Texas is home to nearly 2.6 million feral hogs, the largest feral hog population in the U.S.  Their numbers are continuing to increase because of their high reproductive potential and the lack of natural predators.  Feral hogs wreak havoc on property, livestock, crops and pastures across the state and frustrate landowners because of their destructive nature. Landowners have reported extensive damage to crops, fences, roads, ponds, fields and feed loss.  Texas AgriLife Extension Service estimates that statewide annual economic damage caused by feral hogs is $500 million.  And, unless aggressive control measures are undertaken, the feral hog problem is expected to worsen in the years ahead.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) funds 2 grant programs geared towards eradicating feral hogs in Texas: Feral Hog Abatement Grant Program & Hog Out County Grants Program.

The Feral Hog Abatement Grant Program is a one-year grant program focused on implementing a long-term statewide feral hog abatement strategy. Currently Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Wildlife Services and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department receive funding under this grant program.

The Hog Out County Grants Program is designed to encourage counties across the state to make a concentrated and coordinated effort to reduce the feral hog population and damage caused by these animals during a three months period in the Fall. The 2012 winners were Hardeman County, Clay County, Lavaca County, Callahan County and Goliad County.