Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will conduct aerial feral swine control on refuge lands July 6-10, 2026, weather permitting. To ensure public safety, portions of the refuge public use areas will be temporarily closed during this time while control activities are underway. Closed areas will include portions of Burma Road south of Boulder picnic area, Narrows Trail, Quetone Point, Parallel Forest, Mt. Scott Canyon south of the Mt. Scott picnic area, and the area west of Sunset Peak. Refuge staff intend to have these areas re-opened to the public after control operations have ceased. Refuge roads will remain open during all control operations. Control activities will continue in other areas of the refuge, which will not require any public use closures.
Feral swine are invasive, nuisance species that compete with Oklahoma’s native wildlife for food causing significant disturbance to native habitat. They were introduced to north America in the 1500. Today, Oklahoma is home to an estimated 600,000 to 1.5 million feral swine. Their numbers and range continue to increase due to their high reproductive potential and lack of natural predators.
Based on sightings, habitat disturbance, and current control efforts, feral swine remain a substantial concern on Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Impacts from their feeding, rooting, and wallowing are visible in every habitat type and are detrimental to native wildlife throughout the refuge. Feral swine are omnivorous and destructive in their feeding habits, competing against native species while consuming native plants, insects and even small animals like, frogs, moles and ground nesting bird eggs. Habitats damaged by feral swine can be vulnerable to erosion and the introduction of invasive plants. Feral swine also serve as a reservoir for disease, which can spread to native wildlife.
To mitigate the damage to native species and habitats, and to help control the population, the Refuge initiated aerial control methods for feral swine in 2015. Aerial control operations are conducted by one helicopter using specially trained U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel following policy and procedures established to ensure safe, humane, and environmentally sound practices. This method has proved highly effective throughout the refuge, including in areas that are difficult to access through other means.
Although the refuge does not anticipate any changes to the above-mentioned closures, the public is reminded to follow all area restrictions and closure signage. Updates on road conditions or temporary closures will be available on the Refuge website.
Source : fws.gov