In 2006, the state of Kansas took an aggressive stance against an invasive species that now occupies nearly every state in the United States and several Canadian provinces.
And, so far, this state is winning.
There are two full-time feral pig officers in the state. Curran Salter, United States Department of Agriculture wildlife biologist, is based out of Hoisington, and Phil Heagy, southeast Kansas. John Johnson with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism assisted in the past.
“In Kansas, we’re in the best shape we’ve been since we started in 2006,” said Salter. “We’ve removed over 3,300 pigs from the state of Kansas.
“I’m doing my job,” he continued. “Our neighbors to the south have lost the war on feral pigs. I’m really proud of what a couple of guys have done. It’s been a lot of hard work.”
Nationwide, Salter said a conservative estimate of agricultural damage is one-and-a-half billion dollars per year. In Kansas, the documented amount is $200,000-$300,000 per year.
“The amounts have dropped dramatically” in Kansas, said Salter. “They are a disaster for farmers and ranchers and do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. There is too much at stake to let these things get out of control.”
He explained that in 2006, Kansas Livestock Commissioner George Tiegarten led the way in the fight against the pigs and that current commissioner, Bill Brown has kept the momentum going.
In two to three generations, domesticated pigs take on feral characteristics. They are extremely intelligent, able to reproduce after 5-6 months of age and produce two litters per year of 4-6 piglets or more.
In addition, they carry pseudorabies and swine brucellosis which can be spread to livestock and the domestic pork industry.
“They’ll eat anything,” said Salter. “They depredate livestock. They are the truest sense of an omnivore and eat anything they can get a hold of.” The definition of an omnivore is a species that consumes plants and animals.
The biggest job, Curran says, is to get everyone on board with controlling the species. He said that once a farmer sees the damage on their own property, the issue ends.
Unfortunately, the spread of the pigs has been with the help of human beings. “Sport hunting has never been shown as an adequate method of controlling feral pig populations,” said Salter. “These animals just can’t be managed the same way as deer or turkey populations. They are just too smart and reproduce at such a high rate.   “This again goes back to why we outlawed sport hunting. It makes our job a little easier to isolate and work on these groups of pigs if they are not constantly being shot at and scattered.”
 Salter said, “Kansas is the only state that has not just controlled but eradicated populations in nine different areas now.  I am very proud of all our hard work so far.  Currently, we have one area in Bourbon County that I would consider to be a problem area. We are miles ahead from where we started but our work will never be done as we have two states that border us that have large populations. Our focus now will be on those border areas, Bourbon County, and keeping on top of these little populations that pop up.”
Although he is based in Hoisington, Salter spends most days on the road, which can be a 3-4 hour commute to the required destination and spends 1-2 nights away from home.
He is married, has one son, and is an avid fisherman.