Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson Announces August 2025 Wild Hog ControlProgram Application Period

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2025

JACKSON, Miss. – Today, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will begin accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP) starting this Friday, August 1. The application period will remain open until Friday, August 15. All Mississippi counties are eligible for the application period.

“Wild hogs are one of the most destructive, invasive species threatening Mississippi’s agriculture and natural resources, causing more than $60 million in damages annually,” said Commissioner Gipson.

“Through our Wild Hog Control Program, we equip landowners with the tools and training they need to protect their crops, property and livelihoods. I encourage all eligible landowners and managers to apply for our latest round of trapping and join our agency in the fight to control these costly, non-native and nuisance animals.”

Through the WHCP, MDAC provides “smart” traps to landowners and managers for the control of wild hogs on private agricultural and forestry lands in Mississippi. MDAC provides the training necessary to use the “smart” traps and technical guidance regarding the most effective methods to trap and control wild hogs on private lands.

Applications must be completed and submitted online at www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp. Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property and current trapping efforts on the property.

A cooperative application is encouraged for small acreage (i.e., adjoining land managers of small parcels should work together to submit one application). Traps will be available for one-month intervals, dependent upon use and success. One trap per 500 acres is recommended, depending on landscape and land use.

Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp for program guidelines, applications and additional information. Submit questions regarding the WHCP to Harold Leonard at HaroldL@mdac.ms.gov.