In response to years of feral hogs causing extensive damage to property and agriculture in rural Oklahoma, Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, has introduced SB478, known as the Free to Hunt Feral
Hogs bill. The proposed legislation aims to eliminate the need for permits to hunt feral hogs, allowing Oklahomans to protect their land, crops and livestock more freely.
“Feral hogs are much more than just a nuisance. They are a threat to Oklahoma’s farms, ranches and livelihoods,” Deevers said. “It is preposterous that Oklahomans need to obtain multiple permits from multiple agencies to protect their own property from substantial damage. No one should have to navigate permit processes and bureaucratic red tape in multiple agencies just to protect what is rightfully theirs.”
Feral hogs damage is an estimated $1.5 billion annually in the United States, including $30 million to $50 million in Oklahoma. The bill was introduced February 3 in the Oklahoma legislative session and had a first reading.
“These invasive animals wreak havoc on crops, devastate ecosystems that support quail and turkeys, destroy fencing and contaminate waterways, imposing significant financial burdens on farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” Deevers said. “They degrade water quality, cause soil erosion and outcompete native wildlife for food and habitat. This combination of property damage, agricultural destruction, economic strain and ecological damage underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to manage feral hog populations and protect Oklahoma’s agricultural and environmental heritage.”
Depending on the situation, licenses or permits are required to hunt or control feral hogs in Oklahoma. Deevers’ bill would repeal the requirements from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, an agricultural exemption from the Oklahoma Tax Commission, a permit for hunting feral hogs at night, or a special license for hunting feral hogs during the primitive firearm deer hunting season.
“This is a common-sense solution to a serious problem,” Deevers said. “By passing this bill, we are not only protecting Oklahoma’s agricultural heritage but also sending a clear message that we trust our citizens to manage their own land."
