Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

The feral hog is an invasive species that inflicts billions of dollars in agricultural damage every year in the U.S. Hog-specific baits have shown promise in reducing feral hog abundance but require species-specific feeders to exclude domestic animals and non-target wildlife. Four feeder types were tested during 2016 and 2017 field studies, including commercial feeders, prototype feeders, and a new species-specific feral hog feeder. Commercial feeders with 2.3 kg, 4.5 kg, and 6.8 kg weighted doors were used in 2016 and raccoons were observed on camera opening doors 10 times out of 164 camera observed visitations (6.1%). No other non-target species were observed entering the feeders. The following year, new feeders with 7.7 kg double-sided guillotine doors were used in a field study and no raccoons opened doors during 153 camera-observed visitations. Out of over 1,600 non-target camera images recorded, only one mouse was observed inside the feeders. Results of this study suggest the new hog feeder may provide reduced-risk to non-target species and a promising tool for controlling hog populations.