Through the Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP), the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is proud to offer wild hog traps to land managers for the control of wild hogs on private agricultural and forestry lands in Mississippi. Traps will be deployed in concentrated focal areas across the state. Focal areas will be determined by MDAC through an application process. MDAC will provide the training necessary to use the “smart” traps and technical guidance regarding the most effective methods to trap and control wild hogs on private lands.
The current opportunity for online application opens November 1, 2024 and will close November 15, 2024. Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property, and current trapping efforts on the property.
A cooperative application is encouraged for small acreage (i.e., adjoining land managers of small parcels should work together to submit one application). Traps will be available for one-month intervals, dependent upon use and success. One trap per 500 acres is recommended, depending on landscape and land use.
Application Process
Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property, and current trapping efforts on the property.
Please consider these requirements for the time when the next application period is open:
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- A Single Property Application should be submitted by sole applicants that have the ability to trap on a minimum of 500 contiguous acres.
OR - A Multiple Property Application should be submitted by applicants that want to trap cooperatively in an area of at least 500 contiguous acres.
- A Single Property Application should be submitted by sole applicants that have the ability to trap on a minimum of 500 contiguous acres.
Incomplete applications will not be considered for selection. Selected applicants will be notified once all applications are evaluated and ranked.
For Selected Applicants
MDAC will provide:
- Smart trap with cellular camera. Includes 12v battery and solar panel for power source.
- Data service for cellular camera.
- T-post for camera.
- Trailer for transporting trap.
- On-site evaluation and trap setup.
User will provide:
- A 7-day pre-baiting period and photographic evidence of bait site(s) being used by wild hogs prior to deployment of trap. Period length may be adjusted based on wild hog usage of bait sites.
- Access to property for MDAC site evaluation and trap delivery/retrieval.
- A smart phone or tablet for use with traps. The “HogEye Camera Management” app must be downloaded on the user’s phone or tablet.
- Personnel to maintain, monitor, and use traps.
- Bait for pre-baiting and trapping. Shelled corn is recommended.
- Proper disposal of wild hog carcasses. All trapped wild hogs must be lethally removed from traps. Burial of carcasses is recommended.
- For each time wild hogs are trapped, a report to MDAC listing total number trapped, number of males trapped, and number of females trapped.
For more information or questions regarding the Wild Hog Control Program, contact Chris McDonald at Chris@mdac.ms.gov.
A signed Equipment Use Agreement (PDF) between MDAC and the User is required for all trapping equipment.
User assumes all risk and liability for the use of the Equipment.
