Wild boar sightings in Ontario have risen in recent years despite the animals’ tendency to travel at dawn, dusk and night. Some of these sightings have been made near Ottawa and Kingston. Diane Saxe, Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, has said that feral boars are heading north from the United States into eastern Ontario. There have also been reports of wild boars that escaped from Ontario-based farms.
In the early 1900s, wild boars were introduced in many eastern U.S. states for hunting. Some of these boars bred with escaped farmed swine, adding combined genetics to the present day population of feral hogs in the area.
By wallowing in and rooting around in forests and wetlands, these invasive hogs in Ontario can make damaging pigsties of local ecosystems. This behaviour can disturb habitats important to native species, many of which are already stressed by habitat fragmentation.
Feral hogs can also carry diseases, such as E. coli, giardia, rabies, foot-and-mouth disease, salmonella, anthrax and encephalomycarditis, that are harmful to humans, wildlife and livestock. They can also damage farmed crops.
If you have a feral hog sighting, please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry at 1-800-667-1940 and ask to be connected to the related district office.
Noah Cole is Ontario Nature’s communications technician and a regular contributor to Ontario Nature's blog and ON Nature magazine. Noah is an accomplished naturalist with a passion for protecting the great outdoors and a nature photographer. Noah is the author of Ontario Wildlife Photography (canadianimages.net).
Thanks for helping me understand that hogs can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans, wildlife, and livestock. I guess I need to look for hog control services since we have been seeing two of these animals around our property. Yesterday, one of them even entered our backyard, so it might be concerning for me and my kids. https://carolinahogstopper.com/hog-trapping-wadesboro
April 2021 the Ministry is actively searching for any sightings of Wild Pigs and have added them to the invasive species list. They are quite concerned and are asking for help.
“…the OFAH (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) has started taking reports of wild pigs on its invasive species hotline in the last month, and introduced a wild pig protocol this spring to help people identify, track and report wild pigs to the proper authorities.”
Ontario Ups the battle against Wild Pigs to keep the Province from going to the hogs.
CBC News London,
April 9, 2021
They will go so far as to lend out trail cams, so to their credit they are being proactive.
Previously, someone commented that there was a dead hog sighted in a Quetico lake. This isn’t impossible especially given that the prairie provinces do have hog issues as well, but whenever I ask the park superintendent he says no hogs have been yet sighted. Though, sadly, if it was not a hog or moose that was seen – maybe it was a bear? Under conditions one could look like the other. Certainly Ontario doesn’t want any feral hog problems.
I saw a dead hog floating in Saganagons – Quetico Provincial Park and reported it to the ranger station. I was told no pigs exist in the park and must have mistaken it for a dead moose. Coming from Texas, I’m pretty certain I know a pig/boar when I see one.
Maybe it was a moose – though it sounds like you’re actually familiar with feral hog sightings, it is an important observation to take account of. That sounds like an undesirable circumstance, certainly no one would want the feral pigs in the park nor those floaters either.
The Feral Hog in Texas by Rick Taylor is an informative booklet describing the feral hog and control practices.
In Texas, Feral hogs are unprotected, exotic, non-game animals. Therefore, they may be taken by any means or methods at any time of year. There are no seasons or bag limits, however a hunting license and landowner permission are required to hunt them.
The feral hog has managed to survive, adapt, and increase their numbers despite attempts at population control. While it is possible to keep the population in check with continuous control, it is highly unlikely to eradicate a hog population within an established range. https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/nuisance/feral_hogs/#methods
They will become a huge problem as long as the government is involved. Just like the Canadian geese and Cormorants. Completely out of control and government sits on the problem.
April 11th, 2019
Just seen 2 wild hogs last night at dusk time in Chute A Blondeau which is 7-8 miles east from Hawkesbury. The were crossing the Provincial park road. First time I ever saw a wild hogs in these here parts and I’m 70 years old now. Will call the number 1-800-667-1940 to report the sighting. I had seen them on tv but never in person and certainly not around the area where I live. I must say I rather enjoyed the sighting although when they initially came out of the woods one at a time I first thought they were wolves but as I got nearer I realize they were wild hogs.
I know that in Sweden wild boars is a real problem, at least in some areas.
I do not know how they approach the problem there, but i do not believe that open season year round is a good way to handle it.
It’s been made illegal to hunt, possess or transport the wild boars in New York State. This is because it had been found that, in Tennessee, if hunting was allowed, it was an inefficient way to control the population. Hunting disburses the boars and they multiply very quickly. Also people then get boars and release them in certain areas to get income from the sport of hunting. I hope Canada will take a page from New York’s policy before it’s too late. http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/70843.html
Thats a crock of shit everyone knows hunting keeps population under control whether it’s deer ,bear or wild hogs , you just said they multiply at an astounding ratel so left unchecked they would be rampant everwhere.
“Hunting or Trapping of Eurasian Boars is Prohibited
Hunting or trapping of Eurasian boars is now illegal in New York State. A new regulation was adopted on April 23, 2014 that prohibits the hunting or trapping of free-ranging Eurasian boar statewide. The regulation provides exceptions for law enforcement officers, farmers, and landowners who are authorized by DEC to take Eurasian boar to alleviate nuisance, property damage, or threats to public health or welfare. This regulation is necessary to ensure maximum effectiveness of DEC’s statewide eradication efforts.”
Thanks for helping me understand that hogs can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans, wildlife, and livestock. I guess I need to look for hog control services since we have been seeing two of these animals around our property. Yesterday, one of them even entered our backyard, so it might be concerning for me and my kids. https://carolinahogstopper.com/hog-trapping-wadesboro
April 2021 the Ministry is actively searching for any sightings of Wild Pigs and have added them to the invasive species list. They are quite concerned and are asking for help.
“…the OFAH (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) has started taking reports of wild pigs on its invasive species hotline in the last month, and introduced a wild pig protocol this spring to help people identify, track and report wild pigs to the proper authorities.”
Ontario Ups the battle against Wild Pigs to keep the Province from going to the hogs.
CBC News London,
April 9, 2021
They will go so far as to lend out trail cams, so to their credit they are being proactive.
Previously, someone commented that there was a dead hog sighted in a Quetico lake. This isn’t impossible especially given that the prairie provinces do have hog issues as well, but whenever I ask the park superintendent he says no hogs have been yet sighted. Though, sadly, if it was not a hog or moose that was seen – maybe it was a bear? Under conditions one could look like the other. Certainly Ontario doesn’t want any feral hog problems.
I saw a dead hog floating in Saganagons – Quetico Provincial Park and reported it to the ranger station. I was told no pigs exist in the park and must have mistaken it for a dead moose. Coming from Texas, I’m pretty certain I know a pig/boar when I see one.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for reporting that sighting.
Maybe it was a moose – though it sounds like you’re actually familiar with feral hog sightings, it is an important observation to take account of. That sounds like an undesirable circumstance, certainly no one would want the feral pigs in the park nor those floaters either.
ON Noah
The Feral Hog in Texas by Rick Taylor is an informative booklet describing the feral hog and control practices.
In Texas, Feral hogs are unprotected, exotic, non-game animals. Therefore, they may be taken by any means or methods at any time of year. There are no seasons or bag limits, however a hunting license and landowner permission are required to hunt them.
The feral hog has managed to survive, adapt, and increase their numbers despite attempts at population control. While it is possible to keep the population in check with continuous control, it is highly unlikely to eradicate a hog population within an established range.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/nuisance/feral_hogs/#methods
You need a licence in ON if you hunt them.
When these hogs get into the corn fields in S. Ontario we’ll see a whole different attitude towards hunting in s. Ontario.
Are there feral pigs in gray county at present? Is it lawful to hunt them if they are on your farmland? What licence is required?
Hello Robert,
It is possible that there are wild hogs in Grey County. Two sites that host wild hog maps show that sightings have been reported in the area.
It is best to contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry at 1-800-667-1940 to discuss sightings and hunting regulations.
ON Noah
They will become a huge problem as long as the government is involved. Just like the Canadian geese and Cormorants. Completely out of control and government sits on the problem.
April 11th, 2019
Just seen 2 wild hogs last night at dusk time in Chute A Blondeau which is 7-8 miles east from Hawkesbury. The were crossing the Provincial park road. First time I ever saw a wild hogs in these here parts and I’m 70 years old now. Will call the number 1-800-667-1940 to report the sighting. I had seen them on tv but never in person and certainly not around the area where I live. I must say I rather enjoyed the sighting although when they initially came out of the woods one at a time I first thought they were wolves but as I got nearer I realize they were wild hogs.
All these invasive species should be eliminated before the population gets too big to control, like it is in the U.S.
I know that in Sweden wild boars is a real problem, at least in some areas.
I do not know how they approach the problem there, but i do not believe that open season year round is a good way to handle it.
It’s been made illegal to hunt, possess or transport the wild boars in New York State. This is because it had been found that, in Tennessee, if hunting was allowed, it was an inefficient way to control the population. Hunting disburses the boars and they multiply very quickly. Also people then get boars and release them in certain areas to get income from the sport of hunting. I hope Canada will take a page from New York’s policy before it’s too late. http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/70843.html
Sure just leave them alone, they won’t multiply!
Thats a crock of shit everyone knows hunting keeps population under control whether it’s deer ,bear or wild hogs , you just said they multiply at an astounding ratel so left unchecked they would be rampant everwhere.
Actually it is allowed…need to read it all:
“Hunting or Trapping of Eurasian Boars is Prohibited
Hunting or trapping of Eurasian boars is now illegal in New York State. A new regulation was adopted on April 23, 2014 that prohibits the hunting or trapping of free-ranging Eurasian boar statewide. The regulation provides exceptions for law enforcement officers, farmers, and landowners who are authorized by DEC to take Eurasian boar to alleviate nuisance, property damage, or threats to public health or welfare. This regulation is necessary to ensure maximum effectiveness of DEC’s statewide eradication efforts.”
There should be bounty on these, as there once was on coyotes.
How far in Northern Ontario have these been spoted?
I’ve heard of a few in Almaguin (East Parry Sound) south of North Bay.
you may and no license needed just need to tell local MNRF office where and when you shot it
Thanks for the reply. You do need a small game license, but do not need a tag and there is no season (open season all the time).
Can these be hunted in Ontario? What license is needed?