News Release

Upcoming Area Closures for Feral Hog Management Work

Date: April 8, 2024
Contact: Jon Manchester, 803-647-3964

HOPKINS, SC – Staff from Congaree National Park, alongside staff from USDA APHIS, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Cumberland Gap NHP, will be conducting feral hog management work in the park during the months of April and May. This work will occur in different areas within the park and will require closures to be put in place while this work is taking place.

The dates and locations when feral hog management work is scheduled to occur are as follows:

• April 14-16 – Resource managers will be working in areas of the park along the US 601 corridor. The Bates Ferry Trail, Fork Swamp Trail, and area east of US 601 including Sampson’s Island will be closed during this time.
• May 16-25 – Resource managers will be conducting nighttime hog management work in the areas in and around the Boardwalk and along both frontcountry and backcountry trails. This work is scheduled to be done during the established resource closure for the Synchronized Firefly Viewing Event and will take place after the viewing event has ended for the evening and all visitors have exited the park.

Staff conducting this work will be using firearms, including high-powered rifles, in areas where recent hog activity is evident, which will require these areas to be closed to visitors. “It is very important that people respect area closures while this work is taking place,” said Superintendent Hauburger. “While we understand the desire of people to experience the park landscape and it’s incredible natural beauty, ignoring posted closures puts you and others at risk of serious injury or worse.” While this work is being conducted, signs will be posted in areas where active hog management work is taking place. No backcountry camping permits will be issued for areas closed for hog management.

“The damage these destructive and invasive animals cause to important park ecosystems and their impacts on visitor safety and enjoyment makes it vital that we use every opportunity available to work towards the management and reduction of feral hogs within Congaree,” said park Chief of Resource Stewardship and Science Carson Lillard Van Delden. Feral hogs continue to be a pervasive problem to both the park and surrounding landowners, routinely causing widespread damage to land and water resources both within and outside of the park. Recent observations have shown that they have begun to cause more extensive damage to areas near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, including areas where synchronous fireflies are active and where restoration of longleaf pine is ongoing.