultural and environmental heritage.”

SB478 would repeal requirements for feral hog hunters to obtain:

• A depredating animals license from Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.

• A permit from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

• An agricultural exemption from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for nuisance control.

• A permit for hunting feral hogs at night.

• A special license for hunting feral hogs during primitive firearm deer hunting season.