How To Prevent A Wild Boar Attack

Most states east of the Rocky Mountains have wild boars. They typically live in forests and swamps, where they feed on nuts, berries, roots, leaves, insects, and small animals. Wild boars can weigh up to 300 pounds (136 kg), but some may be much larger. You may encounter these wild animals while camping, backpacking, or hiking. So how will you prevent a wild boar attack?

Why do wild boars attack humans?

Wild boars will attack humans when threatened, especially if they feel that their offspring are at risk. Baby wild swines normally travel close to their mother, so any person coming between them will likely trigger an attack. Many people have been seriously injured or killed after being attacked by an angry wild boar. The animal’s sharp tusks can cause significant damage even if the boar doesn’t intend to.

Steps to take if a wild boar attacks you

If an angry wild boar approaches you on a hiking trail or somewhere else in the wilderness, there are specific steps you can take to reduce the risk of injury.

Do not run because this will likely trigger an instinctive chase response in the boar. It could gore you using its tusks, or you may receive a severe blow from its head as it chases you down.
Stay calm and stand your ground until the animal backs off and gives you an exit.
Do not show any fear or act aggressively because this can trigger a violent reaction from the animal.
If the boar charges, try to move out of its path as quickly as possible instead of turning and running. This will likely prevent injuries from a head-on collision with the boar’s tusks or body
If the boar attacks, do not lie down because it could climb on top of you and gore your abdomen or legs with its tusks. Instead, curl into a ball by bending over your knees and clasping your hands behind your neck.
If you’re knocked to the ground, try to get up as quickly as possible and use any object or material nearby to help shield your back during combat with the boar.

Utilize your backpack

If you have a backpack, take it off and use it to defend yourself against attack. If you don’t have anything else available, it might be better to drop the pack and use both arms to protect your face from tusks or swipes.
Fight back aggressively. Focus your strikes on the boar’s eyes or nose because this will disable it and give you a chance to escape.
If the animal does knock you down, curl into a ball with your fingers laced behind your neck. Keep your elbows in front of your face and knees against your chest to prevent injury from bites, swipes, or goring
Be aware that the boar may continue to attack for some time after you’ve left the area because it will be guarding its territory or young. If possible, leave the pack on while running away to protect your back during combat with the boar. Then remove it and go as quickly as possible to safety. Check out some ways you can prevent a bear attack in the wild.

Tips for preventing a wild boar attack

You can take several precautions to reduce the likelihood of an encounter with a wild boar. This includes avoiding heavily forested areas during periods when pigs are feeding, such as at night, on new grass shoots in early mornings, or on acorns and beechnuts from autumn through winter.

If you come across a pig, do not run away because this might trigger a chasing response from the animal. Instead, raise your arms above your head and shout aggressively to show that you’re a threat to the pig’s territory or young.

If it doesn’t back off, throw stones or other objects at it without turning your back on the pig. Remember that it’s vital not to have any food with you when hiking, camping, or hunting in the forest because this can invite aggressive foraging behavior from wild pigs.

The history of the wild boar in North America and their habitat

The wild boar is native to Europe and Asia but was introduced to North America in the middle of the twentieth century. It has flourished in the temperate forests of the continent because it is highly adaptable and can live almost anywhere with abundant vegetation, water for drinking, and shelter from predators such as wolves and bears.

The wild boar is a large mammal with brownish-black bristly fur and a stocky body. It has long upper canines used to fight over food, territory, females, or protect its young. These midsection canines are about four centimeters long, making them very dangerous to humans.

Wild pigs wreak havoc on the economy, agriculture, and the ecosystem. Every year, the US government spends millions of dollars trying to control their growing population. There are hundreds of thousands of wild boars in the United States and Canada, and they range from British Columbia down to Northern Mexico.

The greatest concentration of wild boars is in Texas, where you can carry a concealed weapon because hunting is legal year-round. Wild boars usually look for food sources such as corn, potatoes, tubers, roots, watermelons, soybeans, and peanuts. They can also feed on animals such as young deer, sheep, goats, small reptiles, and rabbits.

The wild boar’s natural habitat is forested areas, but in North America, they thrive in grasslands and even some cities with a plentiful supply of garbage. They have been sighted all over the United States, including Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and even New York City. They are most commonly found in British Columbia in Canada but can be located anywhere on the west coast from Alaska down to Washington State.

How to protect yourself from a wild boar attack if you see one on your property or near your home (especially with children)

An attack by a wild boar can cause serious injury, so it’s crucial to know how to protect yourself from one. Here are some tips on how you can do this:

If you see one of these animals in your home or near your property, show extreme caution and do not approach them. These animals will attack if they feel threatened.
If a wild swine does attack you, fight back with anything available to you – a chair, a broom, or even your hands and feet if nothing is near you. Aim for the eyes and nose of the animal as these are sensitive areas.
If there is no option but to escape, do so carefully while keeping your eyes on the animal at all times. It’s better to turn your back while running away, but try to avoid this if possible.
Never go near a wild boar that is injured, cornered, or sleeping because they can be very dangerous in these situations.
Avoid walking through areas of long grass, especially at night. These areas are dark and difficult to see through, making it easier for wild boars to approach you stealthily. Try walking around these areas instead.

Keep your dog on a leash

When walking your dog during the day, keep them on a leash if there is any possibility of encountering a wild boar. Your dog may scare the boar away, but if the animal feels threatened, it may attack them instead.
If you encounter a wild boar sleeping or eating, give them at least 328 feet (100 meters) of space as they will feel threatened and attack if approached closer than this.
Always be aware of your surroundings when out in nature – avoid trying new paths and wear bright clothing so the hogs can spot you easily.
Be aware of any signs of wild boars in the area – they often dig up and damage lawns and gardens as part of their food search, so avoid wandering near these areas if possible.
If you own a farm or property with livestock, keep them in secure enclosures at night.
Lastly, if a wild boar attack has occurred and you’ve been injured, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Prevention is always better than the cure when it comes to these kinds of animal attacks!

The kinds of animals that prey on the wild boar

They are the wolf, the bear, and human beings. If you find yourself in an area swarming with boars, do not wear any type of clothes that could be mistaken for fur. Also, do not act aggressively towards them even if you are feeling threatened.

Interesting fact: Wild boar meat is low in fat and high in protein. This makes it a better choice than any other type of meat available since it has the lowest amount of fat and the highest amount of protein.

Is it better to raise a wild boar on a farm or in the wild

One of the most common ways to raise a wild boar is on a farm. It’s easier for farmers because they can feed them an abundant amount of food, make sure they are free from illnesses and are easily transportable if needed.

The difference between wild boars and domesticated pigs

Most people are unaware of the difference between domestic pigs and wild boars, but it is important to know that they have very different behaviors. It can be challenging to distinguish a wild boar from a domesticated pig in the field if you don’t know what you’re looking for – however, some physical features will help identify them.

Wild boars tend to have longer legs and snouts with pointier ears, while their tails are usually curly. On the other hand, domesticated pigs typically have shorter snouts, floppy ears, and straighter tails. You may also notice a coat of hair or fur around a wild boar’s neck, which distinguishes this animal from domestic swine, who do not need any special protection from cold because they have a thick layer of fat covering their bodies.

Final Thoughts

If you ever come across a wild boar and feel threatened, be aware that these animals will attack if they see you as a threat to their territory. You should also keep in mind that domesticated pigs can often run away from danger, but wild boars will fight instead. I hope these tips will help you stay safe in wild boar territory! If you have anything to add, do so in the comments section!