MDAC to open new wild hog control program application period

Andy Gipson, Mississippi commissioner of agriculture and commerce, announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will open a new application period for its Wild Hog Control Program beginning Sunday, Feb. 1.

Applications will be accepted through Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, and landowners in all Mississippi counties are eligible to apply.

“Wild hogs remain a costly nuisance for Mississippi landowners, particularly in our rural and agricultural areas,” Gipson said. “Through the Wild Hog Control Program, we’re encouraging eligible participants to take advantage of available trapping assistance and join our ongoing efforts to limit the damage caused by invasive hog populations.”

The program provides “smart” traps to landowners and managers for use on private agricultural and forestry lands. MDAC also offers training and technical guidance on effective trapping and control methods.

Applications must be submitted online at mdac.ms.gov/whcp and will be evaluated based on acreage available for trapping, documented agricultural losses caused by wild hogs, and current control efforts. Cooperative applications are encouraged for adjoining small parcels. Traps are generally available for one-month intervals, depending on use and success, with one trap recommended per 500 acres, depending on landscape and land use.

Additional program guidelines and information are available at mdac.ms.gov/whcp. Questions may be directed to Harold Leonard at [email protected].