Texas officials want to reduce the wild hog population in the state, and they are asking for help.

Country Extension Agent Ralph S. Davis of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service asked Cedar Creek Lake area residents in a memo to Henderson and Kaufman County officials to help by providing information about wild hogs.

“If you kill, trap or otherwise remove any feral hogs from the dates of Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, I would like to know about it,” Davis said in the memo. “Pictures would be better, with the date, number and address of where the hogs were taken.”

Cedar Creek Lake area residents living on agricultural land have reported seeing large numbers of wild hogs and extensive damage indicating their presence at night in pastures. Many of the hogs are considered to be large and dangerous, according to state officials.

TDA is encouraging counties across the state to make a “concentrated and coordinated” effort to control the wild hog population. The highest ranking counties will receive grants to help educate landowners about abatement methods that include aerial gunning and public safety.

A mature feral hog can reach a shoulder height of 36 inches and weigh up to 400 pounds, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Feral hogs are more muscular than domestic hogs and have little fat. They compete with livestock for food, and rooting and trampling by them cause damage to agricultural crops and fields. They eat both plants and small animals, posing a danger to livestock like goats and other young animals.

Applications will be evaluated based on the number of feral hogs in the county based on the reports, the number of individuals participating in approved educational courses about the hogs, the types of abatement technologies used and a written plan for future abatement activities.

For additional information or to report feral hog abatement, Davis can be reached at (972) 932-9069 or [email protected].