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Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson Announces February 2026 Wild Hog Control Program Application Period
JACKSON, Miss. – Today, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson announced that the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) will begin accepting a new round of applications for its Wild Hog Control Program (WHCP) starting this Sunday, February 1. The application period will remain open until Sunday, February 15, 2026. All Mississippi counties are eligible for the application period.
“Wild hogs remain a costly nuisance for Mississippi landowners, particularly in our rural and agricultural areas,” said Commissioner Gipson. “Our agency is focused on giving landowners the resources they need to manage these animals effectively. Through the Wild Hog Control Program, we’re encouraging eligible participants to take advantage of available trapping assistance and join our ongoing efforts to limit the damage caused by invasive hog populations.”
Through the WHCP, MDAC provides “smart” traps to landowners and managers for the control of wild hogs on private agricultural and forestry lands in Mississippi. MDAC provides the training necessary to use the “smart” traps and technical guidance regarding the most effective methods to trap and control wild hogs on private lands.
Applications must be completed and submitted online at www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp. Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the number of acres available for trapping, historical agricultural losses caused by wild hogs on the property and current trapping efforts on the property. A cooperative application is encouraged for small acreage (i.e., adjoining land managers of small parcels should work together to submit one application). Traps will be available for one-month intervals, dependent upon use and success. One trap per 500 acres is recommended, depending on landscape and land use.
Visit www.mdac.ms.gov/whcp for program guidelines, applications and additional information. Submit questions regarding the WHCP to Harold Leonard at HaroldL@mdac.ms.gov.
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