"Feral hog" means any hog which has lived any part of its life in a wild, free-ranging state and is currently in such state or has been taken.

NOTE: In the O.C.G.A. these animals are called “feral hogs”.  Feral swine, feral hog, wild hog, wild pig, and wild boar are all synonyms that refer to the same biological creature.

It is illegal to transport a live feral hog without a permit.  Permits must be obtained, prior to transport, from the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GAD).

NOTE: Anyone wishing to transport feral swine must first kill the pig in the field before moving it.  Or, if moving a live feral swine, the person must first have a transport permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, valid one year from the date of issue. A live feral swine can be transported to one of three locations: 1. A licensed and inspected Feral Hog Holding Facility. The holding facility must be inspected by the GAD and the holding facility license fee is $100.; 2) an approved and inspected GDA slaughter facility; or, 3) a personal location to be slaughtered provided the feral swine remains on the transport vehicle until slaughter and is slaughtered within 24 hours of transport.  

Mixing or housing together in a pen or holding area feral hogs and domestic swine is illegal.

Penalties for violation of 2-7-201 are a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and punishable by fines of at least $1,500 per violation up to $5,000 per violation.  

Note: any permits issued under Title 27 (fish and game) can be revoked for up to three years.  This means hunting and fishing privileges can be revoked upon conviction under 2-7-203.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has authority to make administrative rules to enforce these sections of the code.

Anyone wishing to take a dead feral swine to a processing facility should be aware that not all deer processing facilities can take a dead feral swine.  Feral swine processing facilities can be located on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division webpage.

 A live feral swine presented to a licensed and fully inspected slaughter facility must pass both antemortem (before death) and postmortem (after death) inspection if the processed product is to be sold, donated or given away.  If a dead feral swine is presented to a licensed and inspected custom exempt slaughter facility, the processed product MUST be mark NOT FOR SALE and can only be used by the presenter/owner of the animal and their immediate household family and friends – it cannot be sold, donated, or given away.

Hunting rules and regulations are under the authority of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Resource Division.

On private land in the state of Georgia, feral swine may be hunted year-round with no bag limits. They may also be hunted at night with a light of any power. Generally hunting from a moving vehicle is illegal. Hunters must have written permission from the landowner to hunt on private land.

Feral swine can also be hunted on Federal lands and state Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in Georgia. However, there are additional restrictions on hunting on public land. On public land, there must be an open season for a listed game species. The hunter can only use the weapon or weapons that are legally allowed during the specific season in question. There is no limit on the number of feral swine that can be taken on public hunting lands during the appropriate season.  It is illegal to hunt feral swine on public land at night. Trapping feral swine on public lands in Georgia is also illegal.

Once harvested and/or processed there is the issue of carcass disposal (GDA Rule: 40-13-5). It is illegal to dispose of a dead animal on another person’s land without permission.  Some city or county landfills take dead animals but arrangements must be made in advance with the proper officials (O.C.G.A. – Section 4-5-3).

Approved or lawful (GDA Rule 40-13-5) methods of carcass disposal include: burning, incineration, burial, rendering (composting).  Disposal of dead animals must be completed within 24 hours of death.  Dead animals that are buried must be buried at least three feet below ground with at least three feet of dirt over the carcass.  Dead animals cannot be buried in any location that might contaminate surface or ground water (O.C.G.A. – Section 4-5-5).