The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has added two more dates for their public discussions on feral hogs in Virginia, their impacts, and what other states are now doing to control them in August. They will be held:
Wise County
6:00-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 22
US Forest Service office
9416 Coeburn Mountain Road, Wise, VA 24293
Bland County
6:00-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 23nd
Bland County Public Library
697 Main Street, Bland, VA 24315
As previously reported, VDGIF is holding another public hearing:
Halifax County
6:30 p.m. Monday, August 20
Scottsburg Vol. Fire Dept.
For more information, contact VDGIF at 434-525-7522
Feral hogs (also called wild hogs) are classified as a nuisance species in Virginia. Any pig that is outside of the property of its owner and cannot be claimed by its owner will be classified as a feral hog. They are an extremely invasive animal and cause damage to habitat wherever they exist. Feral hogs have been found to destroy turkey, grouse, and quail nests. They can also prey on deer fawns, destroy sensitive wetland habitat, and compete with our native wildlife for food resources. Feral hogs carry numerous diseases that can affect wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. The transmission of swine brucellosis and pseudorabies is a major concern to the commercial swine industry domestic animals, and humans. The transmission of swine brucellosis and pseudorabies is a major concern to the commercial swine industry.
