Mo. department seeks to oust feral pigs

JEFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri Department of Conservation has been working to rid its lands around the state of feral hogs.

The department said Wednesday that wild hogs have been damaging crops and habitat. The agency says they're especially troublesome during the current drought because they get into shallow farm ponds and streams and pollute the water.

Debra Burns, wildlife supervisor for the department's Kansas City Region, says bands of hogs have been found in west-central Missouri. The department says most of Missouri's feral hogs have been released illegally by people who intend to hunt them or charge fees for guiding hunters.

The Conservation Department is asking people who see the hogs on its lands to contact the agency or a local conservation agent.