Wild hogs wreaking havoc in GA. Here’s what to do if you see them in Macon

Wild hogs are roaming Georgia and while that may not seem like a big deal, the invasive swine are hugely troublesome.

Here’s why and what to do if you see them:

Why wild hogs are a problem

Wild hogs have been invading the area for a couple of decades, but their impact has steadily grown into a significant issue for the Peach State.

According to the University of Georgia, wild hogs have caused crop loss by an average of $107,000 per year in the state. Specifically, peanut, cotton and corn farms have tremendously suffered and all are essential to the state’s agriculture.

Justine Smith, a doctoral student at UGA, said the hogs stomp out seeds, trample crops and uproot plants, damaging them before they even have a chance to grow.

“Unfortunately, these pigs and their impact go just beyond what you might think,” said Smith. “They impact our native wildlife and plants, both directly and indirectly. They’re incredibly disruptive. They cause a lot of damage.”

However, damage to Georgia crops is not the only problem. Wild pigs can also cause damage to livestock because they will not only feed on newborn sheep, goats and calves, but they can also quickly spread diseases, wiping out entire herds.

In addition, wild hogs eat eggs, snakes, salamanders, frogs and attack small deer, said the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

So, what should you do if you see some in your area?

What to do if you see them in Macon

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is asking residents to trap and kill wild hogs and they are offering a reward for doing so. Here’s how it works:

The Hog Down Awards Program was developed by the DNR to help control the hog population in Georgia. The program offers residents a chance to win a $3,500 whole-sounder trap, a tool designed to catch an entire group of hogs.

Here are the requirements for entry:

• Only Georgia residents may enter.
• Lawfully kill a minimum of 10 feral hogs.
• Killed between dates provided for each quarter.
• Feral hogs must be killed in Georgia.
• Road-kills, spoiled carcasses, and live hogs are not eligible.
• Photograph(s) of a minimum of 10 dead hogs must be included with each entry.  The online entry form  will allow individuals to upload up to 10 photos, which may include single or multiple hogs in each.
• Photographs must be taken with a smartphone or camera with location and time/date enabled.
• Individuals may only complete an entry when they have photo evidence of 10 dead hogs, no sooner.
• Individuals can submit multiple entries during each quarter (e.g., an individual who kills 100 hogs during the quarter can submit 10 entries).   
• Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
• Participants who submit duplicate photos of the same feral hog for multiple entries or multiple individuals using the same photo will be disqualified from all drawings.
• Each entry must include first and last name of individual, county(ies) in which hogs were killed, method and date of take, and DNR Customer Number or Hog Control Permit Number.
• Participants will electronically sign an attestation that hogs were killed lawfully, all information is true and correct, and agree to a polygraph test if requested.
• Winners will be required to participate in monitoring surveys (1 upon being awarded and 2nd after one year to assess hog control effort and effectiveness).
• Entries close at 12 PM following the last date listed for each quarter.   
• DNR employees, GACD hog control custodians, or other State/Federal/local government employees conducting hog control during official duties are not eligible to participate in Awards program. Immediate family members of same also excluded from participating.

Visit the DNR’s website for specific quarter dates and the form for entry into the program.

Do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com