County Hog Abatement Matching Program (CHAMP) Sponsored by Texas Department of Agriculture Provides matching funds up to $30,000 on a 1:1 basis Requires at least 2 counties working together…Hays and Caldwell! Funds secured from partners will go directly toward feral hog control Caldwell County Feral Hog Task Force will manage grant with oversight from Hays and Caldwell County

Our Feral Hog Problem Feral hogs are non-native and invasive 2.6 million feral hogs in Texas as of 2012 Population expected to double by 2017 – exponential growth $52 million in agricultural losses per year with overall economic impact estimated at over $500 million annually Destroy wildlife and aquatic habitat Predation on wildlife, livestock and aquatic species Destroy pastures and crops Increased erosion Direct deposition of bacteria to streams Host of diseases including Brucellosis Economic Impact to Hays and Caldwell County, likely over $2 million annually with a population that may exceed 10,000 individuals

Caldwell County Feral Hog Task Force December 21, 2012 – Watershed Coordinator met with Lt. Governor’s Office to discuss potential funding for feral hog project in Caldwell County and Hays County January 8, 2013 – First meeting of the Task Force facilitated by Plum Creek Watershed Coordinator February 18, 2013 – Watershed Coordinator met with State Representatives to discuss funding for local feral hog program Developed FY2014 and FY2015 feral hog action plan for Hays and Caldwell County February 26, 2013 – Task Force meeting approved Action Plan March 6, 2013 – Meeting with TDA staff to propose pilot project May 14, 2013 – Task Force meeting approved Leadership Committee May 28, 2013 – Resolution passed by Caldwell Co. Commissioners officially adopting Task Force The future of feral hog management!

CHAMP Grant Details for Hays County and Caldwell County Supplement aerial control from Texas Wildlife Service 20 hours – Helicopter Tours of Texas (local company) Estimated 600 feral hogs removed Professional trapping Ortiz Game Management Estimated 500 feral hogs removed Landowner incentives Purchase 2 floating traps for landowners Magnetic drop net Feral hog exclosures (cost share) $5 per hog bounty Estimated 4,720 feral hogs removed OVERALL REDUCTION OF 75% of feral hogs in Hays and Caldwell County in 1 year 60% reduction in feral hogs from CHAMP Program

Project Partners

Summary Total Project Cost of $85,000 including landowner participation fees and in-kind services for FY2014 Aerial control, professional trapping, landowner incentives for Hays and Caldwell County Goal of 75% reduction in feral hog population in two-county area over 1 year Goal to secure at least $30,000 in support from project partners with $30,000 match from TDA $14,500 secured as of June 18, 2013 $10,000 requested from Hays County Recommend Hays County appoints representative to Caldwell County Feral Hog Task Force Application due July 1, 2013