News Release

Ozark Riverways closes land to feral swine hunting

A National Park Service employee surveys overnight damage covering more than an acre in one of the park's agricultural lease fields, which reduced hay production for the local farmer who leases the field.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: April 3, 2020

Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-4814

Van Buren, MO -   Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) announces the decision to close all fee-owned land within ONSR to feral swine hunting, based on current scientific studies and in support of other state and local land managers, as well as feedback received during a 30-day public comment period.

This temporary closure is effective immediately per 36 Code of Federal Regulations §1.5 (a). To remain consistent with other agencies, this closure includes an exception that will allow any hunter possessing a valid Missouri deer or turkey permit, who is hunting deer or turkey in compliance with the permit, the opportunity to kill feral swine.

The hunting of feral swine on the ONSR interferes with collaborative interagency efforts to eliminate feral swine in Missouri. Government trappers employed in these efforts identify home ranges and find the best spot in that range to catch the entire sounder all at the same time. Shooting at one or two swine or pursuing them with dogs will cause the sounder (the entire group) to scatter, which makes trapping the sounder all at the same time more difficult.

This closure aligns ONSR with its partners and neighbors in the statewide efforts to eliminate feral swine from Missouri. This is a crucial step in meeting the goals of the interagency Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership, which also includes USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service, USFS - Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and several other partners. More information about the Missouri Feral Hog Elimination Partnership can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mtnf/landmanagement/?cid=fseprd629017

“We appreciate the public feedback we received during the comment period, which helped us in making this decision. The closure to hunting of feral hogs within Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a positive step toward eliminating them from the park and from the state,” said Acting Superintendent Jason Lott. “Protecting the park’s valuable natural and cultural resources from destruction is a top priority.”

ONSR is committed to working with the state, our partners and private landowners to eliminate the growing population of feral swine and to ease the financial burden the destructive animals cause farmers and landowners. Across the United States, feral swine are responsible for more than $1.5 billion in damage and control costs, including $800 million due to direct damage to agriculture. They pose a growing threat to valuable cultural and natural resources on public land. Sensitive ecosystems and irreplaceable cultural and archaeological sites are extremely vulnerable to their impact. Feral swine have caused substantial resource damage through observed rooting, wallowing, and feeding behaviors.  Such activity can severely damage the appearance and integrity of cultural and historical resources as well as native species and associated habitats. Feral swine also destroy natural resources such as springs and compete with native wildlife.


Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.  For more information about Ozark National Scenic Riverways, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/ozar, or @ozarkriverways on Facebook. You can also call [phone] ext. 0, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days per week.
 

 

www.nps.gov/ozar

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