Wild pigs are established throughout Mississippi and have been documented in all 82 counties. They are classified as nonnative nuisance animals and cause substantial agricultural, property and wildlife damage across the state. Mississippi State University Extension estimates wild hogs cause more than $66 million in property damage each year, while state law and wildlife regulations provide broad control options on private land but strictly prohibit transporting and releasing live wild hogs. This page brings together Mississippi’s regulations, agency contacts, reporting resources and management guidance in one place.
Current Status & Distribution
Wild pigs are now found in all 82 Mississippi counties. Mississippi State University Extension reports that their range has expanded dramatically from only 23 counties in 1988, and the animals are considered nonnative nuisance wildlife rather than a game species. Their statewide distribution means agricultural land, forests, wildlife habitat and private property can all be affected.
Who Regulates Wild Pigs?
Mississippi’s wild-hog rules involve both the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC). MDWFP classifies wild hogs as nuisance animals and sets the rules for hunting and trapping, while MDAC operates the Wild Hog Control Program, which provides traps, training and technical assistance to qualifying landowners and land managers.
Hunting & Shooting Rules
Mississippi classifies wild hogs as nuisance animals. On private land, they may generally be taken whenever lawful methods are used and the landowner has granted permission, but specific restrictions can apply during certain hunting seasons and to the use of dogs, lights, weapons or other methods. On Wildlife Management Areas, rules are more restrictive: wild hogs may generally be taken only during open WMA hunting seasons, during daylight hours, and with weapons and ammunition legal for that season. Trapping of wild hogs on WMAs is prohibited.
Trapping Regulations
Mississippi allows wild hogs to be trapped on private land, but nuisance-animal regulations still apply. Landowners, leaseholders and their designated agents may trap nuisance animals on private property, and Mississippi’s Wild Hog Control Program requires participating users to follow all MDWFP nuisance-animal rules. Under that program, captured wild hogs must be killed before removal from the trap and may not be removed alive. MDAC also provides smart traps, training and technical guidance to qualifying private agricultural and forestry land managers through its Wild Hog Control Program.
Transport & Possession
Mississippi prohibits transporting live wild hogs on public roads, moving them off the property where they were captured, relocating them elsewhere in the state, importing them into Mississippi or releasing them into the wild. Limited possession is allowed only for slaughter in a secure enclosure on the property of origin, no larger than 500 square feet and constructed to prevent escape. These restrictions are intended to prevent human-assisted spread of wild-hog populations.
Bait & Toxicant Rules
Mississippi allows feed or bait to be used for wild-hog control, but the rules depend on how and where it is used. MDWFP allows feed for taking wild hogs, with special restrictions on grain placed directly on the ground and additional limits inside Chronic Wasting Disease management zones. Wild-hog trapping with feed inside a CWD management zone requires an Animal Control Permit. Mississippi does not allow toxicants or poisons for wild-hog control; MDWFP states that there is currently no lawful toxicant or poison use for controlling wild hogs in the state.
Report Wild Pigs / Get Assistance
Mississippi landowners and land managers can seek assistance through the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Wild Hog Control Program. The program provides smart traps, cellular cameras, training and technical guidance for qualifying private agricultural and forestry lands, and applications are accepted during designated periods. MDAC also maintains regional staff and contact information for landowners who need help with wild-hog control.
Official Sources
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks — Nuisance Species Regulations
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce — Wild Hog Control Program
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce — Wild Hog Control Program FAQ