JD Cox gave a presentation on feral hogs and their impact upon Natchitoches Parish economy and ecosystem at the Kiwanis meeting Sept. 7. The Natchitoches Soil and Water Conservation District conducted its annual Feral Hoig Aerial Gunning Program in February 2017 with the assistance of USDA APHIS Wildlife Services.

A total of 640 hogs were removed; 455 of which were removed from Natchitoches Parish. The remaining hogs were removed from Grant Parish. A total of 58 landowners signed up, enrolling 56,000 acres (5,000 in Grant Parish). This is the largest enrollment since the program began in 2014 (33% increase in acreage). Aerial gunning is just one of the methods used by the district to control feral hogs. They have an ongoing Feral Hog Control Program, which includes state of the art trapping systems. Landowners enrolled in the aerial gunning program have access to these traps at no charge.

Landowners are encouraged to attend a Feral Hog Education Workshop Oct. 19 at 6 pm at the Grand Ecore RV Park, located at 1071 Tauzin Island Road in Natchitoches. Topics will include diseases, what’s being done with poisons and the new changes in feral hog laws. Seating is limited. RSVP by Oct. 11 by calling 318-357-8366, ext. 3 or email benny.dobson@la.nacdnet.net.

In other news, the nomination committee presented the following panel for the 2017-2018 year, which was unanimously approved by the membership present.

2017-2018 Kiwanis Officers:

President- Dion Boyett
President Elect- Rodney Boswell
Immediate Past President- LaCarsha Babers
Vice Presidents- Carey Etheridge and Craig Caskey
Treasurer- Lee Waskom
Secretary- Richard Rose

2017-2018 Kiwanis Board of Directors:

1 year term- Haley Taitano and Mike Fox
2 year term- Annette Sterling-Roque, Lauren Anderson and Heather Martin
3 year term- Jill Leo and Jared Kilpatrick