How to get rid of Feral Pigs

If you’re looking for the best ways to get rid of feral pigs, then this article is for you. As a professional shooter, I promise to do my best and put aside any inherent bias I have towards shooting and present the facts as they are so you can make an informed decision about the best method for controlling feral pigs on your property.

As we are all aware, feral pigs are a major pest across much of Australia, causing significant environmental damage, threatening native wildlife, degrading agricultural land, and spreading diseases. Their population has grown rapidly due to their adaptability, high reproductive rates, and lack of natural predators. Managing feral pigs has become a critical issue for landholders, governments, and conservationists alike.

There are several established methods for controlling feral pig populations in Australia. The most common and effective methods include poison baiting, trapping, and shooting. Each method has its own advantages, limitations, and suitability depending on the environment, number of feral pigs, and available resources. An integrated approach that combines multiple strategies is often recommended for long-term population control.

Poison Baiting

Poison baiting is widely regarded as the most cost-effective and efficient method for reducing large feral pig populations, particularly in remote or inaccessible areas. In Australia, the most commonly used poison is sodium fluoroacetate (1080), a naturally occurring compound to which many native species have developed a tolerance.

As much as I am against the use of poisons for animal welfare reasons, I believe this is one situation where the greater good of removing bulk numbers of feral pigs outweighs the ethical concern. In other words, if poison baits prevent feral pigs from destroying the nests of our native turtles, risking their extinction, then yes, I put aside my ethical concern.

How it Works: Bait stations are placed in pig-active areas and pre-fed with non-toxic bait to condition pigs to feed at the site. Once pigs are regularly consuming the bait, poisoned bait is deployed. The pigs ingest the poison and typically die within hours. Poison baits can also be dropped from the air via helicopters over large regions.

Advantages: Scalable, targeted, and cost-effective.

Limitations: Risk of poisoning native animals. Ethical concern due to animal welfare and environmental impact. Strict guidelines govern the use of 1080, requiring permits and trained personnel.

Best Use Scenario: Large-scale operations in remote or semi-remote areas where feral pig densities are high and terrain makes other methods impractical.

Trapping

Trapping involves capturing pigs using specially designed enclosures or cage traps, typically baited with food such as grain or fermented fruit. It is especially useful for targeting smaller pig populations or specific problem individuals.

How it Works: Traps are strategically placed along pig trails, near water sources, or in feeding areas. They often feature a one-way door or gate that closes once pigs enter. Traps may be monitored remotely or manually, and trapped pigs are then euthanised humanely.

Advantages: Enables removal of specific pigs or groups with minimal impact on other wildlife. When properly managed, it can be a humane method of control with minimal suffering.

Limitations: Requires regular monitoring and maintenance. Not effective for reducing large populations over vast areas. Pigs can learn to avoid traps, especially if they escape or witness others being captured.

Best Use Scenario: Peri-urban or agricultural areas with lower feral pig densities, or as part of a broader integrated pest management program.

Shooting

Shooting, including both ground-based and aerial shooting (from helicopters), is a commonly used method to directly reduce feral pig numbers. It is often used as a follow-up to other control measures or in areas where feral pigs pose an immediate threat.

How it Works: Ground shooting is typically conducted at night with thermal or infrared equipment, while aerial shooting allows quick coverage of large areas with dense feral pig populations.

It’s also worth noting that experienced, volunteer shooters can play a significant role in controlling feral pig numbers. For the last couple of years, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has trialled using volunteer shooters as part of their feral animal control programs. Reportedly, this has been a major success, so they are now rolling out the program across NSW and potentially other states.

Advantages: Immediate impact, flexible, and target-specific. Very low risk to non-target species when carried out correctly.

Limitations: Aerial shooting in particular can be expensive and requires coordination with aircraft and trained personnel. Ineffective in dense vegetation or heavily forested areas.

Best Use Scenario: On-ground volunteer and contract shooters in accessible terrain, or aerial shooting in more open landscapes like lightly wooded areas or properties with large crops where feral pig numbers are high.

Wrapping Up

Feral pigs are a formidable pest in Australia, but with coordinated and sustained efforts between volunteers, professionals, and farmers, their impact can be significantly reduced. Poison baiting, trapping, and shooting all have a major role to play, depending on the accessibility of the location and goals of the control program.

Generally speaking, an integrated approach using a combination of the above methods is the best approach for long-term success. Depending on your individual circumstances and property, any of these methods in isolation or the combination of a couple, may be the best approach.

 

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