Efficiency of Surveying, Baiting, and Trapping Wild Pigs at Fort Benning, Georgia

Abstract

This study, conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia, sought to develop more efficient ways of surveying for and trapping wild pigs (Sus scrofa), an abundant, destructive invasive species found on Fort Benning. Game cameras set at a 9-minute time-lapse interval yielded detection results no different than cameras set at a previously-validated 3-minute interval. Pigs did not arrive more quickly nor remain longer at sites baited with soured corn than those baited with whole corn. Wild pigs of all demographics entered corral traps at a greater rate than box traps. Corral traps captured more pigs per trap night and more pigs per dollar than box traps. Surveys for wild pigs using game cameras set at roughly 10-minute time-lapse intervals over sites baited with whole corn are more efficient than a number of other options. When feasible, the use of corral traps is more efficient than the use of box traps for trapping wild pigs.