Image: ga_wild_hog

A proposed bill would allow Georgia hunters to trap and kill feral hogs without a hunting license. (Photo by WildMedia)

If it is signed into law, a recent bill passed by the Georgia House of Representatives would allow both Georgia residents and nonresidents to trap and kill feral hogs without a license.

According to wabe.org, House Bill 946 would also remove the wildlife control permit required for taking of any feral hog and hunting them from a moving motor vehicle. It also allows the use of drones to locate feral hogs.

The bill, which passed 163-1 in the House, still needs to pass the Georgia Senate before being signed into law.

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According to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Rob Clifton (R) of Evans, although there are already state programs tackling the hog problem, more needs to be done.

The invasive, feral hogs do major damage to Georgia agriculture and native wildlife and habitats. The UGA Extension estimated in 2020 that feral hogs caused approximately $150 million in damage each year. The wild swine are known to consume sea turtle eggs, ground-nesting birds, and small mammals and upturn acres of farmland overnight. They also spread disease.