An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
REPORT WILD PIG SIGHTINGS, DAMAGE, OR CRIMINAL RELEASE
or call: 1-800-858-1549
Hunting is counterproductive to agency eradication efforts. Hunting fails as a eradication tool for wild pigs due to their high reproductive rate and intelligence. Disturbances associated with human activity, especially hunting pressure, cause wild pigs to leave the area and become nocturnal. Hunting mortality simply cannot overcome the reproductive output of wild pigs. Hunting only removes approximately 30% of the population annually. However, hunters must remove 70% just to stabilize the population.
Wild pigs are an exotic, invasive species that pose serious threats to wildlife, wildlife habitat, natural areas, agriculture, and Kentucky hunting traditions. Wild pigs are not considered game species in Kentucky. In an effort to stop the spread of wild pigs, KDFWR discourages wild pig hunting and asks the public to report sightings and damage.
Wild pig populations did not naturally expand into Kentucky. Misguided hunters intentionally released wild pigs, in an effort to create new hunting opportunities. Some wild pigs were a result of negligent owners who allowed their pigs to run free or who released them intentionally when they could no longer care for them.
Wild Pigs arrived in Kentucky via pickup trucks. Unfortunately, existing data and investigations indicate that wild pigs have colonized new areas in Kentucky via truck and trailer; the result of illegal releases for recreational hunting opportunities.