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Feral Hog Management Plan and Environmental Assessment
Big Thicket National Preserve » Feral Hog Management Plan and Environmental Assessment » Document List
Feral hogs were introduced into the Big Thicket Region by the early settlers to the area. What was once a few hogs that were used as free-range livestock have since multiplied and become a severe threat to native species and habitats throughout much of Texas, including Big Thicket National Preserve.
Current management of this non-native species is accomplished primarily by the Preserve's public hunting program during the fall and winter each year. Recent studies by Texas A&M University researchers indicate that even with the current number of feral hogs harvested by hunters, their population levels are increasing steadily. Feral hogs have rooted up large areas of vegetation and soil in many areas within the Preserve. This rooting poses a threat to many native plant and animal species, as well as posing potential harm to the integrity of subsurface cultural resources artifacts. Hog damage poses a direct obstacle to the Preserve's goals associated with federally listed species recovery and other natural resource management, such as wetland management and long-leaf pine restoration.
The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a Feral Hog Management Plan/Environmental Assessment (EA) for Big Thicket National Preserve. The plan will describe how feral hog populations will be managed to prevent or mitigate impacts on park resources and values. The EA, prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, will provide the decision-making framework that identifies significant issues and concerns facing park management, a presentation and analysis of a reasonable range of management alternatives and their effects, and a strategy to determine long-term management of feral hog populations at Big Thicket National Preserve.
6044 FM 420
Kountze, Texas 77625
(409) 951-6822
stephanie_m_burgess@nps.gov
Current management of this non-native species is accomplished primarily by the Preserve's public hunting program during the fall and winter each year. Recent studies by Texas A&M University researchers indicate that even with the current number of feral hogs harvested by hunters, their population levels are increasing steadily. Feral hogs have rooted up large areas of vegetation and soil in many areas within the Preserve. This rooting poses a threat to many native plant and animal species, as well as posing potential harm to the integrity of subsurface cultural resources artifacts. Hog damage poses a direct obstacle to the Preserve's goals associated with federally listed species recovery and other natural resource management, such as wetland management and long-leaf pine restoration.
The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a Feral Hog Management Plan/Environmental Assessment (EA) for Big Thicket National Preserve. The plan will describe how feral hog populations will be managed to prevent or mitigate impacts on park resources and values. The EA, prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, will provide the decision-making framework that identifies significant issues and concerns facing park management, a presentation and analysis of a reasonable range of management alternatives and their effects, and a strategy to determine long-term management of feral hog populations at Big Thicket National Preserve.
Contact Information
Stephanie Burgess6044 FM 420
Kountze, Texas 77625
(409) 951-6822
stephanie_m_burgess@nps.gov