Feral Hogs

Feral Swine (also called feral hogs and wild pigs) sounders have recently been reported in the outlying areas, and occasionally within the residential areas of Timberon.  They do an incredible amount of damage, carry diseases that can spread to livestock, and are a threat to public property, native ecosystems and human health.

 

FS-sounder

These feral hogs are an invasive (not native to the United States) species, and can multiply at an alarming rate.

Signs of feral swine infestation are shown in the examples below.  They will root up pasture irrigation to create wallows, rub off the lower bark of trees to scratch out parasites, and rip up gardens and nice soft landscaped areas.

FS-damage

The Feral Swine Specialist in Otero County is Aaron Fierro (575) 649-1498.  Chuck appreciates any and all reports of feral hog sightings, or reports of feral hog damage in the area, and will respond quickly. You can contact him via the information below, or pick up a Feral Swine Damage and Disease Threats brochure at the Timberon Development Council office.

A note from Brian Archuleta 9/10/2018:
Here is a brief summary of our activities over the past 12 months:
We have worked on 38 ranches/forest service allotments. Expending over 2800 man-hours, which includes 48 hours in the helicopter.  A total of 22 feral hogs (15-by helicopter, 7 by trapping) have been removed this fiscal year. Fourteen (14) feral hogs were sampled for Classical Swine Fever, Psuedorabies, Swine Brucellosis, Plague and Tularemia.  Results are pending.  We (USDA-Wildlife Services, Forest Service & Otero County Trapper)  have been collecting water samples throughout the Lincoln National Forest to sample for Feral Hog DNA.  This method has proven effective in locating unknown locations of hogs.  We are presently working in the southern portion of Otero County for hogs.  Some of these feral hogs are in remote in accessible places for traps.  The terrain (high elevations and thick forest canopy) has made it difficult to locate the hogs from the helicopter.  Our plans for the upcoming Federal fiscal year are to continue to locate and remove hogs by all available methods.  Our aerial flights will be scheduled in between the elk & deer hunts this fall/winter as not to disturb the hunters.  The numbers of hogs has been decreased over the past 5 ½ years, but there are still small isolated populations we will continue to work on.

Contact information for Feral Hog issues
Brian Archuleta
Supervisory Wildlife Biologist
USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services
500 N. Richardson Ave
Fed Bldg Rm 127
Roswell, NM 88201
Work phone (575) 623-3310
Cell phone (575) 420-9675
eMail Brian Archuleta

To report sightings of feral swine, please use the documents below:
FERAL SWINE SIGHTING REPORT TIMBERON 716 (Word document) can be filled out online and e-mailed.
FERAL SWINE TIMBERON 716 (pdf) can be printed, filled out and mailed, or scanned and e-mailed.
Thank you!

Information about Feral Hogs in New Mexico can be found at the USDA APHIS website.