Posted Thursday, October 25, 2012 --- 7:40 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- State wildlife officials are urging deer hunters to report any sightings of wild pigs in the woods.

The Department of Natural Resources has taken reports of feral pigs from at least 51 counties since 1997. The agency considers the pigs to be a serious environmental threat because they destroy the landscape rooting for food, prey on fawns and ground-nesting birds such as grouse and turkeys and often carry diseases.

The DNR allows hunters to kill feral pigs year-round except the Friday before opening day of the traditional November gun deer season. All they need is a small-game license and the landowner's permission. Landowners themselves don't need a license.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.