A regional wild pig-trapping workshop will be held Tuesday, July 8, in Ozark to address the wild pig issue that stretches from Texas to Florida and includes a large protein of Southeast Alabama.

When people go hog wild, there is some reason for their joyous, overzealousness.

But there’s nothing joyous about wild hogs. In fact, Grant Lyons, Pike County Extension coordinator, said wild pigs are a big challenge facing landowners today.

“Whether you are ready for them or not, pigs could be coming to a forest, crop field or even your backyard,” Lyons said. “Economically, wild pigs can pose a big problem. They tear up the land by digging holes and building mud holes and they can destroy crops.”

Lyons said wild pigs reproduce quickly so a small problem can quickly turn into a big problem.

“Fortunately there are effective, practical and affordable ways to manage the damage they my cause,” he said. “And, those ways will be discussed at the Wild Pig Trapping Workshop Thursday in Ozark.”

The workshop topics will include wild pig biology and the economic impact of damage in Alabama, identifying signs and determining trap placement, the pros and cons of traps and doors, a corral trap demonstration and processing wild pigs.

“This will be a very educational program for landowners or anyone with an interest in wild pig management and trapping” Lyons said. There will be several demonstrations including the building and setting of traps and the procession of wild pigs.”

Lyons said wild pigs are a good tasting and available meat source. “Hog hunting” is gaining popularity in the Pike County area and there are people who and around Pike County like to put a pig on the spit.

Speakers for the program include Jordan Graves, Regional Extension Agent for Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resources; Chris Jaworowski, Wildlife Biologist with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and Chris Hughes, landowner and avid pig trapper and processor.

The Wild Pig Trapping Workshop will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8 at the Mabson Community Education Forest at 1188 N. CR 20 in Ozark.

There is a $5 fee for the workshop. The fee includes dinner and take-home materials and a copy of “A Landowner’s Guild to Wild Pig Management.”

To register, contact the Pike County Extension Office at 334-566-0985.