In a saga that is blending wildlife management, legal battles, and a hint of celebrity flair, Michigan’s ongoing fight over feral swine has once again taken center stage. A recent court ruling has given two Upper Peninsula (U.P.) hunting operations, Freedom Ranch and Superior Wildlife, a 12-month window to eliminate their feral pigs, following a 2021 Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sting operation that also targeted rocker and avid hunter Ted Nugent’s Sunrize Acres ranch in Jackson County. The operation, which involved undercover DNR agents using fake names and cash-only payments, has sparked heated debate about invasive species, government overreach, and property rights.
Back in 2021, the Michigan DNR launched an undercover investigation targeting six high-fence hunting properties suspected of offering hunts for feral Russian boars or their hybrids, classified as invasive species in Michigan since 2010. The sting operation focused on properties in the U.P. along with Ted Nugent’s Sunrize Acres, with agents posing as hunters to investigate whether these ranches were illegally harboring prohibited swine.
After a four-year legal battle, Ingham County Judge Richard Garcia ruled in May of last year that the pigs on Nugent’s ranch and one other property were not feral Russian boars or hybrids, despite their physical resemblance to the invasive species. Nugent was cleared of any wrongdoing, with the judge determining that the DNR failed to prove the animals were prohibited. However, Freedom Ranch and Superior Wildlife were found to possess Russian boars or hybrids, based on physical characteristics rather than the DNR’s genetic testing.
Michigan DNR’s identification matrix
These two operations have since been given until July 2026 to “manage” their hogs, with Judge Garcia warning that failure to comply could lead to DNR intervention, which would include “rolling through there with helicopters and high powered rifles.”
Rocker Ted Nugent, a longtime critic of the Michigan DNR, has used this case to fuel his accusations of government overreach. During a fiery testimony before a Michigan House committee last month, Nugent called DNR policies “anti-nature and anti-science,” accusing the agency of targeting hunters and driving them out of the state. He argued that the term “Russian boar” is misleading, claiming, “A Russian boar can only be a male pig that lives in Russia,” and that his pigs were domestic and contained within his fenced property. Nugent’s testimony, which also touched on issues like deer baiting and mourning dove hunting, drew sharp criticism from wildlife commissioners, with one calling it “appalling” and “unfair” to DNR staff.
Feral swine, including Russian boars and their hybrids, have been a concern in Michigan since the early 2000s when escapes from hunting preserves led to ecological damage. These animals are known for their destructive behavior, eating crops, damaging forests, and spreading diseases to livestock and wildlife. The DNR’s 2010 Invasive Species Order (ISO) banned possession of these swine, a policy upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2014. The DNR argues that feral pigs are nearly impossible to eradicate once established, citing their rapid reproduction and adaptability.
However, critics, including Nugent and other property owners, argue that the DNR’s definition of “feral-like” traits - such as erect ears, dark coloring, or curly tails - is overly vague and not scientifically sound. Hog farmer Roger Turunen, who testified alongside Nugent, called the DNR’s tactics “tyrannical” and claimed the agency uses its legal power to unfairly target small farmers and hunting operations.
A hog killed by undercover DNR agents at Freedom Ranch | Court Records
As the July 2026 deadline looms, the debate over feral swine in Michigan is far from settled. Nugent’s clearance has emboldened critics of the DNR, who see the ruling as a victory against overzealous regulation. Meanwhile, the DNR maintains that its policies are necessary to protect Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources.
The case has also drawn attention to broader issues of wildlife management, with Nugent and others calling for reforms to hunting regulations, such as lifting bans on deer baiting and expanding game species classifications.
For now, Freedom Ranch and Superior Wildlife face a critical year to comply with the court’s order, while the DNR continues to defend its mission to control invasive species. As this “uniquely Pure Michigan fight” unfolds, it remains a lightning rod for discussions about conservation, government authority, and the rights of property owners.
