Feral Swine Protection Reinstated

HARRISBURG –Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that he was reinstating protection on feral swine in Bradford, Bedford, Fulton, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties in an effort to facilitate trapping by individuals permitted by the agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Under the executive order, issued in May of 2008, protection remains lifted on feral swine in the remaining 64 counties.

“Trapping is the most effective way to remove feral swine from the wild, because it limits their dispersal into new areas,” Roe said. “If funding is not available for trapping, we may consider lifting protection in these counties as well.

“The Game Commission has determined that the eradication of feral swine from Pennsylvania is necessary to prevent further harm to public and private property, threats to native wildlife and disease risks for wildlife and the state’s pork industry. We are not seeking to establish a hunting season, but we are committed to rid Pennsylvania of this invasive species.”

Roe noted that the Game Commission has launched a “Feral Swine” section on its website, and includes links to the executive order and a map delineating the counties in which feral swine may be taken incidental to other hunting seasons.