Hunting is a favorite pastime in Florida, and the second-most popular, large animal hunted in Florida is the wild hog, also called wild boars, wild pigs, and feral pigs. Second in popularity behind only the White-tailed deer, wild hogs are so popular with hunters due to two factors: the prevalence of the animal and the ease with which the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has made it to hunt them. Take a look at both sides below.
A Nuisance Animal
Wild hogs are not native to Florida, but they are so common they are found in every one of Florida’s 67 counties. They are so plentiful that they have become a nuisance, especially to agricultural producers. Wild hogs destroy crops and tear up the ground. It’s one reason why the hunting restrictions on wild hogs are so lax.
Hunting Regulations for Wild Hogs
Unlike most game in Florida, there are few restrictions on hunting wild hogs. The least-restrictive setting for hunting wild hogs is on private property with landowner permission, where wild hogs can be hunted at any time of the year, with any legal-to-own firearm or bow, with no size or bag limits, and no requirement for a license.
Florida also offers wildlife management areas (WMAs) with public hunting opportunities requiring Quota/Limited Entry Hunt Permits. On these WMAs, wild hogs can be taken during any hunting season, except spring turkey season, and you must hunt using whatever the season requires. Limits are determined by the WMA in question, and the details can be found on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website.
This column is sponsored by Wild Game Food Bank, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFAN or of its advertisers.
BIO: Caitlin Meadows is the founder of Wild Game Food Bank. She proudly serves the community in this capacity while enjoying life as a wife, mom, and REALTOR®. A UF graduate and Gainesville native, Caitlin and her family have called Polk County home for the last ten years. Her husband is an avid hunter, which is what helped fuel the inspiration behind WGFB. Caitlin and her husband enjoy spending time outdoors with their son, attending church, and managing their cattle and chickens. To learn more about WGFB, go to wildgamefoodbank.com.