Beginning January 12, federal and state agencies will begin their annual effort to reduce feral swine at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, working with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, will conduct aerial operations and bait trapping through February.
Officials say feral swine are a non-native species that threaten visitor safety, damage cultural sites, and harm native plants, wildlife, and agriculture. The animals are primarily concentrated on the Tennessee side of Land Between the Lakes, though sightings have been reported north of the state line.
This year’s operations will include helicopters equipped with Forward Looking Infrared, or FLIR, technology to locate feral swine more efficiently. Wildlife specialists will use the information to guide removal efforts. APHIS also traps feral swine year-round with help from public sighting reports.
Visitors are advised they may see additional official vehicles and low-flying aircraft in parts of Land Between the Lakes through the winter. Safety of visitors and staff remains a top priority during operations.
APHIS began assisting with feral swine control at Land Between the Lakes in 2014. While early efforts showed success, they were not enough to eliminate the population. In 2018, 70 feral swine were euthanized. With an expanded operation in 2025, that number increased to 1,445.
Wildlife officials stress that hunting is not an effective solution at Land Between the Lakes. Kentucky banned wild pig hunting in 2024 to prevent illegal releases and further spread. In Tennessee, feral swine may only be taken on designated public lands, and it remains illegal to possess, transport, or release them.
Officials say eradication is necessary to protect native wildlife such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey. Visitors are encouraged to report feral hog sightings through the Land Between the Lakes website.
