The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced a new initiative designed to combat the growing problem of feral hogs across the state. The “Hog Down Awards Program” will provide valuable resources to individuals actively working to control the feral hog population, which causes extensive damage to wildlife habitats and agricultural crops, as well as spreading disease.

Feral hogs, also known as wild pigs, are an invasive species that have become a significant threat to Georgia’s ecosystems and economy. The most effective method of controlling these destructive animals is whole-sounder trapping – the removal of an entire group of hogs at once. However, the specialized traps required for this method can be expensive, often costing $3,500 or more.

To incentivize hog control efforts and provide access to essential tools, the DNR is awarding 20 whole-sounder feral hog traps, valued at approximately $3,500 each, to randomly selected participants through the Hog Down Awards Program. The program is structured around quarterly drawings, with five traps awarded each quarter.

“This program is a win-win,” stated a DNR spokesperson. “It rewards individuals who are already actively managing the feral hog population while also providing them with the means to significantly improve their control efforts.”

How to Participate:

To be eligible for the Hog Down Awards Program, participants must meet the following requirements:

  • Lawfully kill a minimum of 10 feral hogs within Georgia during each quarterly period.
  • Provide photographic evidence of at least 10 dead hogs, taken with a smartphone or camera with location and time/date enabled.
  • Submit an online entry form with required information, including the participant’s first and last name, the county(ies) where the hogs were killed, the method and date of take, and a DNR Customer Number or Hog Control Permit Number.

Multiple entries are permitted per quarter, with one entry allowed for every 10 hogs killed. However, participants are limited to winning only one trap per quarter.

Important Dates:

The program runs from July 1st to June 30th each year, with quarterly drawings held in the first week of:

  • October (for entries from July 1 – September 30)
  • January (for entries from October 1 – December 31)
  • April (for entries from January 1 – March 31)
  • July (for entries from April 1 – June 30)

Entries close at 12 PM following the last date listed for each quarter.

Additional Requirements:

Winners will be required to participate in monitoring surveys, one upon being awarded the trap and another after one year, to assess the effectiveness of their hog control efforts. DNR employees, GACD hog control custodians, other State/Federal/local government employees conducting hog control during official duties, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.

The DNR encourages all eligible individuals to participate in the Hog Down Awards Program and contribute to controlling the destructive feral hog population in Georgia.

For complete rules, regulations, and the online entry form, visit the DNR website HERE