[title size=”2″]Hunting feral hogs in the Ozarks[/title]

Feral hogs are not native to the Ozarks and have caused millions of dollars in damage and control efforts to the region. Many state and local officials thus encourage the killing of feral hogs. In general, the only time a permit is needed to hunt feral pigs in most areas of the Ozarks is during deer and turkey hunting season. While the conservation agencies of the Ozarks consider feral hogs a dangerous and destructive pest, they do not encourage the specific hunting of feral hogs since it supports the releasing of feral hogs for hunting purposes, and can thus disrupt existing efforts to eradicate feral hogs en masse. There are some areas of the Ozarks where official hunts are illegal, so be sure to read the regulations carefully and to stay informed.

Feral hogs average over a hundred pounds but can grow to weigh as much as 400 pounds.  Their populations have grown to over 6 million with sightings in 47 states in America. If you hunt feral hogs, be sure to wear gloves while handling their carcasses, as they are known carriers of diseases—especially porcine brucellosis. Their meat is safe to be eaten if well-cooked but the offal should not be ingested and should be disposed of properly by burying it deep in the ground.