The U.S. Forest Service has announced the public can no longer hunt feral hogs in the Mark Twain National Forest, with exceptions. It’s allowing the opportunistic take of feral hogs in the forest during all deer and turkey hunting seasons. According to a news release from the Missouri Department of Conservation, only those hunters with an unfilled permit in compliance with the permit conditions may take hogs.
MDC has said that allowing hunting while trapping increases the range of feral hogs in Missouri.
With the forest service’s announcement, the Conservation Commission has directed MDC to proposed regulation changes identical to the USFS regulation. MDC said that will ensure consistency of feral hog regulations on USFS and MDC managed lands.
The USFS announcement is effectively immediately at the Mark Twain National Forest and applies to the rest of the 2019-2020 deer season. But it won’t be in place for the 2019-2020 alternative methods and archery hunting season on MDC lands.
The MDC proposal will need to make its way through the state’s regulatory process, which includes a formal public comment period on the rulemakings, according to the department. The prohibition of hunting on public lands doesn’t apply to private lands. Landowners are allowed to hunt or shoot feral hogs on their property.
View the USFS's decision here.
