The Southwest Florida Water Management District's (District) Hampton Tract will be temporarily closed to the public for wild hog hunts Feb. 13-15. This also includes closed-area tracts at Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve.
Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 38 permits for these hunts have been sold.
The Hampton Tract is located at 18490 Rock Ridge Road in Lakeland.
This activity is one of a series of wild hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being caused to the natural habitats.
The District only allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause exceeds unacceptable levels, and damage is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity.
Wild hogs live throughout Florida in various habitats, but prefer moist forests and swamps, as well as pine flatwoods. They are omnivorous and feed by rooting with their broad snouts, which can cause extensive damage to the natural habitats. In fact, they can leave an area looking like a plowed field.
Wild hogs are not native to Florida and are believed to have been introduced by explorer Hernando DeSoto as early as 1539. They can weigh more than 300 pounds and travel in herds of several females and their offspring.
For more information, please call the District's Land Management section at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4467.
Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property during these dates. All 38 permits for these hunts have been sold.
The Hampton Tract is located at 18490 Rock Ridge Road in Lakeland.
This activity is one of a series of wild hog hunts being held on District lands to control the damage being caused to the natural habitats.
The District only allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause exceeds unacceptable levels, and damage is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity.
Wild hogs live throughout Florida in various habitats, but prefer moist forests and swamps, as well as pine flatwoods. They are omnivorous and feed by rooting with their broad snouts, which can cause extensive damage to the natural habitats. In fact, they can leave an area looking like a plowed field.
Wild hogs are not native to Florida and are believed to have been introduced by explorer Hernando DeSoto as early as 1539. They can weigh more than 300 pounds and travel in herds of several females and their offspring.
For more information, please call the District's Land Management section at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4467.