PONTOTOC -- Farmers and landowners know that wild hogs are not just nuisances; they are disease-carrying, destructive, invasive thieves that cannot be ignored.

Mississippi State University Extension Service is sponsoring a seminar in Pontotoc to educate the public on the need to manage the exploding population of wild hogs. The workshop will take place from 8:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Pontotoc County Extension Office, located at 402 C.J. Hardin Jr. Dr.

Bronson Strickland, associate Extension professor in the MSU Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture, said anyone with wild hogs in their area will benefit from this workshop.

“Participants will get some hands-on experience on managing this invasive pest,” he said. “MSU has created several products like publications, websites and videos that should help with educational efforts, but these don’t replace the one-on-one instruction available at this workshop, especially when learning how to construct traps.”

The sessions will cover foundations of wildlife damage management; wild hog history, biology and ecology; feral swine diseases, parasites and potential health implications to humans and livestock; wild hog trapping techniques, trap designs and removal methods; and laws governing animal removal.

The $20 registration fee is due at the Pontotoc County Extension Office by Dec. 2 and will cover lunch and materials.

Extension agents, registered foresters, loggers and wildlife biologists can receive in-service or professional credit hours for the workshop.

For more information on the workshop or wild hog issues, contact the local Extension office.