Feral hogs in eastern Ontario

[finsfurfeathers]

it would be nice to know locations that way we know their spread and travel areas. I'm eager to get a boar.

You have a better chance at getting an Elk first.

[tbasse01]

so durham region is eastern Ontario?

there is a pack of feral pigs running around now for 2 years on scugog island

in between seven mile island road and Stephenson point road on the west side of island road

they come into the back of goreskis quite frequently and I see the tracks in the woods

[Grasu200]

Are we talking about feral pigs or wild boars? Big difference....Wild boars will survive winters indeed - not sure about feral pigs, more common in southern states.

I'm sure you are right. If they can survive in sweden or russia they will survive canada.

[MikePal]

Are we talking about feral pigs or wild boars? Big difference....

There is not a big difference really...hard to tell them apart after a generation or two.

But what about domestic pigs that escape and breed in the wild? Well, these are known as feral pigs/hogs and not boars, since, even though they live in the wild (and may have for several generations), they are not true wild boars.


So, how do domestic pigs and wild boars differ genetically and physically? Well, all swine share a common ancestor — the Eurasian wild boar or Sus scrofa. Wild boars are of the species Sus scrofa, whereas domestic pigs are of the subspecies Sus scrofa domesticus. (A few taxonomists put the domestic pig in a separate species from its wild counterparts, which is known as Sus domesticus.) Humans began domesticating pigs as early as 8000 B.C., and now there are many subspecies of Sus scrofa throughout the world.

In regards to appearance, wild boars generally have thicker, bristlier coats than domestics and have a noticeable ridge of hair running along their backs. They also have longer, straighter tails, and longer legs and heads.


That being said, feral domestic pigs start to take on the physical characteristics of wild boars after just one or two generations of being in the wild. Once they take on this wild appearance, it is hard to distinguish them from a pure Sus scrofa. Also, wild boars and feral pigs breed readily and create offspring that are nearly identical to wild boars, making them even more difficult to tell apart.

In truth, considering their high level of hybridization and similar appearance, there’s not much difference between feral pigs and wild boars. Even scientists have a hard time identifying these animals without analyzing them at the molecular level.

http://knowledgenuts.com/2014/08/06/...nd-wild-boars/

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[Grasu200]

I grew up hunting European wild boars - wild pigs are nowhere near those beasts in excess of 300kgs - up to 450kgs in areas where they are not hunted. In Ontario we certainly don't have wild boars - not in the wild....

There is not a big difference really...hard to tell them apart after a generation or two.

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[Fox]

I grew up hunting European wild boars - wild pigs are nowhere near those beasts in excess of 300kgs - up to 450kgs in areas where they are not hunted. In Ontario we certainly don't have wild boars - not in the wild....

1000lb pig? The world record is under 800lbs for a free range wild boar, these are few and far between, just like a 600lb black bear.

There can be just as good a chance of having Russian Boar in the Ontario woods as any pigs. They are all domestic or captive animals that have gotten out at some point and are reproducing, they can and will be the same thing and will cross.

[welsh]

The Star is reporting that OPP have shot and killed a wild boar in Caledon.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015...n-caledon.html

[Fox]

The Star is reporting that OPP have shot and killed a wild boar in Caledon.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015...n-caledon.html

The worst part of this is that a 150lb animal will go to waste.

There was an elk shot in Ottawa, they let it sit with the guts in for hours and the native group that it was donated to could only get a few hams off the back.

If it is killed take care of it properly and donate it to someone who needs it.

[skeeter1]

The worst part of this is that a 150lb animal will go to waste.

There was an elk shot in Ottawa, they let it sit with the guts in for hours and the native group that it was donated to could only get a few hams off the back.

If it is killed take care of it properly and donate it to someone who needs it.

I think the concern with boar is public safety and they are destructive. I'm really not too concerned if it goes to waste or not, we don't want them here.

[Fox]

I think the concern with boar is public safety and they are destructive. I'm really not too concerned if it goes to waste or not, we don't want them here.

Shoot it and put it out for someone to take.

I agree that there is a public safety issue but it still an animal being killed and wasted, you can have it both ways.