Gov. Mary Fallin vetoes Oklahoma feral hog hunting bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Gov. Mary Fallin has vetoed a bill that would have allowed night hunting with spotlights of feral hogs by hunters without a hunting license.

Fallin said Friday that the bill would create a danger for people on public hunting lands. The bill was also opposed by wildlife, ranching, farming and energy officials.

There are an estimated 1.6 million feral hogs in Oklahoma that cause more than $1 billion in damage each year.

Fallin said she supports the intent of the bill, but said it creates "an unreasonable public safety threat" and said trapping feral hogs has proven to be the most effective method of eliminating them.

Fallin also ordered the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation streamline the issuing of permits allowing private landowners to remove the hogs at night.