Boar in Scotland - article in the Sunday Post

[Franchi Matt]

It has been happening worldwide. There are a few cases in the USA every year of attacks with some resulting in gruesome deaths.

Certainly not anyway to go I should imagine

 

[Jamouk]

Driven hunts in the UK in the next 20 years?

 

[Miki]

Has anyone hunted/shot any Boar in Scotland ?

 

[Heym SR20]

I know individuals who have.

Re Driven Boar in the UK, I don’t see any reason why not and in many ways driven hunts are the best way of getting on top a population of deer or pigs. In the old days Roe were often managed this way.

However two things very much against it happening.

1) hunting with dogs act probably pretty much precludes use of dogs with the beating line. You would still need to have dogs to hand for following up shot animals.

2) there would be endless sucking of teeth, and its very “johny foreigner” and then totally unacceptable to shoot a running animal and then of course all the bunny hugging etc.

But having a few piggies running around eating Mrs Bunny huggers bunny rabbits and crapping and digging upher lawn and we as big brave hunters come in and save her from these big scary animals could only be a good thing.

 

[Wildlife Biologist]

Feral hogs are on a rampage worldwide. Although there are physical differences between the Russian boar (wild hog) and feral hog and Russian-feral hog cross in ancestry, size and aggressiveness, they are all dangerous. They’re a detriment to other wildlife, they’re tearing up farms and ranches and moving into suburban areas. I have read where feral hogs cause $1.5 billion in agricultural damage annually throughout the United States alone. These feral hogs have been reported in 35+ of our States. I have seen estimates of over 9 million feral hogs in the U.S. From what I have learned from researchers, unfortunately sport hunting combined with trapping efforts are eliminating only 20 to 30 percent of the feral hog population annually in the States. The situation may differ slightly in different parts of the world where wild hogs are abundant, but all countries experiencing hog issues share the same basic problem and the need to formulate and implement effective population management strategies. Hunting and trapping will not be sufficient at the current levels. Research is being conducted worldwide an attempt to eliminate feral hogs. I am especially interested in these two research efforts:

• Oral contraceptives are currently undergoing laboratory research. It is imperative that the contraceptive only work on hogs or that the delivery method can be controlled whereas other animals are not exposed. Implementation of an effective contraceptive formula has not been perfected but progress has been made. It is believed it would be feasible and most effective if distributed by use of a feed delivery system, strategically located in feral hog habitat for consumption. Although studied, it was quickly determined to not be a cost-effective strategy of trapping, sterilizing and releasing feral hogs back into the wild. Even with this method, the hogs would still be in the habitat and continuing detrimental effects. Reproduction would however be reduced and thus resulting in reduction of the population.
• Toxins or poisons have been undergoing laboratory research for several years. Using poison for population control is difficult because of potential inaccuracies in dosing and the inability to ensure that other animals aren’t accidentally poisoned. Accidental poisoning of non-targeted species is a major issue with the use of any poison.

Delivery systems and methods are simultaneously being studied for both oral contraceptives and toxins/poisons with varying success. I remain optimistic but skeptical.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that methods and strategies are formulated, perfected, and implemented that are effective. It looks like much research is still needed. Meanwhile the hogs continue their rampage.

 

[griff]

One shot on my permission last week @ 150kg, he was the smallest one of the bunch..

 

[Wildlife Biologist]

I know individuals who have.

Re Driven Boar in the UK, I don’t see any reason why not and in many ways driven hunts are the best way of getting on top a population of deer or pigs. In the old days Roe were often managed this way.

However two things very much against it happening.

1) hunting with dogs act probably pretty much precludes use of dogs with the beating line. You would still need to have dogs to hand for following up shot animals.

2) there would be endless sucking of teeth, and its very “johny foreigner” and then totally unacceptable to shoot a running animal and then of course all the bunny hugging etc.

But having a few piggies running around eating Mrs Bunny huggers bunny rabbits and crapping and digging upher lawn and we as big brave hunters come in and save her from these big scary animals could only be a good thing.

Thanks for posting this. I see that "Mrs. Bunny Huggers" are a world wide issue. You have brought up some very valid points.

 

[Heym SR20]

Thanks for posting this. I see that "Mrs. Bunny Huggers" are a world wide issue. You have brought up some very valid points.

And our key Mrs Bunny Hugger is of course Mrs Boris Johnston our Prime Minister, who is married to a serial shagger called Boris who pretends that he has some sort of importance.

 

[Heym SR20]

One shot on my permission last week @ 150kg, he was the smallest one of the bunch..

150kg live weight or gralloched weight?

 

[Wildlife Biologist]

And our key Mrs Bunny Hugger is of course Mrs Boris Johnston our Prime Minister, who is married to a serial shagger called Boris who pretends that he has some sort of importance.

LOL

 

[EMcC]

There was an article about 'Driven Boar' in Scotland back in the late 80's early 90's.
The Sunday Telegraph ran an article headed 'Return of the big guns'
I can't remember which part of Scotland but wasn't far in from England.
It was ran by Peter Carr I think or at least he had something to do with it.

 

[Ratel]

Has anyone hunted/shot any Boar in Scotland ?

Yes, on the estate where Willie Graham farms. I had the stalking then. Solway stalker wanted to shoot them, but in those days he lived local, only had a .222 and wasn't in business as a guide.
Shot two and tried to drive them a couple of times without luck. They were escapees from just up the valley. The FC ranger was whacking them as well. The two I shot were only half grown and very tasty, that was 16 years ago.

 

[Miki]

I've a hankering to shoot a pig.

 

[Woodsmoke]

I've a hankering to shoot a pig.

Me too. It's on the list, for sure. Technically, I could say I've already done it, but a pair of half-grown Kune Kune for the freezer isn't quite in the spirit of things

 

[Franchi Matt]

I've a hankering to shoot a pig.

Dont we all?

 

[griff]

150kg live weight or gralloched weight?

Gralloched, head and feet on i believe, but will check with the person that shot it and see if there are any pictures..

 

[foxhunter]

Yes, on the estate where Willie Graham farms. I had the stalking then. Solway stalker wanted to shoot them, but in those days he lived local, only had a .222 and wasn't in business as a guide.
Shot two and tried to drive them a couple of times without luck. They were escapees from just up the valley. The FC ranger was whacking them as well. The two I shot were only half grown and very tasty, that was 16 years ago.

Lots of folks have shot boar with colin, I've had 2

 

[Heym SR20]

Gralloched, head and feet on i believe, but will check with the person that shot it and see if there are any pictures..

That’s a good size Keiler. Biggest I have is just under 100kg.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Dont we all?

It is great until you walk up to it and think htf will I shift this lump?

 

[Wildlife Biologist]

It is great until you walk up to it and think htf will I shift this lump?

Now that's funny...but true!