Beginning tomorrow, state law will allow for year around nighttime hunting of feral hogs on private property. Jonesboro Republican Jack McFarland authored the measure and hopes the move helps reduce the hog population after the problematic swine began to adapt to previous regulations.
“These things have learned and they have become nocturnal, especially the feral hogs, so this was something I did for not just one of my constituents but a group of them,” said McFarland.
A hunter would need a basic hunting license and as well as permission from the landowner. McFarland says the bill would also extend to other damaging species such as armadillos, nutria, beavers, and coyotes.
“Its another challenge. You have people out jogging and bicycling and now you are hearing about these coyotes getting after them, so we are living in some strange times,” said McFarland.
Hunters would be required to contact the parish sheriff’s office within 24 hours prior to the attempted nighttime take. McFarland says feral hogs will eat anything and have negative impacts on farmland as well as other wildlife, but adds this measure may help reduce auto insurance rates.
“You are seeing them venture out onto the highways. You’ll see them on the side of the interstate. They are causing a lot of accidents, damaging cars, another one of those things driving up car insurance,” said McFarland.
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