In late 2021, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) introduced proposed changes to trapping regulations. These changes could have negatively impacted farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to manage feral hogs and other nuisance wildlife. Due to extensive public feedback from the Farm Bureau and others, the FWC delayed updating their trapping regulations.
In January 2024, the FWC formed a Trapping Rules Technical Assistance Group (TAG) to provide feedback on potential rule changes. The Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) has been part of this group, representing agricultural interests.
During several meetings, the FWC presented suggested changes and sought input from TAG. Recently, they proposed potentially harmful modifications regarding closed top hog traps. Initially, specific size requirements and an opening at the top of all closed top hog traps were proposed by FWC. After discussions with FFBF and other agricultural representatives, the proposal was revised to allow for any size completely closed top hog traps with specific door/opening size requirements.
The FWC plans one or two more TAG meetings before presenting draft proposals for rule updates to the commission in August 2025.
