Mississippi Reopens Wild Hog Control Program Applications

State agriculture department offers traps and guidance to help landowners manage invasive wild hogs.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:15am

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The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce will begin accepting a new round of applications on February 1 for its Wild Hog Control Program, which provides 'smart' traps and technical guidance to help landowners combat the damage caused by invasive wild hogs. The application period will run through February 15, 2026, and is open to all Mississippi counties.

Why it matters

Wild hogs are a significant problem for many Mississippi landowners, particularly in rural and agricultural areas, causing costly damage. The state's Wild Hog Control Program aims to give landowners the resources they need to effectively manage these invasive animals.

The details

Through the program, the agriculture department provides 'smart' traps to landowners and managers for use on private agricultural and forestry lands. MDAC also offers training on how to use the traps and technical guidance on effective trapping and control methods. Applications will be evaluated based on factors like the number of acres available, documented agricultural losses, and existing trapping efforts.

  • The application period will open on February 1, 2026 and run through February 15, 2026.
  • Traps are generally available for one-month intervals, depending on use and success.

The players

Andy Gipson

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce for the state of Mississippi.

Harold Leonard

Contact person for the Wild Hog Control Program at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

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What they’re saying

“'Wild hogs remain a costly nuisance for Mississippi landowners, particularly in our rural and agricultural areas. Our agency is focused on giving landowners the resources they need to manage these animals effectively.'”

— Andy Gipson, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This program demonstrates Mississippi's commitment to supporting its agricultural community by providing tools and guidance to help landowners combat the persistent problem of invasive wild hogs, which can cause significant damage to crops and property.