Status of Wild Pigsin South Carolina

Life’s Better Outdoors – dnr.sc.gov

Charles Rutha, Noel Myersb, Cory Heatonc, and Jack Mayerd

a South Carolina Department of Natural Resourcesb USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services South Carolina

c Clemson University Cooperative Extension Serviced 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: Hampton County 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

USDA WSSCDNR

USDA NRCSNewberry SWCD

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: Hampton County 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

USDA WSSCDNR

USDA NRCSNewberry SWCD

WS Wild Pig Projects in SC Collected damage

assessment data on Congaree National Park to contribute to ongoing research project

Begun using UASs/drones to assess wild pig damage over large tracts of land

Assisted in the research trials of a new toxicant for wild pigs

Continued cost-sharing partnerships with the: US Forest Service National Park Service SC DNR SC State Parks USFWS Department of Defense

to reduce wild pig problems or augment existing programs in SC

SC Cooperative Efforts Formed the multi-agency

South Carolina Wild Hog Task Force in 2010

Met annually since the formation of the SCWHTF

Maintain a website through the Clemson Extension Service

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/wildlife/wildhogs/

Continuing to conduct public and agency workshops and seminars around the state

• SC USDA Wildlife Services• SCDNR and SCDHEC• Clemson University• Savannah River National Laboratory• SC State Veterinarian• SC USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services • SC Farm Bureau • SC Pork Board & SC Pork Producers • NPS/Congaree National Park

SC USDA NRCS• US Forest Service

SC Soil & Water Conservation DistrictsSC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism

SC Cooperative Efforts Formed the multi-agency

South Carolina Wild Hog Task Force in 2010

Met annually since the formation of the SCWHTF

Maintain a website through the Clemson Extension Service

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/wildlife/wildhogs/

Continuing to conduct public and agency workshops and seminars around the state

• SC USDA Wildlife Services• SCDNR and SCDHEC• Clemson University• Savannah River National Laboratory• SC State Veterinarian• SC USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services • SC Farm Bureau • SC Pork Board & SC Pork Producers • NPS/Congaree National Park

SC USDA NRCS• US Forest Service

SC Soil & Water Conservation DistrictsSC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Questions?