A joint operation between NSW Farmers Tottenham branch and the Australia Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA) has conducted a very successful feral pig bounty trial in the Tottenham area. 

The trial resulted in the removal of 1427 feral pigs from a 51,869-hectare area during January 2025.

A trial was set up to investigate the impact of a bounty following the October 2024 NSW Farmers State Executive resolution “That the NSW State Government, through the LLS, initiate a feral pig bounty of $20 per pig. This is to incentivise professional and licenced recreational hunters to help dramatically reduce the feral pig population.”

The trial was conducted by a group of local APDHA hunters who hunted as if a bounty was in force for the legal and humane destruction of feral pigs. 

The NSW Farmers Tottenham branch reported that many of the pigs eradicated were in the same area covered by a Local Land Services helicopter eradication program 14 months ago. 

They claim this highlights the need for ongoing hunting to prevent rapid repopulation.

Lachlan Shire Mayor, John Medcalf OAM, who is himself a farmer from the Tottenham area, said pigs cause significant problems.

“Feral pigs are an ongoing problem to farmers across the state,” Mr Medcalf. 

“They cost farmers through damaged crops and the taking of newborn lambs. 

“They also pose a significant biosecurity risk as carriers of diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease.

“A bounty would complement existing eradication programs by encouraging more consistent hunting of all sizes of pigs. 

“If we can remove young pigs before they breed it will put real pressure on feral pig populations and improve the effectiveness of other control methods” Mr Medcalf concluded.

The Invasive Species Council of NSW disagrees, and has urged the NSW Government not to offer bounties to hunters.

“Bounty hunters might be heroes on the big screen, but in the real world of feral animal control, they’re just a waste of taxpayers’ money,” Invasive Species Council Acting CEO Jack Gough said. 

“We’ve seen it time and again across the country – bounties just don’t work. Not only do they fail to deliver results, but they actually encourage hunters to spread feral animals further.

“The research is clear and it shows bounties are ineffective because invasive species breed and spread too quickly. The schemes are also riddled with fraud and encourage inhumane and ineffective control methods. 

“I hope that Premier Minns and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty will listen to the science.

“To truly tackle the problem of feral pigs, deer, foxes and cats, we need to invest in professional, coordinated, long-term, science-backed control methods, such as aerial shooting, baiting, trapping and fencing, which have been proven time and time again to achieve better results,” Mr Gough said.