Wild Boar in Ohio

The Division of Wildlife only documents the counties and townships where feral swine have been observed but more specific locations are not recorded.  Publicly-owned areas (e.g. wildlife areas or state forests) offer limited opportunity for hunting free-ranging wild boars.  Hunters interested in pursuing wild boars should start by talking to local folks (agricultural supply stores, check stations, local diners, and area farmers) and then do some scouting in the county you plan to hunt.  Wild boars have been reported in southeastern Ohio counties of Athens, Belmont, Gallia, Guernsey, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Ross, Scioto, Vinton, and Washington; southwestern Ohio counties of Adams, Brown, Butler, Darke, Preble, and Shelby; central Ohio counties of Auglaize, Champaign, Fayette, Logan, Mercer, and Pickaway; and northwestern counties of Defiance and Williams (see map).  The Division of Wildlife does not maintain a list of landowners with reported wild boars on their property.  Always obtain permission from the landowner before hunting on private property.

Ohio’s hunters are encouraged to harvest any feral swine they encounter in the wild in order to limit the spread of this destructive wild animal species in the state.  Wild boars feed most heavily at dawn and dusk, spending their days resting in dense vegetation or wallowing in mud holes. These nuisance animals may be legally harvested year-round by hunters with a valid Ohio hunting license or by landowners on their own property.  During the deer gun and the statewide muzzleloader seasons, a valid Ohio deer permit is also required and hunters should use only the firearm legal for the season.        

Known in Ohio as “wild boars,” they also are also called free-ranging European wild boar, Russian wild boar, wild pigs, wild hogs, or razorbacks.  These “eating machines” damage agricultural crops, degrade wildlife habitat and consume ground-nesting bird eggs, reptiles, amphibians, or just about anything else they come across, say state wildlife biologists. They also carry diseases that can infect domestic livestock, wildlife, and even people. At present, the two most significant diseases wild boars carry are Pseudorabies and swine brucellosis.

With no natural predators and because feral swine can reproduce year-round (1-7 piglets/litter), populations can quickly become established and rapidly expand from the release or escape of just one pregnant female. In Ohio, wild boars brought into the State for hunting have escaped from confinement and unwanted animals may have been intentionally released into the wild.  The rangy-looking, non-native members of the domestic swine family are increasing their distribution in Ohio.

Wild boar meat is reportedly excellent to eat. As with any game, proper field dressing and thorough cooking are always recommended. Experts recommend cooking all types of meat to 155-165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill disease organisms and parasites.

Feral pig sightings can also be reported by e-mail (wildinfo@dnr.state.oh.us).
 

Swine Brucellosis and Pseudorabies