The U.S. Agriculture Department says several agencies will work together on an initiative that will include aerial operations and bait trapping to euthanize feral hogs.
They say the initiative between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service began Thursday and will last through the winter months.
Officials say feral hogs are an invasive species that threaten visitor safety, cultural sites and native plant and wildlife species at the recreation area.
Many experts advise against traditional methods of hunting for the hogs. They say that shooting one hog causes many more hogs to learn to avoid that area and become even more elusive. Additionally, the hogs are such prolific breeders that it's estimated that 70 percent of the population must be eradicated just to maintain the same numbers of hogs from year to year.
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials ask that if you see feral hogs, report the sighting to them at 1-800-858-1549.
