Figure 1. A corral trap using only two 20-ft livestock panels. Use of 5 panels would be preferred to capture entire sounders. Photo courtesy of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
Trapping feral hogs using corral traps is one of the most common, and in many cases the most efficient, technique for managing feral hog damage to land resources. Whereas most trappers measure the success of their removal program in numbers of feral hogs captured (and subsequently euthanized or removed), the more …
Figure 1. A litter of feral hog shoats captured in a box trap in Texas (Texas AgriLife Extension Service Photo).
Construction
Box traps come in a variety of designs and shapes. Most are built from livestock panels with steel pipe or angle iron frames. Because most traps are built by the users, they differ greatly in size, portability, door configuration, flooring, and roofing. In some areas, ready-to-use box traps with several different styles of gates can be purchased. A common …
Feral hog snares can be a beneficial tool for controlling feral hogs. They are relatively inexpensive, simple to build with minimal tools needed, and highly adaptable to terrains where corral or box-type traps are not easily deployed. They also work well for trap-shy feral hogs. It is important to remember, however, that snares can trap non-target species, such as deer. The trapper should take precautions in the deployment of snares to minimize this effect.
Corral traps are very popular methods of trapping undesired feral hogs by landowners. As with any method, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages associated with their construction and deployment.
• Corral traps are effective for capturing entire sounders (groups) of hogs.
• Deer are able to escape the open top.
• Can be located in areas with ongoing hog use.
• Can be expensive and time-consuming to construct.
• Not easily moved and are more …
Corral traps are a popular and effective method of controlling feral hogs. They are capable of catching entire sounders (groups of hogs) in one capture. Most corral traps are made of 20- by 5-ft utility panels with 4- by 4-inch square mesh and steel T-posts.
Some corral traps use head gates, while others use the panels themselves to create a funnel. These can be beneficial as head gates are typically expensive to purchase. This is the type we will discuss …
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| Photo courtesy Jared Timmons, Texas AgriLife Extension |
Rooter/lifter gates are top choices among feral hog trappers because they allow additional capture after the initial gate closure. The rooter/lifter gate can be changed so that it initially operates as a drop gate. Because rooter/lifter gate designs differ greatly in design, shape, and size, modifications will also vary, but the adjustments described by Dan McMurtry of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDAAPHIS) and explained …
Baits used for trapping feral hogs can range from homemade concoctions to specialized commercial blends, carrion, or feedstuffs including whole corn, livestock cubes, or soured grain. Trappers advocating the use of each of these baits can be found depending on individual experiences. Ease of use, price, and availability are three of the most important variables to consider when choosing which bait to use for trapping feral hogs. Luckily, feral hogs will eat just about anything, making our choices less complicated.…
Currently, there are no approved poisons or toxicants that are registered and legal for use. However, there is considerable interest among the public and state and federal agencies to research use of toxicants to reduce feral hog (Sus scrofa) populations. The United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) is working with researchers to evaluate toxicants and delivery mechanisms.
A challenge in the use of toxicants is making them species specific. For instance, …
The gate should be designed to prevent captured hogs from escaping through the trap entrance. Three gate designs are among those most commonly used for trapping feral hogs:
Figure 1. Guillotine (drop) head gate on corral trap. Photo courtesy of Texas AgriLife Extension
Figure …
