Foot-stalking Boar, experiences please

[JMikeyH]

Hi all,

I'm getting an itch to foot stalk boar, seeing talk of it being more and more available in the UK. I've done the highseat thing before, not for me. I've got the ideal gun for it, does anyone have any experiences/pointers for where to go looking for boar stalking in the UK or perhaps point me in the direction of an outfitter? Any key differences between stalking boar and deer? I'm not bothered about trophies or any of that, I want to stalk a wild beast in a challenging environment, not shoot a fenced pig off a feed site

Thoughts please

Thanks

 

[Lateral]

I think your biggest issue, will be finding someone who has a piece of land big enough to accommodate stalking.

Most have relatively small plots, relying on feed stations to draw the boar in.

For what people charge to shoot in the UK, I'd consider spending a little more, and having a long weekend in Hungary. More boar, but some very big areas to stalk, and, or shoot at night.

 

[Alantoo]

Probably not much help, but my only experience of stalking boar was just like any other stalk I have done since.

My first solo stalk in 260 acres of wood in East Sussex resulted in a couple of young boar/feral pigs. I had spent the day before wandering around following their tracks and finding wallows and a rubbing tree without the rifle. Then back in the wood from 6am and eventually was presented with a couple of youngsters after four hours of creeping around.

Range less than 30 metres. 150gr Federal Powershok 308W off a Bogpod tripod with a Blaser R93.

Never repeated. Over the next couple of years the boar were wiped out.

Alan

 

[NickJ]

The main places in the UK for boar: The Forest of Dean, East Sussex and Dumfries & Galloway have totally wild populations, they are not fenced.

Guided - they are mainly shot from high seats at night over bait points to increase your chance of success.

I was told by a FE Ranger that in the Forest of Dean they shoot most stalked at dawn and dusk 'lying up in their beds.'

I shot my only UK boar in East Sussex. It was from a hide at night. My pal who has a fair bit of ground there is a purist and only used the moonlight, it was the advent of NV and Thermal that radically reduced the population he felt. @Alantoo I have met Nobby with him and I'm pretty sure Nobby is not a poacher. He used to be almost full time on fox shooting for the farmers and, no doubt some of his clients had a zero tolerance stance on boar so he had to level them sadly. As you know they can do a lot of damage to pasture and orchards. I gather in Germany the sporting clubs compensate the farmers.

Try Colin Lockerbie on Solwaystalking and Hunting you will, as mentioned have less chance than a shooting a boar from a seat at night but they shoot a few when stalking deer at dawn and dusk I think. I haven't shot boar with Colin, only deer and a few years back before the boar numbers built up.

 

[Alantoo]

@Alantoo I have met Nobby with him and I'm pretty sure Nobby is not a poacher. He used to be almost full time on fox shooting for the farmers and, no doubt some of his clients had a zero tolerance stance on boar so he had to level them sadly. As you know they can do a lot of damage to pasture and orchards

When I mentioned the disappearance of the boar from the wood on here some years ago, mentioning no names, somebody else on here claimed that Nobby had boasted of it...but I do apologise to Nobby if it is incorrect.

I understood he worked as a shepherd. Although the owner of the woods I shot in leased fields to Nobby's boss for sheep, he did not have permission to shoot the Boar there. Maybe he did have permission on surrounding land and wiped them out there.

Bait piles and trail cameras were found in the wood a mile from the road but a few metres from the sheep fields, so maybe unconnected circumstantial evidence and conjecture resulting from the local rumours on my and the land owner's part.

Again abject apologies to Nobby if incorrect.

Alan

 

[Bavarianbrit]

They like to set up in the woods for the cover it offers them and your stalking there will be like walking on cornflakes as you approach so good luck. I am not being sarcastic just realistic.

 

[SussexSteve]

Although poaching does go on here Im sure Nobby wasn't guilty. Lots of us have or had ground around here for boar and they were hunted 365 days a year especially when there was big money in the meat

 

[John Gryphon]

I want to stalk a wild beast in a challenging environment,

Boar/wild pigs are a very easy animal to walk up to,I say 'walk up' to instead of stalk. Yes they have a rippin` nose on them and decent ears (that are compromised by their own noisy behaviour) but their vision is absolute schite!
The challenge of walking up to an old pig is trite compared to stalking a decent aged buck or stag (out of rut).
They really are an easy animal to close the gap on for anyone with half a try.

 

[Alantoo]

Although poaching does go on here Im sure Nobby wasn't guilty. Lots of us have or had ground around here for boar and they were hunted 365 days a year especially when there was big money in the meat

Fair enough, I am happy (if not a little embarrassed) to stand corrected.

I have sent a PM.

Alan

 

[Dhindes]

I share your preference for stalking vs high seat or even driven. I have tried all three and much prefer the stalk. If boar are hunted in an area than they can be very warry - big difference from deer is that they are lower and harder to see if scrub or gorse etc. hunt them a bit like muntjac - walk slow and look a lot. That said my first one was given away by his grunting - once alerted I had to move very quietly - never got a full view of him but could see shoulder and head - dropped him with a neck shot and then all hell broke lose as another 10 boar broke cover - did not even know they were there !. Really good fun if you can find it - mine done in France

 

[MarkD123]

Fair enough, I am happy (if not a little embarrassed) to stand corrected.

I have sent a PM.

Alan

I must admit, I’ve met and chatted with Nobby a couple of months back.
He certainly didn’t strike me as someone of poor character who would be up for poaching; quite the opposite actually.

 

[Alantoo]

I must admit, I’ve met and chatted with Nobby a couple of months back.
He certainly didn’t strike me as someone of poor character who would be up for poaching; quite the opposite actually.

That is good to hear and I am sorry if I jumped to the wrong conclusion.

I have sent you a PM.

Alan

 

[rhine hunter]

Boar/wild pigs are a very easy animal to walk up to,I say 'walk up' to instead of stalk. Yes they have a rippin` nose on them and decent ears (that are compromised by their own noisy behaviour) but their vision is absolute schite!
The challenge of walking up to an old pig is trite compared to stalking a decent aged buck or stag (out of rut).
They really are an easy animal to close the gap on for anyone with half a try.

My experience is totally different. I do boar stalking since many years. Would it be such easy - I would have been tired of it long ago. The opposite is the case: if you think you finally know how they behave/think/move/... - they will come with the next surprising behaviour. Yes, they don't see very well ... but sometimes I am 100% certain I am out their wind, standing in the dark, with no horizon behind me, making no noise... and all of a sudden, the Bache (sow) looks direct into my face. Comes a bit closer. Makes a warning "blow" to their piglets... and all are gone. They are hiding in exactly the right places, taking the optimal paths to their feeding grounds, finding new food sources in days, and so on.

Now things have a bit changed to the advantage of their human predator - just because of thermal cameras, night vision and so on. But: it still keeps being a challenge to get one. Especially by stalking.

In my area, they are both a burden, but also offer one of the greatest hunting experiences. Both would not be the case, were they not as smart as they are.

 

[User00033]

Get a couple these and go for a walk in pig country. You’ll be in business in no time!

 

[John Gryphon]

Caught semi loads of them.

From when I used to smoke the filthy ciggy things,dog and knife.
He wouldn`t have shouldered this bad boy Dave.

 

[Mike L]

Get a couple these and go for a walk in pig country. You’ll be in business in no time!View attachment 239813

What breed are the three dogs on the right please, lovely colouring?

 

[User00033]

What breed are the three dogs on the right please, lovely colouring?

The breed is, simply put, Pig Dog.





@JMikeyH...

Stalking pigs is extremely challenging but can be rewarding. But I think the environment you have at hand probably doesn't lend itself to pig stalking as well as it does here or in Aus. Down here, we get to spot pigs from afar, in open ground, affording the chance to stalk in close if that's the way you're inclined. They will root and cock about in pasture if they don't get much pressure, and can be remarkably unaware if you're downwind and quiet. I've snuck up to really some big pigs - the kind that can eviscerate you in 3 seconds of mayhem - usually for the purpose of taking some photos to show my pig hunting buddies. Fact is, sneaking up and shooting a big pig isn't anywhere near as much fun as catching it with our dogs, so we don't tend to stalk then shoot very often at all.

In the woods / bush / forest, can be next to impossible to find on a random hunt, unless you spend days prior working out their territory. Pigs are very intelligent creatures, but also creatures of habit. They will move around their territory on well established pig trails, and learning pig sign is very useful to see where they go. You can often follow pig sign (we call in "mark") to wallows and favourite rooting spots. If you know where they hang out, then you can put yourself in the right kind of area and use your senses to locate them - hearing and smell often before sight. When they are actively feeding in a mob, you'll hear them before you see them.

Don't know how this would work out in the UK, but no harm in finding out.

 

[Robek1980]

Try Colin Lockerbie on Solwaystalking and Hunting SECONDED!

I have shot boar on two occasion with Colin whilst out in the early hours stalkig for roe bucks. Firt was 51kg (250yrds) second 37kg (330 yards) 30.06 150gr scope 4-20x50 BDC .. have pics and a phone number i can PM you. All the best Rob

 

[rhine hunter]

Guess we talk about different species: (feral) pigs vs. wild boars. Maybe not really comparable. My comments were about wild boars.

 

[JMikeyH]

Guess we talk about different species: (feral) pigs vs. wild boars. Maybe not really comparable. My comments were about wild boars.

Next time you have it fresh in your mind after a stalk, do a write up about it A traditional Germanic boar hunt with all the accompanying elements is high on my bucket list and I'd enjoy reading any stories you've got about it. My uncle goes almost every year to Bavaria to get involved though he has yet to earn the privilege to shoot. One day I hope