WEST PLAINS, Mo. — The Mark Twain National Forest will not allow feral hog hunting on the park property, with some exceptions.
Gerry Elam has more:
| The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service says the Mark Twain National Forest will be closed to feral swine hunting.
Based on information received during a 60-day public comment period, the Forest Service closure order will include an exception to allow any licensed deer or turkey hunter possessing a valid state deer or turkey hunting permit, who is hunting deer or turkey in compliance with the permit, the opportunity to kill feral swine. The forest order aligns the Mark Twain National Forest 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 and Missouri Department of Conservation, according to park officials. Members of the public were invited to participate in the public involvement period by submitting written comments and attending two open houses. The Forest Service received and reviewed over 1,200 comments during the 60-day comment period to determine if the proposal should be implemented as presented, implemented with modifications suggested by public comments, or not implemented at all. 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. Feral swine also destroy natural resources such as springs and compete with native wildlife. |
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