Wild boar on the increase ?

[mudman]

Without having my boots on the ground so to speak and only looking at what I can read online it 'appears' as if only the forest of Dean population is strong.

Stalkers are worse than fisherman for keeping things to themselves but apart from the possibly those in parts of SW Scotland other isolated populations do not seem to be doing so well ?? They seem to be under a lot of shooting pressure both sporting and by those who who wuld gladly see them eliminated.

I would be interested to know if one of the original escape sites on the Sussess/Kent border still has a thriving boar population? or have they been hit too hard. Similarily all those that were released in Devon, did they ever get a foothold, or have they effectively been 'controlled' to none existence??

I have the impression that with so many landowners wanting them gone/dead and with so many shooters willing to do their bidding that the wild boar population in the UK is not in anyway thriving (except for FOD).

 

[Andypph]

Without having my boots on the ground so to speak and only looking at what I can read online it 'appears' as if only the forest of Dean population is strong.

Stalkers are worse than fisherman for keeping things to themselves but apart from the possibly those in parts of SW Scotland other isolated populations do not seem to be doing so well ?? They seem to be under a lot of shooting pressure both sporting and by those who who wuld gladly see them eliminated.

I would be interested to know if one of the original escape sites on the Sussess/Kent border still has a thriving boar population? or have they been hit too hard. Similarily all those that were released in Devon, did they ever get a foothold, or have they effectively been 'controlled' to none existence??

I have the impression that with so many landowners wanting them gone/dead and with so many shooters willing to do their bidding that the wild boar population in the UK is not in anyway thriving (except for FOD).

 

[sikamalc]

Without having my boots on the ground so to speak and only looking at what I can read online it 'appears' as if only the forest of Dean population is strong.

Stalkers are worse than fisherman for keeping things to themselves but apart from the possibly those in parts of SW Scotland other isolated populations do not seem to be doing so well ?? They seem to be under a lot of shooting pressure both sporting and by those who who wuld gladly see them eliminated.

I would be interested to know if one of the original escape sites on the Sussess/Kent border still has a thriving boar population? or have they been hit too hard. Similarily all those that were released in Devon, did they ever get a foothold, or have they effectively been 'controlled' to none existence??

I have the impression that with so many landowners wanting them gone/dead and with so many shooters willing to do their bidding that the wild boar population in the UK is not in anyway thriving (except for FOD).

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.

 

[8x57]

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.

I agree with you Malc that there should be a season for boar, in fact I would go slightly further and suggest that the deer acts probably need to be amended to give boar proper protection from the unscrupulous and unethical who use totally unsuitable firearms and even airguns, but how many others would go along with this idea and are quite happy with the current free for all that's going on. How about starting a poll so as to gauge opinion?

 

[nun_hunter]

In the Sussex/Kent area apart from Ashdown Forest (woodland and open areas) there aren't any really large single owned pieces of land that the boar could get a stronghold in like FOD so they get shot heavily on most small parcels of woodland and then dispersed and moved on until shot on another piece of land. From speaking to friends who have boar on ground they shoot they all say poaching is rife with people coming onto their ground almost nightly looking for boar. Just like a mature fallow buck the mentality is "if I don't shoot it someone else will" so they get shot before they establish themselves.

Obviously my opinion is that of a recreational hunter and someone who respects all wildlife and the need for seasons etc and fully appreciate that a farmer making a living from the land will have a different opinion as they directly affect their livelihood.

 

[mereside]

Malc I asked about the best practice for wild boar being updated when we sat and re amended the dogs for deer as it is woefully inadequate, I believe there should be an amendment for wild boar and seasons with proper legislation but this at this time isn't happening from what was said. my opinion is they want to keep it this way so they have more ways to keep numbers low and not let them get out of hand, you give them seasons and similar status to deer then they cannot control them with the methods they want.
Although the powers at be have spoken about wild boar, gone over to Europe to understand them more I don't think things will change as numbers are definitely increasing despite certain areas being pushed out.
I say it time and again though that shooting the wrong animals only increases the spread and numbers in other areas, also proper legislation is needed for wounded boar as they always travel large distances and sec25 doesn't cover wild boar, many regards Wayne

 

[Penyard]

There are definitely less boar on my ground which is where the very original FOD escapee boar first became established. FC, poachers and everybody with a gun of any flavor is having a go at them, often with little regard for ethics. A good friend who I took out as a guest shot one on my ground a fortnight ago, first this year. Had 12 last year, 10 years ago more like 30+ a year.

Seems like there are still good numbers in the main Dean and especially Lyndney side but I’m not seeing the apocalyptic boar explosion some would have us believe.

They need a closed season, statutory minimum calibre and promotion/development of best practice in their management rather than the current Wild West approach.

 

[sikamalc]

My own personal opinion is that there should be a close season for sows and piglets. Poaching will always be an issue, whether its deer or Boar, in both cases neither carcases are checked for disease when poached animals are involved.
However if Boar are doing substantial damage out of season on crops they should be treated the same as deer in the same situation.

 

[Dexter]

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.

But we don't have a close season for muntjac so what's the difference? I have extremely limited knowledge of wild pigs (I understand that other sows will come into season if the main girl is culled) but surely it's easier to avoid culling a sow with piglets than it is to avoid culling a munty doe with a dependant? Therefore, do we really need a close season?
The FC can't control their numbers as it is. Do they need further restrictions which will only make their job harder?

 

[Penyard]

Please take the boar apocalypse predictions with a huge pinch of salt. Our forefathers wiped them out with dogs and pointy sticks and if it really did come to it, culling can be increased but this needs to be done in a coordinated well managed fashion, not the current free for all.

The FC have 4 rangers covering a huge area but do have extra FC resource in for boar or certainly have in the past. We simply do not have the habitat to support boar across most of the UK countryside. There have been boar here for over 20 years and the first ever one got shot on my mates Farm last year that is only 1 mile from where there have been boar from day one. Yes, they’ve successfully spread down Wye Valley in to Monmouthshire but that’s due to habitat. They haven’t spread up the Wye Valley because there’s a town in the way and no woodland.

 

[nun_hunter]

Boar have been in the Kent/Sussex area for 30 years and even though their range may be wider than it was the numbers certainly have dwindled due to the shooting pressure and there being no single large expanses of woodland for them tk become established in. This is where the habitat in the UK differs from a lot of Europe so the spread isnt going to be the same as there or the probkems as widespread. Unfortunately for thise farming around the FOD where there is a stronghold they will suffer but thise only slightly further afield dont (and probably won't) have a problem.

 

[sikamalc]

According to my contact who has made a study of the Boar since day one, they are to be found in every county along the south coast. Maybe not in any huge numbers at present but he insists that given time they will show in numbers?? The fact that they are or can be very elusive and are mostly nocturnal is quite possibly the main reason why they can go undetected for a while?

Needless to say there are always rumours about Wild Boar in certain areas being seen. Even in West Sussex where I am based a good dal of the year I have yet to see any substantial evidence of Boar. However there are and have been numerous reports of them being seen, and I have no doubt the odd one maybe about. Towns don't seem to over bother boar, but I would imagine a major motorway might?

Time will tell I guess.

 

[8x57]

The FC can't control their numbers as it is.

That depends on who you listen to.

Please take the boar apocalypse predictions with a huge pinch of salt. Our forefathers wiped them out with dogs and pointy sticks and if it really did come to it, culling can be increased but this needs to be done in a coordinated well managed fashion, not the current free for all.

The FC have 4 rangers covering a huge area but do have extra FC resource in for boar or certainly have in the past. We simply do not have the habitat to support boar across most of the UK countryside. There have been boar here for over 20 years and the first ever one got shot on my mates Farm last year that is only 1 mile from where there have been boar from day one. Yes, they’ve successfully spread down Wye Valley in to Monmouthshire but that’s due to habitat. They haven’t spread up the Wye Valley because there’s a town in the way and no woodland.

The couple of rangers that I have spoken to some time ago have said much the same and they don't expect them to spread much further in any great numbers in the near future. This is quite a different picture to what the Deer Initiative would have you believe if you look at their distribution maps.

As usual rumour, local gossip and internet speculation are all far more interesting.

 

[Dexter]

Well 8x57, I spoke to two of them two weeks ago and they are undermanned and over worked. Fighting a losing battle I'm afraid. Whether they spread any further I didn't ask. However the numbers in The FoD are out of control and getting worse. The general public don't help their cause at all until they're directly affected (but then, that's the same all across our little island).

 

[Penyard]

Dexter, I type this looking out of my Kitchen window at the edge of the Forest of Dean and cannot see any wild boar or evidence of them. My farm borders the FoD and it is 7 months since I last saw a boar on my land. FC Rangers in Norfolk may not be best placed to provide accurate details of wild boar populations 200 miles away?

 

[Penyard]

Well I should have kept my mouth shut. Sounder of boar been out rooting in the winter oats last night! First to put a trotter on the place in 7 months but guess I was tempting fate with my last post?!

 

[baguio]

FC Rangers in Norfolk may not be best placed to provide accurate details of wild boar populations 200 miles away?

​

Who said that they were FC Rangers from Norfolk? I was speaking to two of the Fod Rangers. Spent several days with them.

Well I should have kept my mouth shut. Sounder of boar been out rooting in the winter oats last night! First to put a trotter on the place in 7 months but guess I was tempting fate with my last post?!

Oops. Looks like you put your trotter in it there!

 

[Penyard]

Baguio, I was replying to Dexter. Fascinating that FC Rangers from here are telling you that the boar apocalypse is coming yet the one I see fairly regularly is of a different view?

 

[baguio]

Baguio, I was replying to Dexter. Fascinating that FC Rangers from here are telling you that the boar apocalypse is coming yet the one I see fairly regularly is of a different view?

Sorry, replying tyo a different thread. They didn't mention a boar apocalypse to me though. Simply that they were struggling to cope as they were spread too thin. I totally get that as many of us have the same problem juggling day jobs, stalking jobs and family life. 4 Rangers between 11,00 Hectares is going to be hard going for sure. Add public access issues and it sounds like a losing battle to me.

 

[willowbank]

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.

Totally agree on a close season, Bluebell til Blackberry time would give them a chance. I met Derek Harman at Wittersham just before his book was published.
What he doesn’t know about Wild Boar is isn’t worth knowing.

Atb WB.