Depredation
Cases of feral hog depredation on crops, livestock and wildlife occur and damage can be extensive. Seasonal eports of nearly $40,000 in peanut crop damage have been attributed to feral hogs. Feral hogs have also been known to root along freshly planted corn rows eating the corn seed. In other cases, seedling corn was affected in a similar manner. Hog damage has also been reported in other crops including milo, pecans, rice, wheat, hay and turf. The most extensive damage often occurs when the crop is nearly mature. Farmers are probably the hardest hit and have the most negative opinions of feral hogs, especially those whose property adjoins riparian areas or other properties with a population of feral hogs. Ranchers seem to have mixed opinions of feral hogs depending on the damage incurred and whether or not they have lease hunting operations.

Damage to this corn field was estimated to be in the thousands of dollars and was only one of several damaged corn fields in the area. Financial impacts to farmers growing corn and other crops can be extensive.

Feral hogs, being omnivorous, can become predatory when the opportunity presents itself. Calves, kids, lambs, fawns and ground nesting birds have been known to become prey of feral hogs. Hogs generally prey upon the young, especially kids and lambs, but will kill adult animals that are weakened or injured. When livestock depredation occurs, the hog is usually the last to be blamed because most people do not think of a hog as a predator. Hogs will also thoroughly consume the young prey leaving little, if any evidence of hog predation resulting in the owner thinking his low herd production is due to something else. Feral hogs are also scavengers, probably more so than predators. Thus, when evidence of livestock appears in the scat, it is difficult to determine whether the hog actually killed the livestock or feasted on an already dead carcass since there is no carcass to examine. There have been documented accounts of hog depredation on quail and turkey nests, but there has not been any evidence indicating negative effects on these birds' populations. Some results indicate a higher incidence of nest damage in bottomlands due to the feral hog's preference for this habitat type.

Many people experiencing problems with hog damage are very eager to get rid of the feral hog completely. Their feelings are understandable, however, it is not likely to happen. Feral hogs are very prolific reproducers, adaptable and down right tenacious when it comes to survival. The most effective time to control feral hogs is when they first appear in an area. Once feral hogs are abundant in an area, landowners may have to accept the fact that the hog is probably a permanent guest. Although total and permanent eradication is not likely, there are several control measures that can be used with some success depending on the area and problem. These include trapping and hunting, however, fencing has been used with some success.