Research shows trust and experience guide landowner actions on hog control
Feral hogs are one of the most destructive invasive species affecting farms and natural resources in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, these animals cause about $2.5 billion in damage and control costs each year. Their populations are present in at least 35 states, with the highest numbers in the southeastern region.
Two recent studies examined how landowners view feral hog management and what factors influence their decisions to control these animals. The research highlights that trust, previous experience, and land use play important roles in determining how landowners respond to the growing problem.
The studies were led by Nana Tian, a forest economics researcher associated with the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, and a professor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The goal of the research was to better understand landowners’ attitudes so that more effective management plans and outreach programs can be developed.
“Understanding their perspectives and attitudes toward feral hogs is very important for us to make management plans,” said Tian, an associate professor in the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. “That’s the major reason why we established those two different studies.”
One study focused on landowners in Arkansas, Louisiana, and East Texas. Researchers found that trust within communities influences whether landowners take action to control feral hogs. Cooperation between neighboring landowners is important because feral hogs move across properties and cannot be managed effectively by a single landowner.
Researchers also discovered that trust could influence how landowners view government programs. Landowners who strongly trust their local communities often prefer working with neighbors rather than joining government-led control programs.
When choosing control methods, most landowners favored lethal methods to reduce hog populations. Protecting property was the main reason for controlling feral hogs. About 60 percent of surveyed landowners said they were motivated by the need to protect their homes or land. Others mentioned protecting wildlife and vegetation, safeguarding family members, and reducing environmental damage.
The second study explored how much landowners are willing to pay for state-sponsored feral hog management programs. The results showed that willingness to pay varied based on land use and location.
Agricultural cropland owners showed the highest willingness to contribute financially, while timber and pasture landowners were generally less willing. The average willingness to pay was $17.37 per hectare in Arkansas, $12.85 in Louisiana, and $36.37 in East Texas. Researchers believe the higher value in East Texas reflects longer exposure to hog damage.
The findings suggest that education and outreach programs must be tailored to local conditions because landowners in different regions respond differently to feral hog management strategies.
Photo Credit: University of Arkansas Research and Extension