Covington County landowners have the opportunity to receive financial assistance to aid in the trapping and proper disposal of feral and wild hogs.

Landowners can take advantage of the $8,500 the county received through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), but time is running out.

Applications are being accepted until March 24 in order to qualify for 2010 funding.

First priority will be given to cropland, second to pasture and third to forestland owners.

Participants must have farm and tract numbers with the Farm Service Agency and complete payment eligibility.

Traps will be limited to two per landowner and reimbursement will be $500 for each trap installed to NRCS specifications.

Officials at NRCS said the feral/wild hog population is growing at an alarming rate across the state, and hogs have been spotted in most of the 67 counties and reproduce at an alarming rate.

ws can begin breeding at six months of age and produce up to four litters per year with each litter consisting of four to 12 piglets.