Wild Boars And The Threat To Oregon’s Environment

They’re smart, highly adaptable, breed like crazy and very destructive. No wonder that Oregon wildlife officials are worried about the state’s small, but growing population of wild boars.

Courtesy: ODFW

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department (ODFW) estimates there are about 2,000 boars in 19 counties around the state. The biggest concentrations live in Central and Southwest counties. But without controls, they could easily live just about anywhere in Oregon, posing a threat to wildlife and agriculture.

Here’s one fact about wild boars that really caught our attention. They reproduce so quickly that 70% of them have to be hunted or trapped just to keep the numbers level. Rick Boatner, ODFW Invasive Species Coordinator, says in a good year hunters only get about 40-60% of them.

So why is ODFW trying to limit wild boar hunts? It’s introduced HB 2221 which makes it a crime to buy or sell private hunts of wild boars. Boatner says the organizers of these hunts are often part of the problem. He says many of them import wild boars from out of state and release them into Oregon, helping increase their numbers. They do that to make sure their customers have an ample supply of pigs to shoot at.

There are powerful economic incentives at work. Hunters will pay hundreds of dollars for wild boar hunts. We found a ranch near Ashwood that was advertising two-day pig hunts for $600. Even if hunt organizers try to contain the boars so they don’t get into the wild, Boatner says the swines are notorious escape artists and will probably figure a way out.

Courtesy: ODFW

Boars are a threat to Oregon’s environment and agriculture for several reasons.

Their foraging habits are destructive. By digging for roots, bulbs, tubers and insects, the boars tear up the soil. That makes it easier for invasive plants to find a foothold. They like to live near streams and rivers. The digging increases soil erosion and harms water quality for fish and other aquatic species.

Boars also eat the edible parts of Oak trees, making them competitors to bears, deer and turkeys. Wildlife officials worry they could wipe Oregon’s already threatened White Oak savannahs.

If there’s not enough plants around, boars will go after bird eggs, small mammals, and even deer fawns. They’ve been known to prey on young livestock such as lambs and kid goats.

If the wild boars become established in the Willamette Valley, ODFW says they’d be a threat to the area’s seed crop, nurseries and berry farms.

HB 2221 has its first hearing before the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities Committee on Tuesday, March 31st at 8am.

In the meantime, ODFW hopes that anyone who spots wild boars or damage done by them to the Oregon Invasive Species Council. The phone number is 1-866-INVADER (1-866-468-2337).

You can also submit information online:

Oregon Invasive Species Hotline