[critter]

In hunting feral hogs, what physical characteristics are evident if there is bloodline from Russian boars present? Or, can you tell at all? Thanks.

[Preacherman]

The ears are shaped like a sickle, with a star visible on the interior surfaces: and the tail has a knob on the end resembling a hammer.

:evil: :neener: :p :D

[C.R.Sam]

European Wild Boar. (sus scrofa)

Usually black...sometimes brown or grey.
Often with frosted tipped guard hairs.
Coat of long bristly hair thickening into erect mane on neck an shoulders, upper spine, sometimes ono jaw.

Tail moderatly long and STRAIGHT..no curl.

Hybrids very variable.

Pure-bred Wild Boars are still found in North Carolina, Tenn, parts of California and preserves elsewhere. America's wild swine elsewhere are hybrids or feral hogs descended from purely domestic stock.

Snippets culled from Audobon field guide.

If it is really scruffy lookin , likely has at least some Wild Boar in it.

Sam....

[C.R.Sam]

To add.
Vodka breath not a good indicator.
Pigs are often still busters.

Sam

[St. Gunner]

Critter,

If you see water melon striped little ones running around, you know you have some genetics back to the European wild boar. Most pigs in the states are ferals, and most so called pure strain Russians are not exactly. I know a few places have certified herds, but they are few and far between. European crosses are brownish, often with white tips on hair around their heads and often black cheek patches, some even go to a greyish color phase. The solid black slick coated hogs most folks shoot are simply domestic escapees a few generation old that crossed with some european stuff, but retained the domestic shape. Most Russian hogs have a tapered body, wide front shoulders, narrower rear.

That ought to give you a starting point. I wish I had some pics of the ones that have been under my oak tree lately. Everything from spotted to a couple with hair almost 4" long, they look like shaggy dogs. I have a couple that really look like purebred Europeans, if they step under the tree anytime soon, i'll stick an arrow in one and get a close-up digital and post it. I've been letting them go, because they only weigh about 60lbs or so.

[trooper]

Here's a real one:

http://www.natur-lexikon.com/Texte/HWG/001/00054/Hwg000544.jpg


Regards,

Trooper

[Al Thompson]

CR's got it. FWIW, last one I killed in Ga was straight tailed.