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This page is concerned with how large the wild boar in Britain may grow. Such information is mainly obtained from hunting returns.
To-date the largest animal to meet its maker in Britain, that we are aware of, was estimated to weigh 518lb (234kg). However, the animal was not weighed, and the true weight is unknown. It was shot in Herefordshire, November 2008, and reported in an on-line shooting publication . The February 2009 edition of Sporting Rifle carries an account of the shooting of this animal and a photograph of it.
Another large boar, weighing 420lb (190kg), was shot recently in Scotland. This was reported in the July 2009 issue of Sporting Rifle. However, the boar was shot close to an estate (Carminnows) that breeds wild boar in larged fenced enclosures specifically to hunt. It appears there is some debate amongst the shooting fraternity as to whether this was an actual free-living wild boar, or one inside the enclosure, or even a recent escapee.
Trophy boar
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Wild boar as hunting trophies are not measured by weight but by the combined dimensions of the tusks and whetters (the upper tusks on which the lower or main tusks are sharpened). To ensure that the measurement of trophies was as objective as possible, in 1934 the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) established standard formulas for the measurement of trophies which are now internationally accepted. Known as the 'CIC Measurement Formulas', an explanation of the way the formulas are contained in this document The Game-trophies of the World, also known as the 'Red Book'. The book is written in written in English, French, German and Spanish, and the wild boar formulas are on pages 23-25.
Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded based on the total score exceeding the prescribed minimum for each class of medal. For information about how the measuring criteria are employed please see Medal categories for the game animals of the world, also known as the 'Blue book'. Wild boar classes are on page 11
Gold Medals are awarded for any boar shot in Europe with tusks scoring 120 CIC points or more and todate two boar from the Herefordshire population have achieved a Gold Medal, and one from Dorset a Bronze Medal. The Herefordshire boar mentioned above is the current record and scored 123.7 CIC points beating the previous record of 122.5 CIC points, an animal shot within a mile of the latest record and estimated by an experienced stalker to weigh about 350lbs (159kg).
The boar in the UK can clearly reach large sizes, comparable with wild boar in Eastern Europe. However, the varying genetic origin of the wild boar in the UK means that it is difficult to make comparisons with continental populations regarding the potential size the UK boar could reach. Recently, an article in a shooting publication has raised concerns that in south east England the largest boars have all been shot, and without effective management, 'trophy' boars will disappear (Sporting Rifle, Sept 2009; pages 23-25).
We welcome all information concerning the weights of trophy boar shot - please email British Wild Boar. Thank you.
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A 'trophy' boar shot from the Forest of Dean population showing the 