Wild Boar on the Loose in Virginia Neighborhood

Residents of a Virginia neighborhood are on high alert after a wild boar was spotted running loose in the area. The boar is believed to have escaped from a local farm, and residents are being urged to be cautious while outdoors.

So far, the boar has managed to evade capture, but authorities are working hard to track it down. In the meantime, locals are being advised to keep their pets indoors and avoid walking in wooded areas.

This is not the first time that a wild boar has been spotted in this area. Last year, a similar incident occurred when a boar ran loose in a residential neighborhood.

While wild boars can be dangerous if provoked, they are also known to be skittish and typically avoid humans. However, residents are still urged to exercise caution while outdoors until the animal is captured.

Texas Hunter Bags Record-Breaking Boar

In a recent hunting expedition in Texas, Lance Vick bagged a whopping 860-pound boar that set a new state record.

The previous record was held by another hunter who killed an 800-pound boar several years ago.

Lance Vick's prize-winning boar was so big that it took four people to help drag it out of the woods.

To put the size of this animal into perspective, consider that the average wild boar weighs between 150 and 400 pounds.

This particular boar was likely several years old and had been eating well to reach its impressive size.

Boars are dangerous animals and can inflict serious injuries with their sharp tusks, so hunters need to exercise caution when pursuing them.

Despite the danger, however, hunting these massive creatures can be hugely rewarding, both from a personal standpoint and from a conservation standpoint.

The sport of hunting is evolving all the time, with new technologies and methods constantly being developed.

In cases like Lance Vick's where an animal is taken down with a bow and arrow, there is a real sense of accomplishment in taking down such a formidable target.

California Safari Club Honors Top Boars Killed in 2018

The California Safari Club (CSC) congratulates Craig Muller, of Oroville, on his outstanding trophy Boar taken during the 2018 hunting season. Muller's wild hog scored an amazing 283 2/8 on the Boone and Crockett scale. This impressive score was good enough to take home the coveted "Trophy Boar of the Year" award from CSC.

Muller's trophy boar was taken with a bow in Butte County, California. The animal measured 31 1/4 inches in width and had 18-inch tusks. It is estimated that the boar weighed around 400 pounds.

This is not Muller's first time claiming top honors from the CSC. He also won "Trophy Boar of the Year" in 2009 with a 260 3/8 inch hog.

In addition to Muller, the CSC also honored several other hunters for their exceptional trophy hogs taken during the 2018 season. These winners include:

• Jason Yeager – A 240 7/8 inch boar taken in Kern County, California

• Shane Tingle – A 234 6/8 inch hog taken in Tulare County, California

• Cody Riddle – A 228 5/8 inch boar killed in Plumas County, California

• Clint Nelson – A 226 6/8 inch boar shot near Kingsburg, California

Outdoor Writer: Why We Love to Hunt Boar

Boar hunting is an extremely popular form of hunting all over the world, and for good reason. The thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of taking down a powerful animal with your own two hands, and the taste of fresh boar meat all make this an activity many people love to participate in.

One of the things that makes boar hunting so appealing is that these animals can be quite challenging to hunt down. They are usually quite wary of humans and can be very quick and agile when fleeing. This makes stalking them through the woods or tracking them through mud and water a real adrenaline rush.

Another great thing about hunting boar is that they are not considered endangered or protected species in most parts of the world. This means that there are no special permits or licenses required to hunt them, which makes it a more accessible activity for many people.

Boars can weigh anywhere from 50 to 400 pounds, so they provide a good challenge for hunters of all skill levels. They are also delicious to eat, providing a much sought-after alternative to traditional deer meat.

Finally, hunting boar can be a very social activity. There is something about being out in nature with friends or family and working together to take down a big animal that brings people together in a unique way. For many people, boar hunting is about much more than simply bagging an animal – it's about spending time outdoors with friends and loved ones, enjoying one of the most exhilarating activities available.

Taxidermist Mounts Wild Boar Trophies

A taxidermist in the eastern German town of Furstenwalde says he has created a new mount for wild boar trophies.

Back in January, hunters killed an estimated 400,000 wild boars in Germany, the vast majority of which were shot. That's more than six times the number killed two years ago.

But what to do with all those corpses?

In Furstenwalde, at least, they're being turned into decorative mounts. Uwe Semmelhack, the taxidermist in question, has been mounting wild boar heads on wooden plinths for about a month now. He says he's had a lot of orders for them.

"The demand is certainly there," Semmelhack told DW. "I've even got requests from as far away as Italy."

Semmelhack says he charges about €300 ($355) for his mounts, which include the head and shoulders of the boar. The finished product is around 1.5 meters (5 feet) high.

He says that he generally uses the pelts of the animals he mounts, but that's not always possible with wild boars. "In some cases I have to use artificial materials," he said. "But I try to use real fur whenever I can."

   In much of Germany, wild boars are considered little more than pests. They damage crops and gardens and can be dangerous when cornered or threatened. But they're also a valuable source of food, and their populations are increasing rapidly. A few years ago it was legal to hunt them year-round; now there are restrictions in place during certain months. But it's still legal to kill them when they're damaging property or posing a threat to humans.          Despite their growing population, wild boars aren't found everywhere in Germany; they mainly live in the rural areas in the east and south of the country. And while they're not considered an endangered species, they are protected by law . Hunters need a permit from local authorities before they can go after one.