Wild boar and feral swine in Michigan

Feral hogs in Michigan: where they are

Michigan's feral swine problem has a specific source: Russian boar (Eurasian wild boar, Sus scrofa) and their hybrids, many of them escapees from fenced hunting ranches. Michigan's invasive species program lists Russian boar as established in Michigan, though at low numbers compared with the southern states. No official statewide population count is published.

The state's position is set by the DNR's Invasive Species Order of 2010, which made Russian boar a prohibited species: you may not possess them. Hunting-ranch owners fought the order, and the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld it in 2014. The long legal fight only recently wrapped up. In July 2025, a federal judge gave the remaining Upper Peninsula ranches until July 29, 2026 to get rid of any pigs meeting the DNR's invasive criteria. After that date, the state could enforce the ban without further delay. Lawmakers said fewer than six of Michigan's hunting preserves were still operating, down from more than 70 about a decade earlier.

So the answer to "are there wild boar in Michigan?" is yes, scattered and unwanted. Every free-ranging pig is a target for removal, and Michigan asks hunters to report every sighting and every kill so USDA Wildlife Services can track where they are and test for disease. If you're curious how a Russian boar differs from a southern feral hog, our wild boar vs. feral hog guide explains it.

Legal status	Prohibited invasive species under the DNR Invasive Species Order (2010)
Population	Established at low numbers; no official count
Public land	Anyone with a valid hunting license or concealed pistol license may take them
Private land	Landowner, or anyone with landowner permission
Season / bag limit	No closed season, no limit
Possession of live boar	Prohibited
Report sightings & kills	Michigan.gov/RussianBoar or USDA Wildlife Services 517-336-1928

Hog hunting and trapping rules in Michigan

As of 2026, Michigan's rule for feral swine is simple: shoot them when you can, and tell the state when you do.

Public land

Michigan's 2026 small game regulations summary says Russian boar may be taken on public land by anyone with a valid Michigan hunting license or a concealed pistol license (CPL). There's no season and no bag limit. Treat each boar as an opportunistic shot during legal hunting hours, and follow the normal rules for the land you're on and the weapon you're carrying.

Private land

On private land, Russian boar may be taken by the landowner or with the landowner's permission. The state's invasive species permit page says property owners may shoot Russian boar on their own land without a hunting license. For a hunter on someone else's land, older DNR guidance said no license or CPL was required either, but the current summary is worded more generally. If you're unsure, check with the Michigan DNR before you hunt.

Trapping and live boar

Russian boar are a prohibited species, so you may not possess, transport or release a live one. That rules out keeping trapped pigs or moving them anywhere. If pigs are using your land, contact USDA Wildlife Services or the DNR about removal help. Our trapping guide explains how whole-sounder trapping works if you're dealing with a group on your land.

Report every pig

Report sightings and kills at Michigan.gov/RussianBoar or call 517-336-1928 (USDA Wildlife Services). If you shoot one, Wildlife Services asks hunters to let them collect samples for disease testing. Feral swine can carry diseases, including brucellosis, that threaten people and livestock. Wear gloves when you field dress, and cook the meat to 160°F (71°C).

The upshot: Michigan doesn't want a hog-hunting culture. It wants zero pigs, and hunters are one part of that.

Cooking wild hog, Michigan style

Michigan has a strong sausage tradition, from Polish kielbasa in Hamtramck to the deer-camp sausage made every November. Wild boar makes a firm, flavorful link. Our smoked wild boar sausage goes into a skillet with sauerkraut, onions and a splash of beer for a quick kielbasa-style supper.

If you'd rather make your own, mix ground wild boar with garlic, marjoram, black pepper and a little pork fat, form it into patties and pan-fry them to 160°F (71°C). Up in the Upper Peninsula, ground boar works in a pasty too. Fold it into the crust with diced potato, rutabaga and onion, then bake until golden.

Wild boar meat delivery to Michigan

We ship wild boar from our plant in Hubbard, Texas to every part of Michigan — frozen, vacuum sealed and packed with dry ice. Estimated transit: 3–4 days by ground; 2-day air recommended (estimate), including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor and Lansing. Orders over $199.00 ship free; smaller orders ship for a flat $39.95.

Estimate from Hubbard, TX; the Upper Peninsula can take longer than Lower Michigan.

Feral hogs in Michigan: FAQ

Sources

1. Michigan Invasive Species Program — Russian boar (ID and reporting)
2. Michigan DNR — 2026 Small game hunting regulations summary (Russian boar take)
3. Michigan Invasive Species Program — Permits (landowner may shoot Russian boar)
4. Michigan Invasive Species Program — Russian boar profile (established in Michigan)
5. GearJunkie — Michigan judge orders ranches to eliminate feral hogs (July 2025)
6. MUCC — Feral swine in Michigan (DNR guidance summary)
7. USDA APHIS — Feral swine distribution maps

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