The following schedule is from the 72nd Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies which was held October 21-24, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama.
AUTHORS: Ryan Farney, Becca Wells, Dr. Michael J Shaughnessy Jr. – Northeastern State University
ABSTRACT: Feral hogs are known to cause extensive damage to native plant communities as well as native wildlife. Since their introduction in the 1500s feral hogs have been expanding their range to all parts of the United States. Feral hogs have been documented in the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) in Vian Ok since 2014. Management at the refuge has applied intensive control efforts to remove the feral hog population from SNWR. Despite control efforts, the feral hog population has persisted. The objective of this study is to monitor the feral hog population within SNWR with a camera trap grid. Additionally, we hope to be able to measure the effectiveness of camera trapping in determining the efficacy of control efforts on feral hogs. We also intend to document the behavioral and physiological response of feral hog populations to control efforts. A 35 camera trapping grid has been established within SNWR. Cameras allow for the documentation of individuals, sounders, sounder fecundity and the immigration of new individuals into SNWR. The results from this study should reveal a greater understanding of feral hog population ecology, in turn allowing refuge personnel to more effectively manage feral hogs within SNWR.
