French woodland. Which one were you aiming at?
Email received from a contributor to the site:"There was a close one further away to the west a while ago. A chap nightwatching badgers all camouflaged up in the hedgerow. The fox shooter saw a set of GREEN eyes and nearly let fly. The green eyes were the reflection of the light coming out the Night Vision binoculars the badger watcher was using."
- we add this email because on the Continent far more people are injured by wild boar hunters than by wild boar themselves. With the increasing numbers of shooters in the UK having wild boar on their tickets now, sadly it may only be a matter of time before someone is mistakenly shot. As our contributor stated, all night and day time wildlife watchers can maximise their safety by simply staying on land that they have permission and politely letting the landowner know they are there that evening.
Wild boar crossing a ride in a French woodland. Which one were you aiming at?
After considerable deliberation we also attach 3 minutes of video footage showing a wild boar shot by a hunter in Germany, 
which has not been cleanly killed. It is not excessively gory but blood is clearly visible, and the animal is seen in its death throes. Obviously we are aware of the emotive issues raised. The reason we show the video is simply to comply with this website’s aim of being ‘non-judgemental, non-moralistic and to report factually on all the issues surrounding Britain's returning wild boar population’. We do not condone nor condemn the shooting of wild boar. The relevant fact is that an injured wild boar is a very dangerous wild boar, and that free-living wild boar in Britain are being shot, thus it is in everyone’s interest to ensure that every kill is a clean kill, which is not easy with wild boar. The video exemplifies why rifles of sufficiently heavy calibre (.270 with 180 grn bullet or bigger) should be used and the unacceptable consequences of not following this advice.
We welcome feedback on this video emailed to British Wild Boar, along the lines of ‘Yes - leave it on the website, it is important to know’ or ‘No - remove it, it is unnecessary and only detracts from more important issues’. Thank-you.
Please be aware this video shows a wild boar in a corn field dying from repeated gun shots, do not watch this video if you will be disturbed by this material. To view the video click Media Player
Wild boar free-living in Britain are not protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are therefore a legitimate hunting target. Their fearsome reputation and valuable meat provide a powerful attraction to hunters. Local game dealers and butchers have profited from this unexpected business, since wild boar meat is regarded as a delicacy and commands a high price. Wild boar thus have a resource potential as a sporting target and food source.
Catch me if you can!
In Britain, the fact that wild boar shooting is a ‘free for all’ raises animal and public welfare issues. For example, the lack of a close season has resulted in lactating sows being shot, which has presumably left unweaned piglets to starve to death. Animals are also shot with weapons of inadequate calibre because carcasses skinned prior to butchering have been found with lead pellets embedded from a previous shooting. Public safety issues are raised as a wounded animal can be dangerous and the large-calibre rifles required to kill wild boar are lethal at long distances. The majority of animals are shot at night when they are in the open so the line of fire behind the target animal is not visible should the shot miss.
Thus, if the wild boar population is allowed to persist, some form of regulation of hunting would be desirable for both animal welfare and public safety reasons.
The internal organs of a wild boar .
Current Laws on Guns and Wild Boar
Advice from the Home Office to all Police Forces concerning Firearm Laws are contained in the booklet Firearms Law - Guidance to the Police. Wild boar get a mention:
- starting page 68, section 13.25 - Other Animals: "Authority may be requested to shoot animals which fall outside the scope of usual types of game or vermin, for example feral goat or wild boar. The type of rifle authorised should be appropriate to the quarry species, for example .270, .30-06 or.308 or greater for wild boar. For feral goats,DEFRA advise the use of a minimum calibre of .243 with a bullet weight of 100 grains to be humane. However, individual bullet weights should not be stipulated on certificates. Expanding ammunition should be authorised for this purpose. Hunting potentially dangerous animals with larger calibre rifles requires particular skill, and applicants should generally have experience of firearms. Applicants should put forward specific named land and a request or authority from the owner/occupier to shoot the species concerned".
- starting page 70, section 13.36 - Humane Killing: "The use of solid slug ammunition for shot guns should normally be authorised only for staff on wild boar farms or other farming establishments,though veterinary surgeons may also have a need for solid slug to destroy large animals such as bulls".
- starting page 71, section 13.38 - Slaughtering: "The slaughter of animals for human consumption will often be carried out using captive-bolt instruments that are not considered “firearms” for legal purposes. However, authorisation to possess and acquire a free-bullet slaughtering instrument may normally be granted to proprietors of slaughterhouses, knackermen, deer and wild boar farmers, master butchers, and farmers, smallholders and crofters who need to slaughter their own animals. Expanding ammunition should also be authorised for this purpose".
Just for interest, I note that the Home Office (page 77) in the section 'Good Reason to Possess a Firearm', wild boar are classed as "Larger Quarry" along with feral goat, deer, and other similar sized quarry and not as "Dangerous Game" which are lion, elephant, buffalo, bear etc.
Spurred on by a particularly helpful firearms officer in the Sussex force, We contacted Police Forces in all 'wild boar areas' enquiring of their current policy regarding wild boar. Replies received to-date are posted below:
The bone structure of a wild boar
The Current Situation by County
1. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary - A response from the Acting Manager Firearms & Explosive Licensing Manager
"This force's policy is to deal with each request to have boar on certificate individually - if the applicant can show evidence of the boar being present then we will consider allowing it."
2. Hampshire Constabulary A response from the Firearms & Explosives Licensing Officer.
"In Hampshire we would consider each application on its merits taking into account the Home Office Guidance."
3. Sussex - One of Sussex police's 12 Firearms Officers, Graham Woods, woodsfeo@tiscali.co.uk
has kindly clarified the current legal position on shooting wild boar in the Sussex area.
Firearm Certificates
It is illegal to shoot wild boar without having a firearms certificate that specifically states 'Wild Boar' on it.
A certificate to shoot wild boar is are only granted for .308 .270 and 30/06 calibre weapons. Note that solid slug for use in a 12 bore also has to be on a firearms certificate.
Before a certificate is issued, the land on which the applicant is applying to shoot wild boar on, will be surveyed for signs of wild boar prior to a certificate being issued.
Persons applying for FACs will have to satisfy the Enquiry Officer that they are genuine and experienced in many aspects.
Penalties
Possession of even illegal ammunition, let alone an illegal weapon, can now have a mandatory five-year prison sentence, or even longer if a Judge deems it necessary.
Graham points out that the Force investigates wild boar carcasses that are illegally shot. Bullets collected from illegally shot animals are saved, catalogued and can be matched ballistically to rifles if needs be.
(Just for interest, the Italians appear to be particularly keen in this area, see DNA forensics and the poaching of wildlife [wild boar] in Italy : A case study)
Points of Interest
Graham notes that in the Sussex area it appears a balance between shooting and conservation is practised with an informal agreement between most of the responsible hunters who do not shoot after February. They try to cull out the young males and leave the older boars for stock improvement.
The Firearms Officer also points out that he investigates wild boar carcasses that are illegally shot. Bullets collected from illegally shot animals are saved, catalogued and can be matched ballistically to rifles if needs be.
Graham points out that people need to realise that some poachers are also burglars, so if in the Sussex area and in doubt, send in the vehicle registration number [colour and type helps]. Sussex Police can investigate thousands a day, telephone 0845 6070999 or email direct at Centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk to save waiting on the phone the email will be acknowledged generally within a few hours once it has been graded etc. Keep it concise with facts, vehicle descriptions and number of people direction of travel. The innocent have nothing to fear.
Graham himself is always interested to here of poaching activities in the sussex area woodsfeo@tiscali.co.uk
We appreciate Graham's dedication and commitment to public and animal welfare issues surrounding the wild boar.
If you have any views on this topic or other information to add, we would be delighted to add it to this page. Site email address: British Wild Boar.
Communications to web site.
Received March 2008.
(On the subject of people getting accidently shot out in the wilds)
Seeing deer or boar stalkers in the field is often rarer than seeing your chosen wildlife. If you really want to know about a creature why not ask the man who studies it in the field the most? This contributor knows for a fact of one boar watcher who has fed, this winter [2008] gone, over 4 tons of scrumptious rolled oats to keep a sounder of wild boar happy and healthy.The other benefactors being deer, badger and woodland wild birds.
Bear in mind also that a Boar Manager may have spent the last 6 hours sitting motionless in the frost or sleet waiting to put out of its suffering a badly injured animal from a recent car crash. Thus they might seem a bit peeved about people taking a shortcut where they should not be, and scaring off some poor beast that the Boar Manager has finally located, which may have been in agony for days. There are enough shooter tales over the years to fill a book regarding strange encounters in the wilds. Rutting small deer in the bushes have sometimes been found to be rutting horizontal humans.
The boar are a wonderful addition to our woodland wildlife and it is up to all of us to be sensible to ensure their rightful place here. Would it be too much to ask for a Close Season for them? I cannot find one person so far who would object to this. Are you really prepared, as is the case right now March 2008, to let sows that are just about to farrow be lawfully shot and thus have four or five fully formed piglets die in the womb? For heavens sake this is the UK 2008 and these highly intelligent creatures deserve better than pre-historic savagery. I note and applaud Charles's comments below - the boar need more people like him.
I am sure there are similarly thoughtfull folk out there but we tend to watch and just read -dont we?? - rather than actually spend half an hour typing with one finger to let the world know we care. If a muppet like me can get printed on this site I am sure you the reader can also help out with your views -they do count. DEFRA has recently seemingly stepped back from the debate and left the welfare of the boar in our local park so to speak.
Power to the Porkers.................but they need your help to write or type.
Regards, Gunter
Received August 2007.
I feel that it is a great shame that people are that stupid as to shoot wild boar with shotguns, unless using solid slug, which is by the way subject to Police authorisation.
I have been stalking wild boar in Germany and here in the UK and I hold a German hunting licence (Jagdschein). In all my experience the boar once aware that they are being hunted become very shy and even the click of the safety catch on a rifle can be just enough to send them running for cover. I find the idea of lamping any animal wrong as there is no clear backdrop.
I on the other hand have adopted a German management programme, whereby I never shoot females unless they are yearlings and where there numbers are many, only then would I shoot a smaller female within the group, I would never ever shoot a leading female. In the summer months I shoot yearling males and mature boar and leave the cull of all females until well into October.
I have found that the boar in general in this country are reacting just like those in Europe and are no longer available at any time of day, the females tend to move at dusk while the mature males only move once the sun has gone down. This I think will cause a management problem in itself.
In Europe the management of boar is carried out through drives, which here in the UK will never find favour (I hope) or, which is the norm, from high seats or towers. I only use tower or ladder seats from where a safe shot can be taken at very close range, no more than 50 yards.
The whole management problem rests, not only from a general lack of knowledge, but also that of how to best shoot and to do so safely! In Europe the majority of hunters go out at full moon and shoot boar, I also do this, but I use very expensive night vision equipment so that although I shoot at night, it is in every respect no different to daylight shooting. I believe that if we do not allow some sort of regulated night shooting we will not achieve the cull figures that will keep a very robust animal under control and at manageable numbers.
I urge the following:
1. That no calibre is used under .308.
2. That all shooting must be from high seats.
3. No lamping of boar.
4. That the animal be given a close season.
5. That night shooting from high seats be allowed, provided that this is done at or very near to full moon.
6. That the use of night vision equipment is encouraged and that "5" above be subject to the use of NV sights.
In this way a proper management system can be implemented and control of this magnificent animal be conducted in a safe, responsible and above all tried and tested method, as is done throughout Europe.
I must say that I feel that it is a pity that DEFRA do not introduce a hunting licence like in Europe for which a proper national examination is taken, and this should include rifle and shotgun proficiency. Rather drastic maybe, but we have a duty of care and a need in the face of political pressure from anti gun and shooting groups to become highly educated, skilled in the welfare, management of wild animals and their habitat.
Best regards
Charles
Received April 2007.
Regarding the discourse below by the gentlemen on correct calibres for wild boar:-
both writers are probably correct. It would appear that a minimum Muzzle Energy of 2,400 ft/lbs is the guidance at the time of writing (April 2007).
This figure is derived from the weight of the bullet multiplied by is muzzle velocity [squared] divided by the acceleration of gravity [450,400]. For example, and using the minimum calibre generally accepted, a .270 Winchester firing a 150 grain bullet at 2,800 feet per second would give figures of: 150 X 2,800 X 2,800 divided by 450,400 which gives 2611 ft/lbs.
Trying not to nit-pick here but there may be an anomoly regarding bullet type whereby old Big Game Hunters are adamant that only a Full Metal Jacket [FMJ] should be used on really large boar as opposed to only the expanding ammunition presently recommended.
Now a harsh reality; Evidence appears to exist in March 2007 of a badly wounded wild boar that had to be culled having been shot and only wounded with a smaller than allowed calibre bullet, resulting in days of unneccessary suffering and sadly the loss of the six fully formed piglets that she was carrying. There is apparently an ongoing investigation into this incident by the Police. The RSPCA were contacted but showed no interest 'Have not got the resources' is a pathetic response. DEFRA were informed but apparently to-date have not even responded to a request for a statement regarding the present situation regarding wild boar - that is a terrible.
Nice to see our charitable donations and taxes building large plush offices that appear to be lacking any initiative or genuine care for these magnificent creatures.
Received Mar 2007.
As far as I know most of the Firearms Certificates granted to shoot Wild Boar in Sussex are conditioned that they are to be shot from a high seat thus ensuring maximum safety and use of backdrop. A 'Land Suitability Report' is compiled by the Firearms Licencing Enquiry Officer for the specific details of each application and every piece of land that they are shot on. Recommendations are put on the report as to directions of fire, whether high seats are essential, care with footpaths, bridleways, roads, buildings, stock, etc.
It is, quite rightly, the shooters responsibility at the end of the day as to whether a shot is safe to take.
The licenced boar shooters in Sussex are to be commended for their professionalism and the largely unseen and subtle service they provide free of charge in their management of the boar. Particularly in dealing with the ones injured by cars and occasionally the odd one who gets somewhere where he should not be - such as someones domestic pig pen or allotment. Without their efforts perhaps the boar would be seen as an ever increasing nuisance rather than them having their place in the wilder parts of the countryside. The odd Keeper usually has a bit of a sense of humour about all his pheasant feeding bins being severely bashed and emptied all in one go.
Received Feb 2007.
It might be worth pointing out that the calibres referred to in Graham's notes must be just those that the East Sussex police approve. I have shot boar with a .458 approved by West Mercia Police and there are a number of other larger calibres that the police might approve.
Current Home Office Guidelines to Firearms Officers recommend that only rifles of .270 calibre or larger are certificated to include boar and I think that there is also a minimum bullet weight recommendation. There is no mention of any specific calibre apart from that.
I think that the .308, .270 and .30-06 might be identified by the Sussex police because they are calibres likely to be in use by local deerstalkers and approving these would not involve licencing a new weapon just for boar. I think that 6 x 55, 6 x 57, 7 x 57, .375 and .275 would all be suitable ballistically and larger than the guidelines recommendation of a minimum calibre.