Big Lake Wildlife Management Area temporarily shut down to control the number of feral hogs

Little Rock, Arkansas – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services will be working to control the feral hog population, thus the Big Lake Wildlife Management Area and Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be shut down from February 6 to February 10.

During this operation, the general public will not be permitted, and the operation will be weather dependent. According to AGFC Director Austin Booth, if access to the areas is restricted, officials from the AGFC and the cooperating agencies will be present to maintain the road and access closures.

“We hate to close these areas for these operations, but feral hogs threaten both wildlife and agriculture in Arkansas. They destroy habitat, prey on wildlife, and can be linked to disease transmission,” Booth explained.

The AGFC and USDA APHIS expressed their regret for any disruption caused by the operation and thanked the public in advance for their patience in a news release.

Call the AGFC Feral Hog Coordinator Ryan Farney at (501) 382-3945 or the Director of Arkansas APHIS Robert Byrd at (501) 835-2318 for further information.