Feral hogs are not just a nuisance — they’re a national crisis that requires an aggressive approach to hog trapping techniques. With more than 6 million wild pigs wreaking havoc across 35+ states and billions of dollars in annual damages, landowners today are faced with a growing threat that’s both destructive and deeply entrenched. We need feral hog control methods.
Feral hog control methods aren’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, success comes from understanding the spectrum of options available — from traditional hunting to cutting-edge traps — and selecting the right method for your property size, budget, terrain, and time commitment.
In this guide, we walk you through the full range of feral hog control methods — including mechanical traps, hunting strategies, and chemical deterrents — while explaining how the Boar Blanket offers a flexible, proven solution in today’s evolving battle against invasive hogs.
Before diving deep, here’s a comprehensive list of the most widely used feral hog control methods today, spanning mechanical, chemical, and tactical approaches. Understanding this landscape will help landowners choose the most effective combination for their needs:. Understanding this landscape will help landowners choose the most effective combination for their needs:
- Box traps for hogs
- Corral traps for hogs
- Drop traps for hogs
- Net traps for hogs (e.g., Boar Blanket)
- Ground hunting
- Aerial hunting (heli-hogging)
- Hog trapping techniques with dogs
- Poison baits for feral hogs
- Integrated pest management approaches
Each method has strengths and drawbacks, which we’ll explore in the sections below. Our goal: equip you with the knowledge to select a smart, sustainable hog control strategy — not just one that looks impressive on paper.
The feral hog control methods landowners rely on today have evolved significantly due to the growing scale of the wild pig problem across the United States. With over 6 million hogs roaming free and billions in damages annually, the stakes are higher than ever for hog trapping techniques. For anyone looking to reduce populations or protect property, understanding the full spectrum of trapping and hunting techniques is key.
This guide will walk through all major options — from low-tech box traps to large-scale net systems — and show where the Boar Blanket fits into this evolving landscape.
Feral Hog Control Methods
Corral Traps
Read how net traps outperform corral systems in this head-to-head breakdown.
Large circular pens made from cattle panels and t-posts, corral traps are built to capture entire sounders. They’re often paired with saloon-style gates or drop mechanisms triggered manually or remotely.
These traps require time to set up and monitor, but when used properly, they can offer excellent results. Still, they demand land, equipment, and coordination, making them better suited to county or collaborative efforts than solo ranchers.
For scalability without heavy equipment, see how the Boar Blanket compares to corral traps [link to product page].
Box Traps
Learn why small-scale traps like box traps are falling behind in our feral hog invasion overview.
Box traps are small, portable units historically used to target individual pigs or very small groups. Often constructed from metal or wood and equipped with a spring-loaded door mechanism, they’ve been a go-to method for decades in rural and suburban areas where larger traps aren’t practical.
These traps are lightweight and relatively simple to set up, which makes them popular for spot-specific applications like gardens, backyards, and targeted nuisance hog removals. In fact, they were once the most common type of hog trap used throughout the southern United States before scalable corral and net traps became widely accessible.
However, the downside is clear: their limited capacity means you’re unlikely to catch more than one or two hogs at a time. Studies have shown that box traps have capture success rates under 10% for entire sounders. Hogs quickly become trap-shy, especially after a single member is captured, making subsequent attempts less effective. They also require frequent re-baiting, daily checking, and labor-intensive relocation.
Box traps still have a place in the toolbox — particularly for lone boars or small groups invading high-traffic residential areas — but they’re no longer recommended for long-term, property-wide control.
Drop Traps
Mechanized or remote-controlled drop traps use a suspended gate, panel, or full corral system that is dropped around pigs once they step into a bait zone. These systems are triggered via remote devices — often mobile apps or manual remotes — making them one of the few hog traps dependent on cellular signal, real-time monitoring, and cameras.
Drop traps are extremely effective at capturing entire sounders in one go, especially when paired with trail cams or motion detectors that help time the drop for maximum impact. Studies from Texas A&M AgriLife and USDA APHIS have reported high success rates, sometimes exceeding 80% for full group capture when triggered correctly.
However, this method is not without its drawbacks. Drop traps are cost-intensive, require precise setup, and depend heavily on electronics functioning in rugged environments. Their reliance on technology makes them less ideal in remote areas with poor reception or inconsistent access. Furthermore, they demand constant surveillance to avoid false drops or misfires.
These traps are often used by state programs, large ranches, or cooperatives with the budget and infrastructure to manage real-time monitoring. For individual landowners, they offer unmatched effectiveness but come with a learning curve and upfront investment.
Check out our guide comparing net vs cage systems.
Net Traps (Including Boar Blanket)
Flexible, scalable, and low-tech, net traps like the Boar Blanket or Pig Brig operate by letting hogs push into a ground-level perimeter and become trapped inside a tapered, double-net system. There are no hinges, no drop mechanisms, and no need for electricity or cell service, which means fewer failure points in rugged conditions.
What makes net traps especially valuable is their balance of simplicity and effectiveness. Studies and real-world use cases have shown net traps to be capable of capturing entire sounders, even in remote or heavily wooded terrain where other trap types struggle. By removing mechanical complexity, they reduce the chances of malfunction while remaining effective in capturing multiple hogs at once.
From a cost standpoint, net traps represent a smart investment: lower upfront cost than steel corral systems, fewer replacement parts, and less need for surveillance or active management. For ranchers operating solo or without heavy equipment, this means more ground covered, less time wasted, and more successful outcomes.
Net traps can typically be installed in under an hour with just basic tools, making them ideal for time-constrained ranchers and wildlife managers who need to scale operations quickly. And because they’re mobile, a single Boar Blanket can be redeployed across multiple hotspots throughout a property.
Learn how a boar blanket trap setup works in under an hour.
Feral Hog Hunting Methods
Ground Hunting
This traditional method includes spot-and-stalk, still hunting, or hunting from blinds — tactics deeply rooted in American hunting culture. While ground hunting is legal in most states and accessible to most landowners, it typically removes only a small percentage of hogs and rarely achieves meaningful population reduction.
Commonly used firearms include AR-15 style rifles, bolt-action rifles, and shotguns, often chambered in .223, .308, or 12-gauge slugs. Night hunting is also legal in some areas and usually involves thermal or night vision scopes. Despite these tools, hogs quickly adapt to hunting pressure, shifting patterns and becoming increasingly nocturnal and elusive.
Ground hunting can be effective for isolated hog sightings or as a secondary tactic in a broader feral hog control methods strategy. But alone, it tends to create fragmented pressure — spooking hogs to neighboring properties instead of eliminating them entirely.
Aerial Hunting
Explore legal hog hunting methods and traps on our product specs page.
Heli-hogging is legal in certain states like Texas and offers high-volume removal fast. However, the high cost and need for permits mean this approach is mostly reserved for government or large-property use.
Hunting with Dogs
For safer, scalable alternatives to dog hunting, see our trap setup guide.
Still practiced in many rural regions, hunting with dogs uses trained bay or catch dogs to locate and restrain hogs until the handler arrives. While effective in some areas, this method comes with risk to both animals and people.
Chemical Control
Poison Baits
Some state agencies have tested poisons like warfarin or sodium nitrite, but widespread use is controversial. Risks to non-target species, livestock, and water tables are major concerns. Legal in only a few jurisdictions with strict handling requirements.
For updated USDA efforts, visit APHIS feral swine program.
Integrated Approaches to Feral Hog Control Methods: What the Research Shows
Experts agree: the best feral hog control is multi-layered. That might include:
- Using traps like the Boar Blanket for full sounder removal
- Following up with hunting in high-traffic zones
- Monitoring with trail cams for post-capture validation
- Coordinating with neighbors or ag offices
For more insight on population growth, read Why Feral Hogs Are Taking Over the South.
Why the Boar Blanket Fits in This Landscape
The Boar Blanket was developed with one goal: give everyday landowners the ability to trap entire sounders without needing cell service, steel panels, or drop triggers.
- Low tech, high results: uses net tension, not gravity or motors
- Whole sounder capture: the system is tapered to prevent escape
- Scalable: move it, expand it, or set multiple sites
- Fast install: Learn more at the trap setup blog
- Built to last: Review the product specs for durability, material quality, and UV resistance
The Boar Blanket system allows property owners to act now, before the feral hog problem spirals.
Check the Buy Now page to see pricing and kit options.
Final Thoughts on Feral Hog Control Methods: Choose Smarter, Not Just Bigger
Not all traps are created equal. From box traps to corral pens, each method plays a role — but some are clearly more scalable and effective.If you’re serious about controlling feral hogs, look into methods that match your land, your time, and your goals. And when in doubt, start with a Boar Blanket.