Life’s Better Outdoors – dnr.sc.gov Status of Wild Pigs in South Carolina Charles Ruth a , Noel Myers b , Cory Heaton c , and Jack Mayer d a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources b USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services South Carolina c Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service d Savannah River National Laboratory
Status of Wild Pigs in SC Present in SC since the 1500s Recent Status: In 2019, wild pigs continued to be found in all 46 South Carolina counties In 2018, the statewide wild pig population was estimated to be approximately 162,591 animals This represents the highest population estimate ever documented in the state
Harvest of Wild Pigs in SC Recreational sporthunters harvested a total of 39,347 wild pigs in 2018, representing a 4 percent increase from the 2017 harvest In 2019, USDA Wildlife Services (WS) continued to conduct targeted removals of wild pigs around the state to reduce damage or augment existing control programs
WS Wild Pig Projects in SC With 2018 Farm Bill funding, WS began two cooperative 3- year pilot projects for wild pig management that will begin in the state in 2020 in: USDA WS SCDNR Hampton County Newberry SWCD USDA NRCS Newberry County WS has completely eliminated pigs from North Island and a second island project is being monitored with no pigs being observed for 6 months
WS Wild Pig Projects in SC With 2018 Farm Bill funding, WS began two cooperative 3- year pilot projects for wild pig management that will begin in the state in 2020 in: USDA WS SCDNR Hampton County Newberry SWCD USDA NRCS Newberry County WS has completely eliminated pigs from North Island and a second island project is being monitored with no pigs being observed for 6 months
WS Wild Pig Projects in SC Collected damage Continued cost-sharing assessment data on partnerships with the: Congaree National Park to US Forest Service National Park Service contribute to ongoing SC DNR research project SC State Parks Begun using UASs/drones USFWS to assess wild pig damage Department of Defense over large tracts of land to reduce wild pig problems or augment Assisted in the research existing programs in SC trials of a new toxicant for wild pigs
SC Cooperative Efforts Formed the multi-agency South Carolina Wild Hog Task Force in 2010 • SC USDA Wildlife Services Met annually since the • SCDNR and SCDHEC formation of the SCWHTF • Clemson University • Savannah River National Laboratory Maintain a website through the • SC State Veterinarian • SC USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services Clemson Extension Service • SC Farm Bureau https://www.clemson.edu/extension/wi • SC Pork Board & SC Pork Producers ldlife/wildhogs/ • NPS/Congaree National Park SC USDA NRCS Continuing to conduct public • US Forest Service and agency workshops and SC Soil & Water Conservation Districts SC Department of Parks, Recreation & seminars around the state Tourism
SC Cooperative Efforts Formed the multi-agency South Carolina Wild Hog Task Force in 2010 • SC USDA Wildlife Services Met annually since the • SCDNR and SCDHEC formation of the SCWHTF • Clemson University • Savannah River National Laboratory Maintain a website through the • SC State Veterinarian • SC USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services Clemson Extension Service • SC Farm Bureau https://www.clemson.edu/extension/wi • SC Pork Board & SC Pork Producers ldlife/wildhogs/ • NPS/Congaree National Park SC USDA NRCS Continuing to conduct public • US Forest Service and agency workshops and SC Soil & Water Conservation Districts SC Department of Parks, Recreation & seminars around the state Tourism
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