A Feral swine fact sheet is available at the Chouteau County Extension office or online at: https://www.animalrangeextension.montana.edu/wildlife/documents/Squeal%20on%20Pigs%20Fact%20Sheet19.pdf.
Below are a few highlights from the fact sheet.
Feral swine have not been documented in the state of Montana. Montana citizens need to understand how important it is to keep this pest out of our state. Feral swine are aggressive animals that can be extremely destructive to fields, fences, and facilities. Their wallows can affect ponds and wetlands, muddying the water and destroying aquatic vegetation. They can strip a field of crops in one night and pose a threat to ground nesting birds and some endangered species. Feral swine also can transmit diseases and parasites, such as pseudorabies, brucellosis, and tuberculosis, to livestock and people.
The Montana Department of Livestock (DOL) has been working in partnership with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services to respond to reports of feral swine in Montana. Since the prohibition of feral swine was passed by the 2015 Montana Legislature, DOL receive 1-2 reports of possible sightings of feral swine in Montana. These reports include feral swine imported from Texas for hunting purposes, sightings by hunters along river bottoms, and reports from landowners along Montana’s highline. A report of a feral swine population in north central Montana in January 2018 resulted in 13 ½ flight hours looking for evidence of feral swine in the area. Fortunately, nothing was found.
Feral swine are considered illegal under state law. The following actions are prohibited in the State of Montana: Importing, transporting, or possessing live feral swine, intentionally, knowingly, or negligently allowing swine to live in a feral state, hunting, trapping, or killing feral swine, assisting
in hunting, trapping, or killing of feral swine, intentionally feeding feral swine, expanding the range of feral swine, and profiting from the release, hunting, trapping, or killing of feral swine. The law also includes penalties for violations and up to $10,000 per violation and repayment of costs incurred in the eradication of feral swine.
Feral swine sightings can be reported to the Squeal on Pigs hotline at 406-444-2976. The eradication of feral swine in Montana is restricted to the following groups: Employees of the Department of Livestock, other state or federal employees designated by the Department of Livestock (DOL) and a private landowner or lessee that encounters feral swine on their land or land under their control. Private landowners or lessees may eradicate the pest only when the animals pose an immediate danger to persons or property or the animals will expand their range without immediate eradication. In this instance, the individual is responsible for notifying DOL within 24 hours.
Montana State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provide
