Boar hunting and spear hunting go hand in hand. I say this because the spear is actually a traditional boar hunting weapon, and has been throughout several countries and even continents. The sport of spear hunting boar was so popular a special spear was designed specifically for boar hunting. Boar hunting actually remained relatively popular throughout Germany up until the 1930s, well after the repeating rifle had become a reality for most hunters.
Boar hunting was commonly known as pig sticking. Pig sticking was done on both on foot, or horse. Pig sticking was often done by teams of men. It was popular enough with British military officers that the military encouraged the sport, because, “a startled or angry wild boar is … a desperate fighter [and therefore] the pig-sticker must possess a good eye, a steady hand, a firm seat, a cool head and a courageous heart.” All features necessary in a good soldier.
Boar hunting should be done with boar spears; centuries of hunting proved they were incredibly effective weapons against the brutal boar. The boar spear’s design is to maximize the effectiveness of spear, and make it safer for the hunter to wield. The Boar spear shaft is characterized as being a thicker and stronger than most spears. This handle is much shorter than a standard military spear, which makes it easy to handle in tight brush.
The Boar spear head is specifically designed to penetrate deep and deal massive amounts of damage with a single throw or jab. The spear head is wide and strong, and features two wings near the end of the spear. These wings are designed to prevent the spear from penetrating too deep into the boar. This keeps the boar from running up the spear and attacking the hunter, this also makes it easier to remove the spear and strike again.
The spread of the wild pig across the United States has made pig hunting a popular sport, with often no bag limits and rarely a defined season. Culling pigs in general is encouraged due to massive overpopulation and the damage they create.
The Cold Steel Boar Spear is a great spear. It has a classic look with stellar reviews.
Hogs, boar, pigs, whatever you wish to call them is an exciting and dangerous sport. The first thing to know is that wounded hog can be quite dangerous and aren’t shy to attack hunters. Be prepared to deal with a rushing boar, and to be prepared I suggest carrying a firearm. This is solely a safety measure. This is mainly aimed at people who stalk, those still hunting on the ground may face an aggressive hog, but those still hunting in a tree stand are a little safer. Even those in tree stand may meet a dangerous hog when they climb down, especially a wounded hog.
Hogs, like deer, are most active in the mornings and evenings. Hogs tend to travel in small groups, making them even more dangerous. They also tend to leave a ton, and I mean a ton of sign behind. Hogs are wrecking machines that tear through the land, and make it possible to easily follow a small herd.
Hogs are animals that can be found eating and drinking. They follow the food, and will often utilize and gather around sources of water. Hogs will often gather around water sources on hotter days to cool themselves off. This makes them a hot spot to search during summer and spring hunting. Unlike deer, hogs aren’t as shy about being in the open, and will often roam across open fields, and will absolutely tear through agricultural fields that grow crops. They will dine and dash, leaving a mess behind.
Hogs have a thick section of hide around their shoulders, which act as a shield around their heart and lungs. This means you not only need to have throwing skill, a good spear, and the gumption to get it done, but a backup firearm or bow in case you wound the animal. Boar tends to bleed very little as well, so tracking them can be difficult, especially in the low light evening hunts.
Boar hunting with a spear can be dangerous, and I suggest always having a backup firearm, and never hunting boar on foot alone. It can also be extremely rewarding, and extremely exciting. It is a test of skill, patience and strength. It differs greatly from hunting with a rifle, and delivers on a thrill that can’t be found even with a bow.