Feral Hog

Private Lands

No closed season; no limit. Feral hogs may be hunted at night with a light (no voltage restriction), which is carried on the person, affixed to a helmet or hat, or part of a belt system worn by a hunter. No hunting from a vehicle. Hunting over bait is allowed. A resident Hunting License is required to hunt feral hogs for all resident hunters 16 years old or older, except when hunting on land owned by them or their immediate family (blood or dependent relationship) residing in the same household. Non-residents must possess a non-resident hunting license. Contact the Game Management office nearest you for more information (see Contact Info).

National Forest & Corps of Engineers Lands (outside of WMAs)

Hogs may be taken with archery equipment during archery deer season, with deer weapons during firearms deer season, with turkey weapons during turkey season and with small game weapons during small game season. Feral hogs may be hunted with dogs with appropriate weapons restrictions while training dogs during dates when training season coincides with small game or turkey season. See Dogs & Dog Training. No limit. No night hunting. No hunting over bait. Hunting license requirements must be met. Hunter orange is required during firearms and primitive weapons deer seasons. Special regulations apply for Hartwell, Strom Thurmond/Clarks Hill, and Russell lakes (see Federal Lands).

Transporting & Release

Transporting live feral hogs is prohibited unless such feral hogs have tested negative for brucellosis and pseudorabies within 30 days prior to transport. It is illegal to release any trapped or transported live feral hogs into any area that is not fenced to prevent escape of such feral hog. Any persons convicted of the release of live feral hogs in violation of established laws and regulations may be subject to revocation of hunting privileges for up to three years.

Warning

Feral hogs can carry infectious diseases that are transmissible to people. To avoid possible exposure, wear plastic gloves when field-dressing feral hogs; wash hands with soap and hot water immediately afterwards; avoid direct contact with blood and reproductive organs; cook thoroughly, and properly dispose of all waste.

Processing

Any facility that processes hogs for a fee must be licensed as a red meat establishment by the Dept. of Agriculture. Deer processors can obtain a Custom Feral Hog Exempt license from the GA Dept. of Agriculture, Meat Inspection Section for $10. Contact the Meat Inspection Section at (404) 656-3673 for more information. This licensing requirement does not apply to anyone processing a feral hog for their own use.