Hog Hunting Regulations in Texas

Wild hogs are known to carry more than thirty dangerous diseases.

The Lone Star State plays host to the country’s worst infestation of invasive wild hogs, which cause around $51.8 million worth of damage to Texas agriculture every year. The state of Texas wants their hog population gone, and some counties even offer a bounty for slain hogs, so, as you may have guessed, hog-hunting regulations are pretty relaxed. Purchase the proper license, put your sound code of sportsman’s ethics into practice and there will be nothing stopping you from having the time of your life stalking 300-pound wild Texas hogs. Here are some regulations you should be aware of before hunting wild hogs in Texas.

Land Regulations

You may never hunt on private land without the express permission of the landowner. Consider land to be private if it is fenced, posted with signs or marked with purple paint on trees or posts.

You may not hunt a wild hog on a public road or right-of-way.

Because wild hogs are deemed nuisance animals that may cause damage on or to the landowner's property, Texas landowners, regardless of residency, or a landowner's agent (i.e., someone the landowner has authorized), may kill wild hogs without a license.

When retrieving a wounded wild hog, you may not pursue the animal across a property line without the consent of the landowner.

Hunting Regulations

1. Agencies

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department governs feral hog hunting. The Texas Animal Health Commission tracks hog movement to prevent the spread of disease, and the Texas Animal Damage Control Service aids Texans who have had property damaged by wild hogs.

2. Terms

At different places in its official literature, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department classifies wild hogs as exotic animals, nuisance animals and nongame animals. Relevant to hunting regulations on public land is the section on exotic animals. As defined by the state, an exotic animal refers to a plant-eating, single-hoofed or cloven-hoofed mammal that is not indigenous or native to Texas.

3. Season

There is no closed season for wild hogs.

4. Bag limit

There is no bag limit for wild hogs.

5. Documents

You must carry on your person when in the field a valid identifying document such as a driver’s license and your hunting license when on public land.

A game warden has the authority to inspect your hunting license, identifying document, gun or other hunting devices, harvested hog or the contents of any container that could be used to transport wildlife.

6. Methods

You may kill wild hogs by any means except poison or explosives. You may bait for hogs on private land. As long as you notify the local game warden beforehand, Texas permits hunting at night with the aid of a spotlight.

Licenses

Even though Texas does not consider feral hogs to be game animals, you still must purchase a license to hunt them on public land.

The minimum cost to be properly licensed for wild hogs as of 2010 is $25 for Texas residents and $315 for out-of-state residents. Fees are nonrefundable, and the license remains valid from the date of sale through August 31 of the year of purchase.

Note that landowners may legally give unlicensed hunters permission to hunt feral pigs on their land.

Penalties

Violating any of the above regulations constitutes a Class A Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. This offense carries a $500 to $4000 fine and up to a year in jail.

References

• Wildlife Louisiana: Feral Hog Encroachment
• Texas Parks and Wildlife: 2009 - 2010 Texas Fishing and Hunting Regulations

Resources

• Texas Cooperative Extension: Feral Hogs in Texas