Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

French hunters urged to declare war on the boar
BBC ^ | December 23, 2010 | Hugh Schofield

Posted on 12/24/2010 3:01:34 PM PST by decimon

Wild boars roam the oak forests and shrublands of Europe, Asia and north Africa. These large, bristly haired pigs are the ancestors of our farmyard pigs which have been domesticated for thousands of years. Their four, continually growing tusks are kept sharp for fighting off other males during the breeding season. Injuries inflicted can be severe, especially after a powerful charge.

French farmers and forestry experts are at a loss to explain a dramatic rise in the numbers of wild boar, apparently linked to increased fertility among the female animals.

Last winter, hunters across the country killed a record 560,000 boar - 10 times more than they were shooting 30 years ago.

But the population is easily replacing itself, and now stands at well over a million.

The problem is not just that the animals cause severe damage to crops and meadowland.

They are also beginning to encroach on areas inhabited by humans. Omnivorous, adaptable and highly mobile, wild boar have been increasingly spotted in town streets and gardens in recent years.

In 2009, they were responsible for nearly 21,000 road accidents across the country. Neighbouring countries including Germany and Italy reported similar problems. Now it is up to the hunters to keep the wild boar population under control

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Outdoors; Pets/Animals; Sports
KEYWORDS: banglist; hunting
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-90 next last
To: calex59

When my tank unit went to Grafenwohr we would have them running between cots in the tents on the firing ranges while we were sleeping. Turn on a flashlight and all cain would break loose as they rushed out!


61 posted on 12/24/2010 5:48:50 PM PST by 17th Miss Regt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: 17th Miss Regt

Yep, those were the days, freezing a** in Graf and Hoenfels. I was in Armor also, M48A1s and after the Summer of 1961, M60s.


62 posted on 12/24/2010 6:07:32 PM PST by calex59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: calex59

Mid 70s here, M60A1s.


63 posted on 12/24/2010 6:11:41 PM PST by 17th Miss Regt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Chunga

As I said, a omnivore is a carnivore - when the opportunity presents...


64 posted on 12/24/2010 6:12:53 PM PST by patton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Daralundy
The usual reason for an increase in number of animals is an increase in the food supply.

And/or a decrease in predation or disease, etc.

65 posted on 12/24/2010 6:19:12 PM PST by Straight Vermonter (Posting from deep behind the Maple Curtain)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: 9422WMR
I'd like to find a place up around Amarillo, that wouldn't be too far to drive to kill a pig. Would be a hoot!

BTW, I once had a 9422 XTR, sweet little rifle. I hocked it when my son was born ‘cause I needed cash. Never did get it back. Goes in my top 10 list of stupid things I did.

Merry Christmas!

66 posted on 12/24/2010 6:53:58 PM PST by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: JRandomFreeper

I’d like to find a place up around Amarillo, that wouldn’t be too far to drive to kill a pig. Would be a hoot!

Merry Christmas!


67 posted on 12/24/2010 6:54:43 PM PST by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: katana

I read they all have to be tested now for radiation because some of the boars originate and then emmigrate from Russia and I guess they picked up the radiation from the big leak and now they are showing up in Germany.


68 posted on 12/24/2010 7:24:08 PM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Chunga
"Who can eat carnivore? It's one step from scavenger."

Yeah, I'm with you. People give me bear, other game. I get grossed out.

I rather my meat should come shrink wrapped and cut up by Perdue.

In defense of eating scavengers, I'm ready to do my part ridding the world of lobsters.

69 posted on 12/24/2010 7:26:27 PM PST by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: billorites
I'm ready to do my part ridding the world of lobsters.

HEY!

70 posted on 12/24/2010 7:37:09 PM PST by ROCKLOBSTER (Celebrate Republicans Freed the Slaves Month)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: 12Gauge687

Heh, bag two or three, dress the out, trade with a neighbor for nice brandy or what have you..not sure how many country fellas are left in France but some apple brandy for a reduced to possession wild boar.

I believe boars and hogs have up to 3 litters per yr.


71 posted on 12/24/2010 7:40:01 PM PST by padre35 (You shall not ignore the laws of God, the Market, the Jungle, and Reciprocity Rm10.10)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: ROCKLOBSTER

I'll bring buddah.

72 posted on 12/24/2010 7:52:49 PM PST by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: patton
"As I said, a omnivore is a carnivore - when the opportunity presents..."

I think that's how Ricky Martin got in trouble.

73 posted on 12/24/2010 7:57:06 PM PST by billorites (freepo ergo sum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: billorites

You’re a bad bad man.


74 posted on 12/24/2010 8:01:00 PM PST by ROCKLOBSTER (Celebrate Republicans Freed the Slaves Month)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Sacajaweau

“I know they don’t taste like chicken...Gimme a clue....”

I have hunted and eaten wild boar from Texas and California. It is some of the most delicious pork that I have had. It is a little more chewy, and is very lean. It also has an excellent flavor.


75 posted on 12/24/2010 8:10:09 PM PST by marktwain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: beebuster2000
we were served raw pork in germany apparantly they dont have trichinosis there

A Mettigel (raw ground pork formed into the shape of a hedgehog - guess because it looks cute; served with onion on breadroll halves, usually):

Pork is screened for trichinosis before being marketed. Of course, nothing is 100% safe.

76 posted on 12/24/2010 8:33:28 PM PST by Moltke ('Tis very strange. - Hamlet)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: billorites

Hmm. Lynx are a protected species in Washington. Off hand I don’t don’t know where you can legally hunt them in the USA. Perhaps in Canada. Where was it taken?


77 posted on 12/24/2010 9:26:31 PM PST by Jack Black ( Whatever is left of American patriotism is now identical with counter-revolution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: MileHi
Are there pigs in North TX?

Pigs? I think you mean wild hogs.

Yes, we've got 'em in North Texas. I live at the end of rural road and several times hunters have rolled up and asked if they could go through my place go get to the countryside where the wild hogs are.

78 posted on 12/24/2010 9:56:19 PM PST by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Farmer Dean

I was chased up a tree by one on Cumberland Island in Georgia. Dicey moment there. All I had was a 3 inch knife.


79 posted on 12/24/2010 10:51:54 PM PST by aliquando (A Scout is T, L, H, F, C, K, O, C, T, B, C, and R.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: MileHi
I'll ask around. I have ex-inlaws and ex-outlaws around Amarillo. I don't have any personal knowledge of porcine intrusions up there.

/johnny

80 posted on 12/24/2010 11:46:31 PM PST by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-90 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson