How to Find Wild Boar Tracks

The wild boar is the feral ancestor of today's domesticated pig. The boar is a large animal that leaves very distinctive markings and signs pretty much wherever it goes. A few steps will help you identify wild boar tracks in the wild.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Get to know the wild boar. Learning as much as possible about wild boar biology and behavior will help you track the animal. Just as importantly, such information will also help keep you safe. Male boars have large tusks and sows can often become aggressive around their young, so find out about the boar before trying to track it.
2. Find wild boar environments. Boars live in the woodlands of Central Europe and Asia. Some wild boar populations have been introduced to the forests of the southern United States. Ask park rangers or hunters if they know of a wild boar population in your area.
3. Identify boar footprints. The wild boar's footprint is fairly easy to identify, with dewclaws that are set back and off to the side of the cleave prints.
4. Look for signs of rooting. Wild boars love to root in muddy water and leave very clear evidence of their enjoyment. A root will be very clearly marked by a break in the ground vegetation, even if the root is dry. Look out for these distinctive signs to find boar tracks.
5. Keep an eye out for boar bristle, torn fencing and rubbed trees. One of the best ways to know that you're close to a wild boar's tracks is by seeing the markings the not-so-subtle animal makes on its environment. Boars will leave bristly hair on fences they burrow under and will also rub themselves against tree trunks after rooting. Look out for worn or reddened bark as a sign that you're near to the boar's tracks.