South Carolina’s Wild Pig Population Has Spread Into All 46 Counties And The Numbers Are Disturbingly High

Just when we're getting used to the idea of alligators creeping up onto front porches here in South Carolina, there's more to contend with. It seems pigs have arrived and the numbers are not pretty! In fact, wild pigs in South Carolina are on the rise and you'll probably want to keep an eye out for them. While bears climbing up on back decks to empty bird feeders is certainly alarming, the idea of wild pigs might be even worse! Of course, if coyotes making themselves at home if you leave your door open scares you, buckle up!

First, the numbers.

Population estimates of the wild hog population in South Carolina currently range from 140,000 to 150,000. Unfortunately, that number keeps growing.

The wild hog, or pig, is really just a much larger version of its farm-raised cousin. And, feral or wild pigs can grow up to five feet in length. Additionally, males weigh an average of 200 pounds, while females weigh an average of 175 pounds. These things are big!

Wild pigs are extremely versatile easily adapting to most environments. This map shows the 2017 distribution of wild pigs in South Carolina - leaving no county untouched.

Annually, they're responsible for around $115 million in damages to crops and non-crops. And that's just in South Carolina, alone.

The problem began quite some time ago. In fact, back in 2009, a farmer in Abbeville County reported losing one-third of his 100-acres of crops to wild pig damages.

They're known to eat just about anything and crops are easy picking. Surprisingly, they also play the role of predator when it comes to livestock. Goats, newborn cattle, lambs, and chicken are often lost to wild pigs running the land.

But crops and livestock aren't the only damage the wild pig population inflicts.

They often damage people's yards, flower beds, landscape, and more. Additionally, they disrupt the nests of loggerhead sea turtles, particularly in the Winyah Bay area pictured here.

The female wild pig can give birth multiple times per year. And, she can birth up to 16 pigs with each delivery!

She will usually wean the offspring at about 21 days and then will advance back into another heat approximately 26-28 days after giving birth. With this quickly advancing cycle, it's easy to see why it's so difficult for the state to keep up with culling the population spread of wild pigs in South Carolina.

At the moment, the most effective way to combat the population gains of the wild pigs living in South Carolina is through humans hunting them.

The state places no restriction on hunting season, nor a bag limit on wild pigs that are hunted on private lands in the Palmetto State. The most recent numbers for harvested pigs in South Carolina are from 2009 when the state recorded a pig population reduction of 36,888 pigs.

Did you have any idea how out of hand the wild pig population is in South Carolina? More importantly, ever see one of these in the wild? How about in your own backyard? Weigh in with a comment in our Facebook thread!

For another creature that's rapidly spreading across the state, keep reading: More And More Armadillos Are Being Spotted Throughout South Carolina And Here’s What You Should Know.