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James Long

James Long

Project Coordinator

james.long@ag.tamu.edu

As a project coordinator for the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Jay specializes in educational programming and provides technical assistance to landowners and others seeking to reduce expanding populations of wild pigs. Prior to joining the institute, he served as a park ranger and public hunting coordinator for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the Guadalupe River and Lake Somerville State Parks.

Jay has a wealth of knowledge and experiences derived from 10 years of military service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served two tours overseas, one combat tour to Afghanistan and one tour in support of operations in Libya, earning the rank of Sergeant and holding several billets within the Infantry community. Towards the end of his military career, Jay served at the Wounded Warriors detachment in San Antonio as an Operations Chief assisting wounded Marines with their transition and care. 

He received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from American Public University System in 2017 with a concentration in Fish and Wildlife Management. Currently, he is a graduate student at Texas A&M University, pursuing a master's degree in wildlife science in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management. 

In his free time, Jay enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. As an avid outdoorsman, he also enjoys hunting, fishing, archery, and introducing his daughters to the world of hunting and conservation. 

Publications

Field Notes

  • Why feral pig management is essential for new landowners Sep 19, 2025

    Texas faces a threat that is adaptable, pervasive, and alarmingly expensive: the feral pig (Sus scrofa), known variously as wild hogs, wild boars, or razorbacks. This invasive exotic species has populations estimated in the millions, and the damage they inflict can be severe. A new publication, "Managing Feral Pigs on Small Acreage Properties and Metropolitan Areas," underscores the urgent necessity of modernized feral pig management strategies, especially as Texas rapidly urbanizes.

     

  • Lone Star Healthy Streams workshop set June 13th in Bay City May 5, 2025

    A Lone Star Healthy Streams workshop will be held on June 13th at the Bay City Service Center (2105 Ave. M, Bay City). This event is hosted by the Matagorda County SWCD#316, open to the public. Although the education is funded, there is a $30 registration fee for refreshments and steak lunch.

  • Extension Publication released on Feral Pigs and Disease Concerns Oct 15, 2024

    The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI) released a new publication titled “Disease Concerns Associated with Feral Pigs” that covers the science behind the most common and emerging diseases associated with this animal and the way diseases are transmitted.

  • African Swine Fever Negatively Impacts Global Pork Production Apr 23, 2024

    Diseases affecting wild and domestic swine (Sus scrofa) play a significant role in the success of the global pork industry. Supply chains have faced substantial challenges in recent years due to African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild pigs. This virus is transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or indirect contact with contaminated objects. Symptoms in swine are characterized by high fevers, hemorrhages, and high mortality rates, reaching up to 100% in some cases. Fortunately, humans cannot contract ASF and no cases have been confirmed in the United States through the rigorous monitoring and surveillance protocols enacted by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS). However, the disease has still taken a substantial toll on global pork production and trade.

  • Podcast Ep. #5: Life Skills and Wild Pig Management with Jay Long Apr 2, 2024

    Managing species of all kinds from endangered to invasive, we were honored to have NRI’s Jay Long for Episode #5 of The Land Steward Podcast, “Life Skills and Wild Pig Management”. In true spirit, this episode is full of relatable challenges and prescriptive solutions that you can use today—what a great time to be a land steward.

  • Feral Hog Control Workshop and Resources Available to Landowners Sep 2, 2022

    Landowners in Hardeman, Wichita, Clay, Wilbarger, Milam, Williamson and Nueces counties interested in participating in a wild pig workshop and training can join us for free this fall to learn more about effective management practices and to become familiar with smart trapping techniques.

  • Feral Swine Trap Loan Program Available to Landowners in Clay, Hardeman, Wichita and Wilbarger Counties Dec 6, 2021

    The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) is working with the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Texas Wildlife Damage Management Association (TWDMA), Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute (NRI), and four local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) to help address the issues that feral swine pose to agriculture, ecosystems, and the health of humans and animals.