The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be conducting aerial feral hog control utilizing helicopters on Pearl River WMA in the marsh south of Hwy. 90 (St. Tammany Parish) and on Sherburne WMA in the main body of the WMA as well as the North and South Farms (Iberville and Pointe Coupee Parishes) during the week of March 10.
The department is alerting the WMA users including nutria hunters, fishermen, birdwatchers and hikers that helicopter flyovers and associated gunfire may be agency personnel conducting feral hog population control.
The purpose of the aerial population control with firearms is to reduce the feral hog numbers on both WMAs and subsequently reduce the habitat destruction. Damage to wildlife management areas and private property in recent years has increased as the feral hog population in Louisiana has increased.
Hog harvest by hunters on WMAs during hunting seasons has not been successful in keeping hog populations under control. The March timeframe was chosen since fall/winter hunting seasons will have concluded and turkey season will not have begun yet on Sherburne or Pearl River WMA. Additionally, the marsh grass and trees will not have spring foliage, enabling helicopter crews to spot hogs.
LDWF personnel will be stationed at select WMA parking areas on the weekdays helicopters will be over each WMA to alert the public of the ongoing hog control activities.
For more information: contact Jim LaCour at 225-765-0823 or jlacour@wlf.la.gov; or Bo Boehringer at 225-765-5115 or bboehringer@wlf.la.gov .