Sign up underway for aerial gunning of hogs

Boeuf River Soil & Water Conservation District in cooperation with USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Servicesis currently undergoing sign up for the Aerial Gunning of Feral Hogs Project in Richland Parish.
Feral swine cause major damage to property, agriculture (crops and livestock), ecosystems and cultural and historic resources.
This invasive species costs the United States and estimated $1.5 billion each year in damages and control costs. Feral Swine also threaten the health of people, wildlife, pets and other domestic animals with at least 30 diseases and nearly 40 types of parasites that they can carry.
Walter Cotton, Supervisory Wildlife Damage Management Biologist, with USDA/APHIS has been involved with aerial gunning since 2007 and is our area expert on this matter.
In FY2016, Richland Parish participants enrolled nearly 8,700 acres in the Aerial Gunning program. Aerial Gunning along with trapping or hunting hogs, can help reduce the feral hog population.
The deadline to sign up for the program will be Dec. 15.
Please come by the Boeuf River Soil & Water Conservation District office, located within the USDA Service Center at 141 Industrial Loop, Rayville, or contact 728-2081 ext. 3 for further information.
All programs offered on a non-discriminatory basis. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.