Refuge to conduct aerial control of feral swine

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will conduct aerial control of feral swine on refuge lands Monday.

This operation will target the areas around Mount Scott and extend west of the Visitor Center to Refuge Headquarters, according to Quinton Smith, Supervisory Park Ranger for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Control activities will take place in public use areas.

Feral swine are exotic and a nuisance species that compete with Oklahoma’s native wildlife for food causing significant disturbance to native habitat, Smith said. They also serve as disease reservoirs and pose a threat to the health of humans, pets, agricultural lands, and native wildlife.

The first documented record of feral swine in the United States was in Florida in 1593. Introductions followed in several other southeastern states, which led to established free-ranging populations throughout the region. Populations then spread throughout the southeast and mid-south states.

Today, Oklahoma is home to an estimated 600,000 to 1.5 million feral swine,” Smith said. Their numbers and range continue to increase due to their high reproductive potential and lack of natural predators.

“Based on sightings, habitat disturbance, and current control efforts, feral swine remain a substantial concern on Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge,” he said. “Detrimental effects are visible in every habitat type and pose a serious threat to native wildlife throughout the refuge.”

Smith said Refuge staff routinely take action to help control the hog population through removal of individual animals. In 2015, the refuge initiated another more effective method by adding aerial control.

“This method proved highly effective throughout the refuge expending much less time and effort,” he said. “It also allowed for control operations in less accessible areas of the Refuge.”

Aerial shooting operations are conducted by one helicopter using specially trained U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel following policy and procedures established to ensure safe, humane, and environmentally sound practices, according to Smith.

“Although the Refuge does not anticipate any changes to the above-mentioned closures, the public is reminded to follow all area restrictions and closure signage,” he said.

If you see feral hogs on the refuge, give them plenty of space and report the sighting at the Visitor Center or via email at [email protected].