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Landowner Opinions Regarding Wild Pigs in Georgia, USA

Abstract

Wild pigs, present in over 140 (of 159) counties in Georgia, cause significant problems. They are hunted and trapped for recreation, yet they are responsible for over $150 million in damage to property and crops. Research suggests that the public has divergent approaches to wild pig control, lacks knowledge about effective control strategies, undertakes a range of legal and non-legal control activities, and suffers significant financial losses from wild pigs. Not all landowners experience similar amounts of damage and therefore attitudes regarding the significance of the wild pig problem in Georgia differ widely among citizens. Respondents from a previous wild pig survey in Georgia (farmers in ¼ of the state) felt most control measures were ineffective and that state and federal agencies should provide more assistance. Previous respondents perceived a decline in some native game species and blamed wild pigs. I conducted a statewide survey of 3,000 landowners in February 2015 to assess broader perceptions towards wild pigs, estimate economic losses from wild pig damage, and determine attitudes toward wild pigs. Overall response rate was 38% (n = 1,109). Analysis suggests that farmers have more direct contact than other landowners with wild pigs and therefore shoulder more of the costs related to damage (e.g., crop loss, food plot, and timber damage). Statewide, respondents favor measures to reduce wild pig populations. Respondents believe wild pig populations are increasing due to lack of hunting, natural reproductive potential, and illegal trap and transfer. Generally, respondents felt that self-implemented lethal control measures were not effective at reducing wild pig populations or damage.

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