An estimated seven million feral hogs now roam across at least 35 states in the United States, causing extensive damage to agriculture, natural habitats, and increasingly, suburban communities. This population has roughly tripled since the 1980s and expanded its range, particularly in the South but also reaching states such as Oregon and Michigan.

Feral hogs, descendants of domesticated pigs introduced to North America by Spanish explorers in the 1500s and Eurasian boars released for hunting in the 20th century, have become a significant invasive species. Their genetic diversity and adaptability have made them difficult to control. These omnivorous animals, weighing between 75 and 250 pounds, consume a wide variety of food including crops, roots, insects, and small animals, enabling them to survive across diverse environments and climates. While harsh winters can slow their spread northward, feral hogs have adapted by creating insulated nests and occupying temperate wetlands and forests.

The animals' intelligence and social behavior complicate management efforts. Studies suggest their problem-solving abilities are comparable to those of chimpanzees and dogs, allowing them to avoid traps and adapt to control strategies. Female hogs can produce multiple litters per year, with five to six piglets each time, leading to rapid population growth. Wildlife experts estimate that removing approximately 70 percent of a population annually is necessary to prevent expansion.

Damage caused by feral hogs is extensive and costly, with estimates exceeding $3.4 billion annually. Farmers have long reported destruction of crops, pastures, and fencing. More recently, suburban areas have seen incursions; for example, hogs have damaged yards in Dallas neighborhoods and posed dangers to residents and outdoor enthusiasts. Collisions with vehicles are common, and in one notable incident in 1988, wild pigs on a runway led to a fighter pilot ejecting from a disabled F-16 at Jacksonville International Airport.

Various control methods have been employed, including traps equipped with trail cameras, helicopter shooting operations, and the use of thermal drones. Successful reduction efforts require coordinated action across jurisdictions, landowners, and agencies. Missouri’s Feral Hog Elimination Partnership, established in 2016, reduced hog occupancy in targeted watersheds by 84 percent through collaboration between multiple federal and state groups and hundreds of private landowners.

Federal involvement has fluctuated. The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, created under the 2018 farm bill, was temporarily cut from legislation before being reinstated in 2025 with a funding allocation of $105 million through 2031. A House-passed bill aims to increase funding to $150 million. Despite this, regulatory challenges remain, as federal authorities lack comprehensive jurisdiction over established invasive animals, limiting their ability to coordinate control efforts fully. Additionally, some states permit the sale and hunting of feral hogs, providing economic incentives that complicate eradication attempts.

Feral hog management presents a rare area of bipartisan consensus, affecting farmers and suburban residents alike across multiple states. Legislators from impacted regions such as Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas continue to advocate for stronger federal authority and resources to address the growing feral hog population. Without enhanced coordination and sustained funding, experts warn the number of feral hogs will continue to rise, further threatening ecosystems, agriculture, and communities across the country.