The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be holding a series of hog hunts on District lands. Prospective hunters can purchase permits on the District’s web site at www.WaterMatters.org/hoghunts beginning Oct. 13.
The cost is $50 for each permit. Permits will be available through 5 p.m. on Nov. 3. However, there are a limited number of permits available and permits will be issued on a first come, first serve basis.
Hog hunts will be held on the following District-managed properties:
Starkey Wilderness Preserve
Pasco County
Jan. 22-25 and March 3-6
Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, Hampton Tract
Polk County
Feb. 10-13, Feb. 24-27, March 10-13 and March 24-27
Deep Creek
DeSoto County
Jan. 9-11
Hálpata Tastanaki
Marion County
Jan. 15-18
Myakka River, Schewe Tract
Sarasota County
Dec. 19-21 and Jan. 6-8
Upper Hillsborough, Alston Tract
Pasco County
Feb. 6-8 and Feb. 20-22
Conner Preserve
Pasco County
Feb. 18-20
Only selected hunters will be allowed on the properties during these dates.
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 150 pounds and travel in herds of several females and their offspring.
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.
The District only allows hogs to be controlled through hunts when the damage they cause is at unacceptable levels, and damage is occurring more frequently and with increasing severity.
In addition to obtaining a permit online, hunters can also get maps of the areas where the hunts will take place on the District’s web site.