1. Are wild boar native to the UK?

Wild boar used to be native, but they became extinct about 300years ago due to habitat loss and overhunting.

2. I have heard about the potential re introduction of former native animals such as wolves to the UK have wild boar been re introduced deliberately?

No. Most of the animals have escaped from animal parks or wild boar farms. These animals have now bred and the population is increasing.

3. Do wild boar have any natural predators in the UK?

No. Wild boar have no predators in the UK except man.

4. Are wild boar protected by law?

Currently there are no specific provisions giving formal legal protection to wild boar or controlling their management and culling. However animals caught in traps are protected against unnecessary suffering by the Animal  Welfare Act 2006. Wild boar living freely in the wild are protected against specific acts of cruelty by the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996.

5. Can I keep wild boar on some fields that I own?

Wild boar or their hybrid offspring can only be kept under a licence issued in accordance with the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Premises where they are  kept are subject to inspection to see that they are secure and that the animals are properly cared for. Licences are obtainable from the relevant Local Authority. The keeping of wild boar for exhibition to the public in wildlife and farm parks is covered by the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

6. I would like to have wild boar running free on my estate/ farm where there is ample suitable woodland habitat? Can I simply buy some animals from a nearby wild boar farm and release them on my land?

The release of wild animals including non-native species is controlled by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Part 1 section 14 of the Act makes it an offence to release, or allow to escape in to the wild, any animal of a kind which is “Not ordinarily resident in and is not a regular visitor to Great Britain in a wild state”.
 
Section 27 then defines a number of terms used in Part 1, but strangely does not give any definition of ordinarily resident. There is now a need for guidance on whether wild boar having existed in a feral state for many years could be considered as ordinarily resident.

7. Given that it is illegal to intentionally release wild boar into the wild, how come those persons keeping wild boar under licence have not been required to recapture escaped animals.

Neither the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 nor the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) Order 1984 make any provision to require a licensee to take any action to recover escaped animals.

Under Section 6 of the Act, Local Authorities have the power to seize any animal(s) and retain or destroy them, if any animal is being kept contrary to the Act or any condition of the license under which it is being held. It has not been tested yet whether these powers could potentially be used to recapture escaped animals at the licensee’s expense.

8. If wild boar become more widespread, will they cause damage to the woodland ecology?

No. As wild boar were formerly a native species they should have a beneficial effect since they are replacing a lost part of the ecosystem. Scientific studies including work done by the University of Sussex suggest that although rooting  of the soil can cause damage to carpets of bluebells. This impact is generally localised and short-lived and plants regrow in following years with increased vigour. Rooting also encourages the growth of new plants by uncovering dormant seeds in the soil. However there is some evidence that rooting in species-rich semi-natural grassland can encourage colonisation by invasive weed species.

9. Do Wild boar damage crops?

Yes.  Particularly if their sources of natural food are in short supply. Boar feed on a wide variety of food and will readily feed on agricultural crops. Favourite  crops include Sugar beet, maize, potatoes, oats, wheat and grassland.  In England, most of the damage reported has been damage to maize crops and rooting in grassland.

Wild boar will also eat carrion such as dead livestock, and they have been reported to take dead and very weak lambs.

10. Are wild boar likely to be a danger to Guns, beaters or their dogs on driven pheasant days?

No. If left well alone. The boar will most likely move away from the guns and beaters before the drive starts. They are only likely to attack if cornered or threatened.

11. I have wild boar on the land where I shoot and the land owner has given me permission to shoot them. Do I need to have my Firearms certificate endorsed by the police to shoot wild boar?

Yes you should get your FAC conditioned by your Firearms Licensing Dept. Although some people may argue that you can shoot wild boar under a vermin or general estate wildlife management authorisation, from a peace of mind it is best to get the authorisation first rather than risk a potential prosecution or difficulty in future renewals of your FAC.

12. Is my normal deer rifle suitable for shooting wild boar?

Potentially yes. Wild boar are very large tough animals. Their chest cavity is  well protected by a thick plate of cartilage, muscle and fat, which usually requires a deep penetrating bullet to humanely control mature specimens. Wounded animals can become very aggressive and attack the hunter or worse escape and attack people out in the countryside.

Therefore the suggested minimum calibre which is accepted by most police forces is .270 and 130 grain bullet and a minimum muzzle energy of 2600ft/lbs. 

This should be regarded as the absolute  minimum and larger calibre rifles should be used if possible. The 9.3 calibre rounds are very popular on the continent and are well proven for wild boar. It could be argued that .375 and larger calibres should also be allowed for wild boar.

12 bore or larger shotguns using only a single projectile (rifled slug) can also be suitable for wild boar in certain conditions.

13. Can wild boar be shot at night with a lamp.

Yes. There are no restrictions on shooting wild boar at night as wild boar have no specific legal status. However it is important to behave in a humane manner  at all times, and to prevent any act of cruelty that may leave you open to prosecution under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 ie do you have  procedures and any equipment to follow up and dispatch any wounded animals in the dark

14. Are there any closed seasons for wild boar?

No. There are no closed seasons for wild boar.

15. Can dogs be used to hunt wild boar?

No. Not as a pack of hounds, but two dogs may be used to track and follow up wounded or injured animals.