Appreciating Feral Hogs: Extension Education for Diverse Stakeholders in Texas

Abstract

Texas harbors the largest population of feral hogs (Sus scrofa) in the United States, with populations estimated at >2 million. Depending on one’s perspective, feral hogs are either a pariah (from the farmer’s standpoint) or a popular sporting animal (from a hunter’s standpoint). As feral hogs increase in range and density, conflicts among stakeholders are sure to increase. Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) initiated educational programs in 1991 to address concerns regarding the presence and management of feral hogs. Since that time, we have developed various workshops, symposia, and educational materials (e.g., print, videotape, and website) as means of addressing “the good, the bad, and the ugly” aspects of feral hogs in Texas. Texas Cooperative Extension involves various stakeholder groups, including agriculturalists, biologists, hunters, and wildlife damage management professionals in its efforts to provide a thorough, balanced approach to management of feral hogs. Our goal is to increase critical thinking skills among stakeholders while seeking consensus on local damage issues caused by feral hogs.

Keywords

• conflict resolution
• extension education
• feral hogs
• human–wildlife conflicts
• immunocontraception
• integrated pest management
• invasive species
• sus scrofa
• texas