Michigan has issued warnings regarding the growing invasive threat posed by feral hogs spotted across rural areas of Michigan. So, what can you legally do to protect yourself against these wild hogs?
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) advises the public to not approach feral swine. Instead, individuals should report the sighting, take a photo if it is safe to do so, and contact a local conservation officer. Of course, this advice assumes you are not a hunter.
Michigan is one of the twelve states that allows feral hogs to be killed year-round. I have personally shot them in Texas and Tennessee, but never in Michigan. In Michigan, feral hogs are not treated as a traditional game species with a designated “hog season.” Instead, feral hogs may be shot during regular hunting hours while an individual is lawfully participating in an open hunting season and otherwise complying with Michigan hunting laws and local firearm ordinances.
Michigan treats feral swine differently from traditional game animals because they are considered an invasive species that can damage crops, spread disease, and harm native wildlife populations. As a result, the state’s laws are focused more on eradication and control rather than conservation.
Michigan law allows certain individuals to kill feral swine under limited circumstances. What does this actually mean? Michigan law grants broad authority to animal control officers and law enforcement officers to kill swine running at large on public or private properties.
Does the law grant private citizens this right? Yes, but only under certain circumstances.
A private citizen may kill feral swine if they possess either:
However, the rules differ depending on the location of the swine.
On public property, qualifying private citizens may kill swine running at large. On private property, however, a person may only kill the swine if they:
Even though Michigan law permits the killing of feral swine under certain circumstances, it does not override local firearm discharge or hunting ordinances.
For example, if a city or township prohibits the discharge of firearms or bans hunting with certain weapons in a particular area, individuals must still comply with those local restrictions. A person cannot legally fire a weapon in an area where local ordinances prohibit it, even when attempting to remove feral swine.
The unauthorized killing of swine may subject an individual to penalties pursuant to MCL 324.40118. Violations may result in misdemeanor charges, fines, possible jail time, court costs, and revocation of hunting privileges.
It is important to stay informed about what is classified as an invasive species under Michigan law and to understand the legal restrictions surrounding feral swine removal. That’s why we encourage you to research these matters to avoid running into legal trouble with state or local officials.
If you have additional questions regarding hunting or fishing laws, attorney John Freeman can discuss your specific circumstances and help answer your questions regarding Michigan’s hunting and fishing regulations.