new to the flock Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Return of wild boar hunting urged in Britain to control growing menace Andrew Davies, The Daily Telegraph LONDON - The burgeoning wild boar population rooting around in Britain's woodlands needs to be culled to halt an impending environmental disaster, scientists say. Conservationists and wildlife specialists are calling on the British government to designate the ferocious creatures as game, paving the way for boar hunting seasons. Three hundred years after being hunted to extinction, thriving packs of wild boar --known as soundings -- have re-established themselves across Britain. It is estimated that Britain's wild boar population is already in the high hundreds and growing unabated. Along with the spread of the tusked pigs come increasing fears for the safety of humans, livestock and crops, as well as the threat of an urban invasion. In Germany, where the boars are vigorously hunted, there are up to 7,000 living in the centre of Berlin. Apart from carrying swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and bovine TB, the animals eat crops, cause traffic accidents and may, if cornered or feeling threatened, attack humans. Martin Goulding, a wild boar specialist, said designating the animals as game would allow them to be culled humanely and efficiently. "They are a threat to livestock, crops and people, but they are an important part of the woodland ecosystem,'' he said. Mr. Goulding said the creature's only predators -- wolves, bears and lynxes -- no longer exist in Britain. "There is no balance of nature with boars," he said. The wild pigs, which are common in mainland Europe, were last seen in Britain in the late 17th century. They were reintroduced in the 1980s for wild boar farming. Until the storms of 1987, none was living wild, but uprooted fencing and escapes from abattoirs led to the boars reasserting themselves, primarily across south England. Sightings have also been reported across east and northern England, and Scotland. Last December, animal rights activists released 100 from a farm in Devon. More than 50 of the escapees evaded recapture. The Game Conservancy Trust, a scientific research organization, has added its voice to the growing clamour for more controls. "We think they need to be vigorously controlled, and culling is one of the ways to do that,'' said Morag Walker, the group's spokesman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 yeah, boar are on the menu then, luckily i have a house down in devon near where they were released. i wander where wil comercialise it first in england flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 I have only one house in a council estate in Scotland........I`m going to be the first up here to have a driven day for "Pigs in Knickers",they`re like wid boar......only wilder :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 There are quite a few of them roaming around Kent. What a lot of people don't appreciate is, that they are predominantly nocturnal and are brilliant at hiding away in the daytime, making themselves almost impossible to find. Despite the East Kent Hunt and the Wye Beagles working areas that are known to have wild pigs about, neither packs have ever flushed any. Yet I know of two that were shot from portable high seats near Pluckley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunganick Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 i know one has been shot on one of my syndicate piece of land in a place called hellingly (not sure what county :*) ) there are pleanty around tenterden, i remember as a child going on the 'santa express' and seeing them in the woods along the track, escapee's from the local farms. i also have relatives in biddenden who own a farm there and have seen them. so they are there no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Id love to slap one with a 140 grain SP, 6.5 X 55 bullet. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubertus Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 you guys will get some really got sport if they spread all over the country :blink: just joking. They are really fertile and the increase can be from 100-400% of the winter population. Much more then all deer species. In Germany the population is now ten times higher then 20 years ago. Here are shot every year round about half of a million boar. They have big benefit on the growth of maize on the fields which is now also x time more then years ago. That provides food and cover which is quite important. Also the oaks and beech trees have now every 2-4 years a full mast with acorns. Years ago it was only every 4-8 years. That provides lots of food for them. But i dont think, that they will spread over all england. There is not everywhere wood what they really need to cover. They do make a lot of damages to the agriculture but there are no danger for humans in normal case. It was written in the article but that is not really true. They can be quite agressive if they are wounded or if they are driven into narroweness and fight for there live or if they have piglets. But for foot passenger there is no danger at all. In normal case they run like hell if they smell a human. If not it would be VERY easy to shoot them. Boar hunting is for me one of the excitingst hunting. Stalking or driven day. But if you go stalking for them its mainly at night while moon. Really nice. Hubertus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Nick, Hellingly is in Sussex :blink: I certainly havent seen any around this way, good job too it would probably frighten the life out of me. :*) What would the minimum calibre requirement be for these .243? I understand they take some stopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wookie Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Only on this forum would an environmental disaster be looked on as a positive boon to the sport! Wookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 It was debated in the sporting presses that 7mm is best but the 6.5 is also well capable of despatching them cleanly. What do you use Hubertus? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 (edited) What would the minimum calibre requirement be for these .243? I understand they take some stopping. No way Axe! Look up trips in Europe, they specify some pretty heavy calibres as a min. I would love to go but when I have looked into it the 6.5 didn't meet the minimum spec. 'Drillings' are the favourite tool, combined rifle + single slug shotgun for when don't kill it you just **** it off even more and it comes staright at you :blink: I was told a story (first hand, not one of 'those' stories) of somone who did that on his first trip, it died abou 5 feet away from killing him. He then produces the picture of the boar! it is the size of a bloody cow, 'kin massive - very scary... Think that is an exageration? have a look at these: Big Pigs Edited March 2, 2006 by stuartp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Flash, The boar are on Exmoor, your house (presumabaly your parents house?) is near Dartmoor so I don't think they won't have made it over there just yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Those are mahusive stuart :blink: Whats size are the critters we have here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I don't think they are anywhere as bit as those, I forgot all about the Exmoor ones when we were down there stalking last month - then they got mentioned in the pub. So the locals are out looking for them, and probably feeding up them knowing that lot down there :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesf Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I have found 150gr .308 behind the ear seems to keep them quiet! with no flesh damage. Mind you - most of these Exmoor escapees are barely big enough to make a pound of sausages, but they can dig like a JCB, make a mess of a grass field overnight. Dusk seems to be the best time when they come out and the old S & B 8x56 picks them out very well. Very, Very lampshy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted March 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Most places are saying use a large calibre because their clients have no idea of pig anatomy. Many pigs are killed cleanly with shotguns loaded with slugs all the way down to the .410. Personally I like using my 6.5x55 because I like shooting it. Besides if it can kill , moose, white tails and bears I believe it can kill pigs :blink: . Would you like a guide of pig anatomy posted? NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I have found 150gr .308 behind the ear seems to keep them quiet! with no flesh damage. Mind you - most of these Exmoor escapees are barely big enough to make a pound of sausages, but they can dig like a JCB, make a mess of a grass field overnight. Dusk seems to be the best time when they come out and the old S & B 8x56 picks them out very well. Very, Very lampshy. Have you had any from down your way les? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Would you like a guide of pig anatomy posted? NTTF Yes please :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubertus Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 It was debated in the sporting presses that 7mm is best but the 6.5 is also well capable of despatching them cleanly.What do you use Hubertus? I use .308 Win. But also have used 9,3x62 and 8x68 S. In normal case a 6,5x55 is absolut fine for piglets (between 10 and 40kg) and yearlings (between 30-70kg). Only problem is with bigger boar and the biggest problem is if the bullet is not at the right place. Boar are the hardest game in Europe. They run like hell with a bad shot. No comparison to deer. Hubertus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted March 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 (edited) lesf: If you are going to lamp pigs, use a red light, as it does not seem to bother them. Most feeder sites have solar powered red lights set up for shooting. Feeders can be elaborate battery powered speaders with timers, or a piece of refillable plastic sewer pipe with holes to allow corn to spill out of. The pipe is fastened to a tree at one end and the hogs bang the pipe to release the corn. Place the feeders in an area that is well traveled or by an active wallow, and then use a high seat for your self. NTTF Edited March 2, 2006 by new to the flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubertus Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I don't think they are anywhere as bit as those, You are exactly right. The more east you go the bigger the pigs. Hubertus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenbears10 Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Would you like a guide of pig anatomy posted? NTTF Yes please :blink: And me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubertus Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I have found 150gr .308 behind the ear seems to keep them quiet! Dont do that again. The target behind the Ear is very very small! If you miss only 5 centimeter you cause big suffer for the animal and you will never get it. Best shot is the one on the shoulder or right behind the shoulder. Shoot always a little bit lower. The boar have his heart quite low. And it also appears higher then it is because of his long hair (wrong word) at the back. Greetings Hubertus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenbears10 Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Andrew Davies, The Daily Telegraph In Germany, where the boars are vigorously hunted, there are up to 7,000 living in the centre of Berlin. That can't be right can it? 7000 boar living in town :blink: Do they have their own bars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Would you like a guide of pig anatomy posted? That would be great, do you have one for Fox too? :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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