Wild pigs are established throughout Florida and occur in all 67 counties. They can damage crops, pastures, lawns, wetlands and other property through rooting, feeding and wallowing. Florida allows broad control of wild hogs on private property with landowner permission, but rules differ on public lands, and additional requirements apply to transporting or holding live animals. This page brings together the agencies, regulations, reporting resources and management information Florida landowners and professionals need in one place.
Current Status & Distribution
Wild pigs are established across Florida and occur in all 67 counties. They use a wide range of habitats, including oak-cabbage palm hammocks, freshwater marshes and sloughs, pine flatwoods and agricultural areas. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission classifies wild hogs as a nonnative invasive species, and their broad distribution means damage and control needs can occur statewide.
Who Regulates Wild Pigs?
Florida’s wild-pig rules are divided mainly between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). FWC regulates hunting and trapping on public lands and provides guidance for wild-hog control on private property. FDACS regulates the transportation and holding of live feral swine and requires permits or registration for certain activities involving live animals.
Hunting & Shooting Rules
On private property in Florida, wild hogs may be hunted or shot year-round with landowner permission. A hunting license is not required, there are no size or bag limits, and either sex may be taken. With landowner permission, wild hogs may also be taken at night with a gun and light without a special gun-and-light permit. On wildlife management areas and other public hunting lands, however, area-specific seasons, permits and methods apply, so hunters should check the regulations for the particular property before hunting.
Trapping Regulations
On private property in Florida, wild hogs may be trapped year-round with landowner permission, and common live traps include box traps, cage traps and corral traps. Trapped hogs may not be released on public land and may only be released on private property with the landowner’s permission. If live feral swine are going to be moved from the trapping location, Florida requires the trapper to register with FDACS as a Feral Swine Dealer, and captured animals must be taken to an approved feral-swine holding facility or a recognized slaughter establishment.
Transport & Possession
Florida tightly regulates the movement and holding of live feral swine. Anyone who traps feral swine and moves them alive from the trapping location must register with FDACS as a Feral Swine Dealer and carry the issued identification card while transporting animals. Captured feral swine may be moved only to an approved feral-swine holding facility or a recognized slaughter establishment. Florida also prohibits the importation of feral swine into the state.
Bait & Toxicant Rules
Florida allows broad control of wild hogs on private property with landowner permission, but poisoning wild hogs is prohibited. Bait may be used as part of lawful trapping or hunting practices where otherwise permitted, but public lands may have area-specific restrictions. Any pesticide or toxicant product would also have to comply with federal registration and labeling requirements as well as Florida law. Because FWC expressly prohibits poisoning wild hogs, landowners should verify current rules before using any bait product intended to kill rather than simply attract pigs.
Report Wild Pigs / Get Assistance
Florida landowners can report nonnative wildlife sightings through FWC’s reporting system, and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services provides technical assistance for wildlife-damage problems, including feral swine. FWC also maintains regional offices and lists private nuisance-wildlife trappers for property owners seeking removal assistance. For suspected wildlife-law violations, FWC operates its Wildlife Alert reporting program.
Official Sources
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — Wild Hog
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — Wild Hog Species Profile
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — Feral Swine Dealer Application
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — Report Nonnative Species