The last thing any property owner wants to pay for is damage caused by feral hogs. An increasing menace to urban societies, feral hogs destroy lawns, parks and even golf courses, and they are life-threatening hazards to Texas drivers. That damage, coupled with the extensive destruction to crops, fencing and other property, costs urban and rural Texans an estimated $400 million in damages each year.

Decreasing feral hog numbers in Texas is critical to the well-being of much more than just property. These wild hogs also prey on pets, livestock and wildlife, pollute water sources and pose a threat to humans through disease and vehicular collisions.

In Texas, the rapidly reproducing feral hog population is estimated at 2 million. To mobilize a coordinated and concentrated statewide effort to combat the feral hog problem, the Texas Department of Agriculture created "Hog Out Month - Get the Hog Outta Texas!" Through this effort, TDA has challenged all 254 Texas counties to help reduce the number of feral hogs wreaking havoc across the state.

Counties will be scored on the following criteria: the most hogs removed; the highest number of participants at TDA-approved education opportunities about feral hog abatement; and the highest number of acres made available to trappers for hog removal. The three highest scoring counties will be awarded $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 for hog management.

It's time for Texans in all 254 counties to band together and reclaim our land by declaring war on feral hogs. For additional information on "Hog Out Month - Get the Hog Outta Texas!" visit TDA's website at texasagriculture.gov. For tips and services available to control feral hogs, please contact your local Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent.