LBL officials ramping up helicopter flights to eradicate wild hogs

With the new year comes a redoubled effort to reduce the number of feral hogs in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Beginning January 21, the  Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Forest Service will use an increased number of helicopter flights and more bait trapping to euthanize the hogs.  

Their combined efforts will expand the technique to search for and direct the wild hogs for wildlife specialists to shoot from the aircraft. The technique is necessary to curb the feral swine population, according to the USDA's Animal and Plant Inspection Service.

Jim McCoy, area supervisor for LBL, said feral hogs are similar to Asian carp in that they are invasive and can quickly outcompete native animals.

The Forest Service began trapping in LBL in 2014 with success, but not at a rate that surpasses the hogs' reproduction rate.

In 2018, 70 feral swine were euthanized. Last year, that number grew to 736.

Also in 2024, Kentucky prohibited wild pig hunting in an effort to stop the illegal release and spread of wild pigs. Feral swine can only be taken on designated public areas in Tennessee and are illegal to possess. Hunters who transport and release the wild pigs only cause them to disperse into new areas and they become even more difficult to find and remove.

Feral swine are largely localized to the Tennessee portion of Land Between the Lakes, with some reported sightings north of the Kentucky border.

The location of the swine will dictate the daily operation areas. Visitors should be aware of the additional official vehicles and aircraft in LBL for the remainder of the winter.

Another helpful factor in the campaign is reports from LBL visitors when they see the wild hogs. Please report them immediately using the online form linked here .


(AP file photo)