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Assessing the Pig Brig Trap System as a Tool to Control Feral Hogs

Extension Education

Amy Simpson
CEA - Staff Chair
ARKADELPHIA

Abstract

Feral hogs are a growing problem across Arkansas and many other states. A non-native, invasive species, their agricultural and ecological damage is estimated to cost $1.5 billion each year. Specifically in Arkansas, the damage is estimated at $19 million annually. The impacts on producers include loss of crops, injury and disease transmission to livestock, and property damage. Many methods of control have been used to attempt to control feral hog populations, including individual shooting, airborne eradication, and several trapping systems. Trapping systems like Game Changer and Boar Buster work well, but they require a cellular signal to drop the gate or trap remotely and are expensive and heavy. In rural Arkansas, cellular service is not always available. Our group of southwest Arkansas county agents and UADA Wildlife Specialist Dr. Becky McPeake wanted to test the effectiveness of the Pig Brig Trap System, which does not require cellular service, is thousands of dollars cheaper than other traps, and is lightweight. Three different farms with feral hog damage in Hempstead, Nevada, and Clark Counties were used as our trapping sites beginning in September 2021. Pre-baiting before setting up the trap was conducted to condition the hogs to bait. Game cameras were used to count the number of sounders and the number of hogs in each sounder coming to the bait. The trap was set up according to the included directions. We were successful at trapping the complete sounders at each site. We concluded that the Pig Brig Trap System is an effective, easy to set up, economical option for producers to help keep their feral hog populations in check. However, we did not have any boars or multiple sounders coming to each trap site. More demonstrations will be needed to test the trap’s effectiveness in those situations. Also, as the trap is used more and more, the longevity of the net, straps, and anchors can be assessed more accurately. To date these results have been shared with producers at the Four States Ag Expo, at a state-wide in-service for fellow agents, and at row crop production meetings.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Amy Simpson, Stacey Stone, Kimberly Rowe, Cindy Ham, Becky McPeake
  1. Simpson, A. CEA - Staff Chair, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 71923
  2. Stone, S. CEA-Staff Chair, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 71857
  3. Rowe, K. CEA-Agriculture, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 71801
  4. Ham, C. CEA-4-H/Agriculture, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 71923
  5. McPeake, B. Professor/Ext Spec Wildlife, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Arkansas, 72204