Boar Hunting - Wild Boar or "Razorbacks"

The Wild Boar is the wild ancestor of the domesticated pig. It lives in woodlands in central Europe, the Mediterranean regions, across southern Asia and as far as Indonesia. Animals similar to the wild boar include the warthog of Africa and the peccary or javelina of the American Southwest; but these animals do not share the pig's taxonomic genus.

The wild boar for a long time was extinct in Great Britain, although some are farmed for their meat. In recent decades escaped wild boars have bred into a new wild population in some areas, particularly the Weald. Wild Boars can reach up to 440 lb (200 kg) and can be up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long. If surprised or cornered they may become aggressive and can cause injury with their tusks. However, this is quite rare and usually only occurs if a sow feels the need to defend her piglets.

The term "boar" can refer to an adult male domestic pig. The difference between the wild and domestic animals is largely a matter of perception; both are usually described as Sus scrofa, and domestic pigs quite readily become feral. The characterisation of populations as wild, feral or domestic and pig or boar is usually decided by where the animals are encountered and what is known of their history.

One characteristic by which domestic breed and wild animals are differentiated is coats. Wild animals almost always have thick, short bristly coats ranging in colour from brown through grey to black. A prominent ridge of hair matching the spine is also common, giving rise to the name "razorback" in the southern United States. The tail is usually short and straight. Wild animals tend also to have longer legs than domestic breeds and a longer and narrower head and snout. European adult males can be up to 200kg and have both upper and lower tusks; females do not have tusks and are around a third smaller on average.

"Hogzilla" was a wild hog shot in Alapaha, Georgia on 17 June 2004 by Chris Griffin on a farm and hunting reserve. It was alleged to be 12 feet (3.6 meters) long and having weighed 1,000 pounds (450 kg). Its remains were exhumed in early 2005 and studied by scientists from the National Geographic for a documentary. In March 2005, these scientists confirmed that Hogzilla actually weighed 800 pounds (360 kg) and was between 7.5 and 8 feet (2.25 and 2.4 meters) long, diminishing the validity of the previous claim. Hogzilla was part domestic and part wild boar. According to the examiners, Hogzilla's tusks measured nearly 46 cm (18 inches), and nearly 41 cm (16 inches), which was a new record for North America.

Call one of our Big Game Hunting Specialists to arrange your Wild Boar Hunting trip today at
1-800-615-9086. We can assist you with any questions you may have about your hunt and help ensure that this is one adventure you'll never forget!