Владельцы земель в Арканзасе получат компенсацию за отлов диких кабанов

Arkansas landowners can get reimbursed for trapping feral hogs LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KY3) - Around 85% of the land in Arkansas is privately owned, and that means protecting that land is up to individual landowners. “When you look at that, that acreage really starts to add up,” said Trey Reid with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “We’re talking 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 acres. 100 acres here, 500 acres there, 1,000 acres here, pretty soon, you’re talking about a pretty good chunk of land that we’re doing, with the help of landowners, some really good conservation work on.” The Conservation Incentive Program from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission started in 2024 to help those landowners make positive change for the ecosystem. Some of the past programs included funding for prescribed burns and forest thinning, but this time around, feral hog control is the main goal. Feral hog trapping has been a focus of the program in the past, and it was one of the most popular options. The invasive species is a problem all across the South. They can ruin farmland, and in Arkansas, they cause around $19 million in damages each year. “They’re going to improve their property by eliminating feral hogs,” said Reid, “which do an immense amount of damage, but they’re also, again, if we start to make a difference on 100 acres here, 500 acres there, we can put a dent hopefully in feral hog populations.” There was less funding available for this round of reimbursements, but AGFC made sure hogs made it onto the list. People owning 100 acres of land can apply for certain types of approved hog traps and be reimbursed for 75% of their cost up to $20,000. Landowners might not see the difference they are making right away, but it’s one piece in a much bigger puzzle. “Conservation is a long game,” Reid said. “We’re doing things now that the true benefits might not be realized for 25, 30, 50, 100 years in some cases. We can go back and look at where we’ve funded prescribed burns and implemented fire breaks so landowners can do prescribed burns. That’s almost immediate.” $5 million in set-aside funding from the governor’s office means that programs like the prescribed burning will come back next year. Applications for this round of funding are open until September 11 at 4:30 p.m. You can also fill out an interest form for the 2027 program, including things like native grassland preservation, prescribed burns, and more. Both of those forms can be found by clicking here. To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email. Copyright 2026 KY3. All rights reserved.