LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Arkansas landowners now have an opportunity to receive financial assistance for controlling invasive feral hogs under the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s (AGFC) Conservation Incentive Program. Applications for the current funding cycle are open until Monday, September 11, at 4:30 p.m.
The program, initially launched in 2024, aims to support private landowners in protecting and improving their land through conservation measures. With 85% of Arkansas land privately owned, Trey Reid, an AGFC spokesperson, emphasized the importance of landowner participation in addressing statewide conservation challenges.
“We’re talking 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 acres. One hundred acres here, 500 acres there, 1,000 acres elsewhere. Pretty soon, you’re talking about a significant amount of land where we’re doing good conservation work with the help of landowners,” Reid explained.
One of the program’s top priorities for this round of funding is trapping feral hogs, which was also a popular focus in previous cycles. Feral hogs, an invasive species prevalent across the southern United States, cause an estimated $19 million in agricultural damages annually in Arkansas.
“They do an immense amount of damage,” Reid said. “But if we make a difference on 100 acres here, 500 acres there, we can hopefully put a dent in feral hog populations.”
Eligible landowners with 100-acre properties or larger can apply for financial reimbursement on specific types of approved hog traps. The program will cover up to 75% of trap costs, capped at $20,000. Although less funding is available this year, AGFC prioritized feral hog control due to its significant impact on local ecosystems and agricultural productivity.
Reid acknowledged that the benefits of conservation efforts may not always be immediately noticeable, but he emphasized their long-term importance.
“Conservation is a long game,” he said. “We’re doing things now that might not show their true benefits for 25, 30, 50, or even 100 years. But we can already see results from past initiatives, like prescribed burns and forest thinning, which yield almost immediate benefits.”
The program is funded by $5 million set aside from the governor’s office, allowing for the continuation of other initiatives in future years, such as prescribed burning, forest thinning, and native grassland preservation. Landowners can also fill out an interest form now for the 2027 program.
To apply or find more information about the available reimbursement programs, visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website.