MAFWA Ad Hoc Feral Swine Committee – 2016 Annual Report
Aerial netting and GPS marking of a wild pig
Courtesy of Michigan DNR
The Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies established the Midwest Feral Swine Committee in 2013. The purpose of the feral swine committee is to further MAFWA’s function of promoting the conservation and management of wildlife resources in the face of rapidly expanding feral swine populations which directly endanger those wildlife resources. The committee is to collect and compare feral swine information among the member states/provinces, and to provide management and policy recommendations to the Directors of MAFWA.
MISSION: Develop results-driven and science-based management actions to prevent the introduction and spread of feral swine and promote the eradication of existing populations of these animals in the Midwest.
CHARGES:
1) Develop management plans for feral swine based on sound scientific and proven methods.
2) Promote and encourage research on economically feasible and effective methods of feral swine control.
3) Encourage uniform polices on the translocation and interstate movement of feral swine.
4) Discuss the role of federal entities in the control of feral swine in the Midwest.
5) Encourage partnerships among states and between state and federal entities to unify the battle against the spread of feral swine.
6) Advise the MAFWA Directors on issues relating to feral swine policy, inform the Directors of committee actions and execute any directives given by them.
MAFWA Ad Hoc Feral Swine Committee 2016 Annual Meeting/Report
Submitted by: Steven E. Backs (IN), Chairmen, May 26, 2016.
Meeting Time and Place: April 18th, 2016, 5-6 pm, 2016 International Wild Pig Conference, Sheraton Convention Center Hotel, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Attendance: Steve Backs, IN, Chr.; Alan Leary, MO; Dwayne Etter, MI; Eric Nelson, MN.
Guests: Gary Roloff, Michigan State University (MSU); Curran Salter, USDA-APHIS-WS – KS.
Summary: During the past year most states were involved with the cooperative integration of feral swine elimination efforts funded under the 2014 Farm Bill, now fully underway with USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services’ personnel dedicated solely to feral swine control or elimination. The increased Federal funding also provided additional equipment and tools (e.g., aerial shooting, GPS “Judas” collars). The number of feral swine removed has increased substantially across the Midwest but there is still a learning curve as to what are the most effective techniques in the Midwest where there are more potential pig foods, sufficient water resources, and other challenges to removal techniques presented by winter weather and where pigs exist at relatively lower (emerging) population levels. Preliminary information gleaned from various GPS marked pigs suggest movement patterns may be more extensive in the Midwest than reported elsewhere. It also remains to be seen if the level of pig removal is sufficiently high enough to reduce or eliminate feral swine populations. Theoretical population models indicate at least a 70% removal rate is necessary to begin population reduction, suggesting pig removal efforts need be evaluated in terms of the proportion of the estimated population (albeit often poor or flawed estimates) removed. A proportional based removal parameter would put pig removal efforts in the Midwest with relatively lower pig population levels in a better perspective nationally for future Federal funding. The MAFWA Ad Hoc Feral Swine Committee (MAFWAFSC) held its annual meeting at the 2016 International Wild Pig Conference (http://www.wildpigconference.com/ ) since the Conference would facilitate the greatest possible information exchange regarding recent feral swine research, new control techniques, updated state and national population status, and an overall national management perspective. However, there is a need for a more local meeting setting to discuss Midwest management issues that can become diluted at an International Conference.
The National Wild Pig Task Force (NWPTF; http://www.wildpigconference.com/docs/task_force.pdf ) was unveiled at the 2016 International Wild Pig Conference. The NWPTF is collectively made up conservation agency representatives from State, Federal, Private, University and NGO partners committed to the elimination of wild pigs across North America. Membership is open to all natural resource professionals interested in the management of free-ranging wild pig populations. The NWPTF will serve as a technical advisory source and a communication medium for science-based information to help guide wild pig control, damage reduction, and/or eradication. The MAFWAFSC Chair (S. Backs, IN) and the Chair of “Wild Hog Working Group” of the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Chuck Yost, TN) currently served on the NWPTF steering committee as the primary “State” representatives. Alan Leery (MO) chairs the NWPTF Policy Subcommittee. The NWPTF plans to meet in odd numbered years alternating with the International Wild Pig Conference that traditionally meets even numbered years.
Director Action Items: Begin development of a broad Midwest feral swine management plan based on sound scientific and proven methods (Charge 1); the MAFWAFSC chose to again table this charge due to the increasing efforts of the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program (USDA-AHPIS-WS) and recent development of the NWPTF. The intent of the NWPTF is to provide guidance and direction in a very dynamic environment where constant influx of new research information (e.g., toxicant development, GPS movement studies) to be applied to management efforts (e.g., the efficacy of various control techniques). The International Wild Pig Conference held every two years is a tremendous opportunity for information exchange and this exchange will likely increased as the NWPTF’s standing subcommittees (Research, Applied Management, Communications, and Policy) become active. Participation in the NWPTF, an annual MAFWAFSC meeting, continued representative communications, and this annual report address Charges 1-6.
Director Information Items: The MAFWAFSC continues to see a higher level communication needed to address the hunting industry’s marketing of wild pigs as a desirable, new opportunity for recreational sport hunting. The MAFWAFSC has low member attendance to the annual meeting, whether it is held in conjunction with either the Midwest Fish and Wildlife or the International Wild Pig Conference. The NWPTF desires to have the 2 regional committees (SE, Midwest) meet in conjunction with the NWPTF annual meeting, but there is concern the location distance (Mobile, AL in 2017) will be a deterrent to attendance as well. The MAFWAFSC is exploring an alternating Midwest host state for annual meetings similar to other MAFWA committees (e.g., Midwest Deer and Wild Turkey Study Group). MAFWAFSC thinks it would be prudent that the USDA-APHIS-WS recognize State Agency contributions to the wild pig elimination efforts and these contributions should be included in USDA annual reports on the feral swine elimination effort. The development of a standard or template Federal Aid Grant to be used by states would help document these participation costs in the wild pig elimination efforts to protect wildlife resources and would potentially provide a larger source of funds to cover agency expenditures toward these efforts.
Time and Place of Next Meeting: As noted above, this needs to be determined and options explored to help facilitate committee member attendance.
MAFWA Ad Hoc Feral Swine Committee – State Representatives (April, 2016)
IL Doug Dufford 815-369-2414
IN Steve Backs 812.849.4586 ext 222
IA Bill Bunger (515) 975-8318
KS Shane Hesting 620-342-0658
KY Vacant (acting: 800-858-1549 Ext 4533.)
MI Dwayne R. Etter, 517-641-4903, ext 256
MN Eric Nelson, 218-203-4336
MO Alan Leary (573) 522-4115 ext. 3693
ND not participating
NE Sam Wilson 402 471-5174
OH Clint McCoy 740.362.2410 Ext. 130
SD not participating
WI Brad Koele 715-356-5211 ext 234
ON not participating
MB not participating
SK John Pogorzelec 306-778-8522
State/Province Status Reports Submitted
Iowa (Submitted by W. Bunger)
Iowa remains fortunate regarding feral hog occurrences. There were only 5 reports in 2015; in 4 of the cases, 5 animals were killed and were the only animals involved in those reports. These all appeared to be animals which had escaped at some time from domestic situations. In the fifth occurrence, this appears to be a hog escaped from a local shooting preserve. This animal is thought to still be at large.
All hogs killed in these situations were dispatched by the landowners. Because of the preponderance of domestic hogs and the lack of any current wild hog populations, initial reports are filtered through the Department of Agriculture. This is done to verify whether there are any known missing hogs associated with a domestic operation. Sightings over the years have traditionally come from many sources but frequently come to a Department of Natural Resources agent. However, there are many levels of cooperation and different agencies and associations that help monitor hog sightings.
Indiana (submitted by S. E. Backs)
Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) were intentionally and illegally released in two different regions of southern Indiana in the early 1990’s and primarily linked to sources in Louisiana and Mississippi and DNA profiling suggests sources from a couple other states. Morphologically, the wild pigs exhibit characteristics of the “Eurasian or Russian Boar” hybrids and not feral swine of domestic origin. Currently, only one definitive wild pig population exists in roughly 260 mi2 of southcentral Indiana. Population numbers or densities are unknown but considered much less than frequently observed in southern states.
Population control up through 2013 was primarily through unrestricted shooting and limited trapping/snaring by IDFW/USDA-Wildlife Service personnel. Since the inception of the National Feral Swine Elimination Project under the 2014 Farm Bill, 1-3 USDA-Wildlife Services personnel have been assigned to remove wild pigs from lands on cooperating landowners in Indiana. Adapting wild pig capture techniques to the “affluent” central-hardwood/row crop agricultural/riverine environments of southern Indiana still poses challenges to wild pig population control or elimination. In 2015, 71 wild pigs were removed (51% night-shooting; 27% trapping; 11%snaring; 11 & aerial shooting). So far in 2016 (March), nearly 60 animals have been removed (~80% trapping; 17% aerial shooting) and 5 radio-marked pigs were released as “Judas” pigs. The removal of wild pigs by non-cooperating landowners or incidental shooting by hunters is unknown. The existence of “wild pig refuges” created by uncooperative landowners, generally for recreational hunting purposes, continues to be an obstacle to more effective overall pig removal. The refuges often serve as ‘source” populations replenishing the population voids created agency control efforts.
The continued proliferation of pot-bellied/hybrid pig reports from around the state has become a chronic administrative nuisance and unnecessary drain of limited personnel investigation time. Most pot-bellied pigs appear to be abandoned, escaped, or poorly confined pets. Free-ranging swine of all types can be destroyed in Indiana with landowner permission. Since 2014, Indiana modified its exotic animal statute in May, 2015 to recognize the legal possession and breeding of “Heritage” swine, eliminated the legal public use of dogs in the pursuit or take of wild/feral swine and added language pertaining to aiding and abetting the illegal release of wild/feral swine. Wild pigs were also added to the list of invasive species in Indiana.
Kansas (Submitted by S. Hesting)
In Kansas feral swine are controlled by USDA-APHIS-WS under agreement with the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA), Division of Animal Health. Since 2006, over 6000 feral swine in Kansas have been eliminated. Complete eradication is not currently a goal in two feral swine core areas: Bourbon County to the southern edge of Linn County and in the Cowley/Chautauqua/Montgomery County area along the Oklahoma border. In all other areas in the state, eradication is the goal when hogs are discovered. Eradication is possible if feral swine are discovered soon enough and the topography, vegetative cover, and landowner cooperation allow access to the area. Kansas allows no sport hunting of feral swine, which has been a cornerstone statute in preventing the introduction of feral swine by hunters wanting to establish new, huntable populations. Only landowners, who discover feral swine on their property, and designated agents of affected landowners can shoot feral swine in Kansas. Control permits are required and issued by the KDA.
The USDA-APHIS-WS control strategy consists of a 3-prong approach, including aerial shooting, live trapping, and night shooting. Aerial shooting continues to be the most effective means of feral swine control in Kansas. Trapping was difficult in 2016, with the main reason thought to be related to mild winter conditions. Swine, finding other readily available forage, were not easily baited with corn.
2015 Yearly Feral Swine Review: All, the following is a summary of our control activities and a brief summary of each area. We removed 679 feral swine in 2015.
Cowley co/Kay co Oklahoma – 65 pigs removed: Feral pig numbers in this area along the Arkansas River drainage above Kaw Lake appear to be significantly less. Our proactive approach of conducting aerial gunning and groundwork on the Oklahoma side of the border has greatly reduced pig populations and we have not removed a pig on the Kansas side of the border in several years. In 2015 we took 41 pigs from groundwork (trapping and night shooting) and 24 from the helicopter. Pigs are still present on the Oklahoma side and we plan on flying this area periodically to keep number low and continue to create a “buffer” area on the state line.
Bourbon/Linn co Kansas – 385 pigs removed: This area is currently our largest and most established feral pig population in the state. The population appears to be expanding (primarily northward) into Linn County. Groundwork removed 99 pigs and 286 were removed with aerial gunning. The lack of access to property to conduct control work is still the primary issue in this area.
Vernon co Missouri – 7 pigs removed: Kansas Wildlife Services (WS) worked with Missouri WS on a small population east of Fort Scott Kansas. 7 pigs were removed thru aerial hunting. MO WS believes that these were the last 7 pigs in this population. KS and MO WS will continue to monitor the area for presence of feral swine and work together in the future on areas along the border that have pigs.
Baca co Colorado – 5 pigs removed: KS WS worked with Colorado WS on a population on the Cimarron River in Southeast Colorado and Southwest Kansas. 5 pigs were taken thru aerial gunning. This is a very small population and CO WS is working on eradicating the few remaining pigs.
Chautauqua/Montgomery co/ Osage co Oklahoma – 217 pigs removed: This area encompasses 40 plus miles on the state line from Cedar Vale east to Caney. Osage county Oklahoma to the south has a very large established feral swine population. We have been working in this area the last 3 years and continue to see more evidence of feral swine crossing the border every year. Landowner cooperation in this area has been very good and we will continue to obtain permission on private land to conduct control work and do our best to halt northward expansion. We removed 125 feral pigs thru groundwork and 92 thru aerial hunting in 2015.