GALVESTON, Texas -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District’s Wallisville Lake Project Office staff is now accepting applications for feral hog removal using trained dogs and trapping. The project will offer 30 permits to individuals using trained dogs through a random drawing. Applications from dog hunters will be accepted during the month of September. A limited number of trapping permits will also be available throughout the year to those interested in trapping feral hogs on project lands.
According to Natural Resource Specialist Mark Tyson who manages the project’s feral hog program “we are in the process of transitioning from a feral hog hunting program to a feral hog management program”. The inclusion of a year round trapping program has been added with hopes of further reducing the impacts of feral hogs on the project’s 23,000 acres. Across the state of Texas, feral hogs are said to cause over $52 million dollars in damage annually to agricultural enterprises alone. Additionally feral hogs impact native wildlife, encourage the spread of invasive plants, impact water quality and aquatic life.
Permitting
Individuals interested in using trained dogs to remove feral hogs on the project are encouraged to submit the appropriate application between September 1st and 30th 2020. In early October the project staff will hold a random drawing to issue the 30 available annual dog hunting permits which are valid through August 31, 2021.
Individuals interested in trapping feral hogs on the project can submit a trapping application at any time during the year. Trapping permits are available on a first come first served basis and may be limited at the staff’s discretion.
Both applications can be found on the project’s website http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Locations/WallisvilleLakeProjectOffice.aspx and should be emailed to huntwallisville@usace.army.mil
During the 2019-2020 feral hog season trained dog hunters removed 328 feral hogs from the property. “We are very proud of our dog hunter’s success and are truly excited about this new endeavor to further reduce the impacts of feral hogs on the project” said Tyson.
Hunters must carry proof of hunter education unless exempted by state law, valid photo identification, and a current hunting at all times. With local, state and federal laws enforced on all Corps-managed lands, it is every hunter's responsibility to know and understand the rules and regulations before hunting.
Check State Regulations
The Wallisville Lake staff advises hunters to check with the Texas Animal Health Commission concerning rules related to the transportation of live feral hogs. Additionally, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department should be consulted concerning state regulations, hunting seasons and bag limits; contact the Wallisville Lake Project Office at (409) 389-2285 or view the USACE regulations at:
http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Locations/WallisvilleLakeProjectOffice.aspx.
About Wallisville Lake Project
Located 40 miles east of downtown Houston at the Trinity River and Interstate 10, the Wallisville Lake Project is designed to primarily prevent the intrusion of saltwater up the Trinity River in order to conserve fresh water and to protect fresh water intakes for local municipalities, including the City of Houston. In addition to protecting the fresh water supply, the project supports navigation of commercial and recreational boats, serves as a water supply, is a favorite recreational destination among Houstonians and supports an array of fish and wildlife habitats.
For more information about the Wallisville Lake Project Office, call (409) 389-2285 or visit the office’s site online at http://www.swg.usace.army.mil/Locations/WallisvilleLakeProjectOffice.aspx