PGC Tables Changes to Feral Swine Regs

Legislation signed into law on Monday prompted a vote today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners to put on hold any changes to regulations for feral swine and wild boars.

The commissioners at their January meeting proposed regulatory changes for feral swine and wild boars, which do not occur naturally in Pennsylvania, but sometimes escape to the wild from fenced hunting preserves. The action was based on the conclusion that escaped and feral swine are destructive to native wildlife species and their habitats, and pose health risks and other threats.

The animals are prolific breeders and can quickly establish wild populations once escaped.

The proposed rulemaking, which was tabled today by a unanimous vote of the commissioners, included the statewide removal of protection for feral swine and wild boars. It also called for a ban on the importation of wild boars and feral swine, then, a year later, for making it illegal to possess the animals.

The commissioners indicated they would take more time reviewing the issue, considering that Gov. Tom Corbett on Monday signed into law state Senate Bill No. 644, which amends the definition of “wild animals” to remove any species of swine held in captivity. The change in definition placed the authority solely with the state Department of Agriculture to manage captive Pennsylvania swine.

The Game Commission continues to hold authority for feral swine that escape to the wild.

Meanwhile, an executive order remains in place that allows hunters statewide to take any feral swine and wild boar they might encounter in the wild.

Feral swine can be taken with any lawful firearm, bow, crossbow, or by trapping. All takings of feral swine and wild boars must be reported to the local Game Commission Region Office within 24 hours of the kill. The carcasses of all feral swine and wild boars taken must made available to the commission for disease sampling.

Game Commission photo

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