Wild hogs are running rampant in Tennessee. It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but this is a serious matter, as feral hogs cause a multitude of problems when their population gets out of control.

Their habit of “rooting,” involves digging their snouts into the ground from 2 to 8 inches in search of food. This can damage acres of crops very quickly. They eat the crops too, as their omnivorous nature allows them to eat just about anything that crosses their paths and their gluttonous nature ensures they will. 

Their rapid rate of reproduction is a serious concern as well. Females begin breeding as early as six months old, and often have one or two litters of four to ten babies every year. This means that the population often doubles every four months.  This is a growing problem in various parts of the United States but is particularly troublesome in Tennessee, where they have spread from the mountains down into Sumner and Williamson counties.

Federal wildlife officials are going to start another airborne eradication effort, shooting the hogs from helicopters. They launched similar efforts in 2004 and 2009.