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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2016
Governor Mary Fallin Issues Executive Order Addressing Oklahoma's Feral Hog Problem
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin
today issued an executive order directing the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation (ODWC) to streamline the issuance of permits to exterminate feral
hogs on private land.
She said her order will allow safe
and responsible feral hog eradication in Oklahoma.
The governor also vetoed a measure
that would have allowed the eradication of feral hogs on public land with
spotlights at night without game warden notification or a hunting license,
citing potential safety issues.
Fallin said Senate Bill 1142
contained several provisions -- such as eliminating the permitting requirement for
those who want to exclusively shoot feral hogs, authorizing nighttime removal
and allowing the use of certain technology to eradicate feral hogs -- that
would endanger people on public hunting lands.
“We
must be willing to employ every available method of elimination if we want to eradicate
this destructive nuisance,” said Fallin. “While research and experience have
demonstrated that trapping feral swine proves to be the most effective method
of eradication, private property owners should have, at their disposal, every
tool available. As a result, I believe adjustments to current eradication
practices should be made.”
Fallin’s
Executive Order 2016-16 directs the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation to develop rules that include:
·
Authorizing
landowners on private property to remove or attempt to remove feral swine at
night, with the use of night-vision equipment, off-road vehicles to pursue or
follow feral swine, as well as handheld or vehicle-mounted headlights or other
powerful lights to pursue or follow feral swine. At no time, however, will
pursuing feral hogs on public roadways or discharging firearms from a public
roadway be allowed.
·
Requiring
private landowners to agree to provide advance notification to a game warden
assigned to the county in which extermination efforts will occur before each
attempt to remove feral hogs.
·
Explaining
how users may obtain information on feral hog eradication, such as a link to
the agency’s website.
The
rules are to take effect Nov. 1.
There are an estimated 1.6 million
feral hogs in Oklahoma. They are present in every county and are estimated to cause more than $1
billion in damage each year.
“Feral
swine is an invasive species that inflicts significant damage on Oklahoma ranch
and farmland, and can hurt or even kill domestic livestock and other wildlife,”
the governor wrote in her veto message. “Although I support the intent of this bill,
which is to make it easier to remove or attempt to remove feral swine, the bill’s
real-world application to public property like state parks and Wildlife
Management Areas (WMAs) would create an unreasonable public safety threat and a
conservation crisis.
Fallin’s actions were met
with widespread support.
“American Farmers & Ranchers applauds Governor
Fallin for her veto of SB 1142 and subsequent executive actions to responsibly
address the feral hog problem in our state,” said Terry Detrick, president of
American Farmers & Ranchers. “We look forward to working with the Department
of Wildlife Conservation in the development of a process that is beneficial for
Oklahoma landowners.”
Michael Kelsey, executive vice president of the
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, said, “Control of invasive feral swine
will take a long-term, cooperative approach with aggressive and effective
strategies. We appreciate the governor recognizing the challenges of this
issue and issuing an order that offers opportunities to continue working toward
solutions.”
Tony Clark, president of the Oklahoma State Game
Warden Association, said, “We commend Governor Fallin for vetoing this bill and
appreciate her careful consideration and commitment to protecting everyone who
enjoys wildlife now and for future generations.”
Oklahoma
Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese and Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment Michael Teague said the governor’s veto and executive order expand
the options available to the state as it seeks exterminate feral hogs.
“We
will continue to pursue avenues to expand that effort. At the same time, we are
protecting public safety and maintaining the ability to enforce illegal poaching
of deer during gun season,” Reese said.
“While
trapping remains the best way to eradicate this invasive species, the
Governor’s actions today will allow private property owners another tool to
protect Oklahoma's natural resources. I look forward to working with
stakeholders and ODWC to streamline the depredation process,” Teague said.
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Web: www.governor.ok.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GovernorMaryFallin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GovMaryFallin
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