Hog Down Awards Program

Feral hogs are an invasive species that spread disease and cause extensive damage to wildlife habitat and agricultural crops. Whole sounder trapping, the removal of an entire group, has been scientifically proven to be the most cost and labor efficient technique across the varied landscape of Georgia. However, traps designed for this purpose require a significant upfront investment (up to $3,500 per trap or more).

To reward significant hog control efforts and arm individuals with better tools, the Georgia DNR has developed the Hog Down Awards Program. Through this pilot program, DNR will award 20 hog traps (5 traps each quarter) valued at approximately $3,500 to randomly selected participants who submit a successful entry. Rules and details subject to change.

AWARD PROGRAM INFORMATION AND DATES

DNR will conduct quarterly drawings of eligible entries. Five (5) eligible winners will be randomly selected each quarter. Each winner will be awarded a whole-sounder feral hog trap valued at approximately $3,500. Individuals can only win one trap each quarter.

The program period will run from July 1 – June 30 each year. Four quarterly drawings will occur during the program period:

1st week of October covering entries from July 1 - September 30
1st week of January covering entries from October 1 – December 31
1st week of April covering entries from January 1 – March 31
1st week of July covering entries from April 1 – June 30

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Successful entries will include the following:

Individuals that lawfully kill a minimum of 10 feral hogs.
Feral hogs must be killed between dates provided for each quarter.
Feral hogs must be killed within the state of Georgia.
Road-kills, spoiled carcasses, and live hogs are not eligible.
A photograph(s) of a minimum of 10 dead hogs must be included with each entry. The online entry form will allow individuals to upload up to 10 photos, which may include single or multiple hogs in each.
Photographs must be taken with a smartphone with location and time/date enabled.
Individuals may only complete an entry when they have photo evidence of 10 dead hogs, no sooner.
Individuals can submit multiple entries during each quarter (e.g., an individual who kills 100 hogs during the quarter can submit 10 entries).
Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
Participants who submit duplicate photos of the same feral hog for multiple entries or multiple individuals using the same photo will be disqualified from all drawings.
Each entry must include the first and last name of the participant, the county(ies) in which the feral hogs were killed, the method of take, the date of take and their DNR Customer Number or Hog Control Permit Number.
Participants will electronically sign an attestation that hogs were killed though lawful means, and all information provided is true and correct, and attest to complete a polygraph test if requested. Winners will also be required to participate in program monitoring surveys (2 surveys – 1 after being awarded the trap and 1 after one year to assess hog control effort and effectiveness) if awarded a trap.
Last eligible entry will conclude at 12 PM following the last date listed for each quarter.
DNR employees, GACD hog control custodians, or other State/Federal/local government employees conducting hog control during official duties are not eligible to participate in Awards program. Immediate family members of same also excluded from participating.