I live about 20 miles from the Kent/Sussex population of Boar.
I have watched them and seen them a few times over the years, but I have no shooting rights, and all of my visits have been with Derek Harman. Derek wrote a book a few years back called Wild Boar in the UK, the story so far.
The area around Beckley is where many of the Boar settled after the hurricane of 1987. At that time the area was undisturbed and not many people knew of the Boar being present. On one visit with Derek we watched a large sounder feeding, and also saw a large Boar in broad daylight.
I seem to remember that after some years Derek put the population at about 400 Boar within a certain radius of the area. However there is nothing like the numbers anymore. Most of the area is continuously shot all year round by some people, so sows, piglets all get taken out. Plus the travelling community have also been active in and around there for sometime.
The numbers are not what they used to be, and in some respects have pushed the Boar out to other areas. The only small sanctuary is Paul McCartneys place nearby which used to have Boar on it. But rumours are around that even he has had someone to take out some of the Boar. Whether this is true or not I have no idea, but in general Wild Boar are being shot by some people all year round.
I know there are no seasons on Boar, but its about time the powers that be put a close season on them so at least piglets are not made motherless.
