Hog hunting season

Big Thicket Superintendent Wayne Prokopetz announced that the preserve will begin issuing this season’s free feral hog trapping permits on Monday Feb. 7, at the nature preserve’s visitor center, 6102 FM 420 in Kountze.

“Hog management is an ongoing priority for the preserve and Southeast Texas in general,” Prokopetz said. “We are encouraged by the success of last couple year’s hog trapping season and look forward to providing more opportunity to harvest hogs from the preserve this season.”

Feral hogs are an invasive species descended from domesticated pigs brought to North America by European settlers. Their populations have increased in recent decades, resulting in greater competition with native wildlife and increased habitat damage caused by their feeding activities, Prokopetz warns. Since the inaugural 2019 season, there have been over 400 hogs removed through the trapping permit process.

Permits will be issued first-come, first-served and can be picked up in person at the Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Before arriving at the visitor center, those interested are highly encouraged to review the Big Thicket feral hog trapping regulations at Trapping - Big Thicket National Preserve found online at nps.gov and scout out several trap locations to be approved upon receiving a permit. 

The recreational pursuits of hunting, fishing and trapping have been a part of the preserve since the beginning. In the fall of each year Big Thicket National Preserve permits public hunting of whitetail deer, squirrel, rabbit and other game species. More information about public hunting and furbearer trapping programs can be found on the preserve website at www.nps.gov/bith or call the preserve visitor center at (409) 951-6700.