Tracking is an evergreen skill that is both fascinating and rewarding for hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and researchers. Learning an animal’s behavior and its signs is a great hunting skill to have, on top of the fun of the track and learning more about a prey’s movements. In this blog post, we’ll explore the various ways to track wild boar, from spotting their footprints to knowing what their bedding areas are like.

As the population of wild hogs are growing every year, so does the interest and effort to hunt them. This means more skill and study in understanding these feral swine and how to track them down. There are, of course, other ways to get rid of a wild boar problem like trapping, baiting, and poisoning. But this post is to cover how to track a wild boar.

Tracking the Footprints: Decoding Boar Tracks

Wild boars leave unique footprints that can help you better understand their presence and where they went. Their tracks are cloven, with two main toes and two smaller dewclaw marks behind. Hog tracks are not to be confused with deer tracks, although they are quite similar.

A hog’s tracks are going to have a rounded tip at the end of the toe. A deer’s tracks will have the same size, but with a pointed toe. You can usually find these tracks in soft ground, mud, or sand, especially near water sources.

Mud Baths and Wallowing Spots: Identifying Boar Wallows

Wild boars are known for their habit of wallowing in mud, ponds, and streams. These wallows help them cool off and protect against parasites. You can sometimes spot a boar wallowing by looking for large, muddy depressions in the ground, like holes or pits, often surrounded by displaced leaves and brush.

If you see fresh mud splatters on nearby trees or shrubs, you might be near a wallowing area. You might even be able to catch them in the act.

Digging Deep: Recognizing Rooting Areas

Rooting is probably the easiest way to identify hog activity. Boars use their powerful snouts to “root up”, or dig up the soil, dirt, and crops in search of food like roots, insects, and small animals.

Rooting areas look like patches of freshly turned earth that can go for long distances and be spread across entire farmland. They can vary in size from small holes to large, disturbed patches. You can usually find these areas in forests, meadows, and agricultural fields.

Scratches and Rub Marks: Spotting Boar Rubbing Sites

Hog “rubbing” may be trickier to spot, but depending on if it’s dry or wet you might be getting close to your prey. After wallowing in mud, their skin can get irritated and itchy. They’ll find rocks, trees, or posts and rub their hide against them to relieve themselves or remove parasites. These rubbings leave behind markings, scratches, and even fur.

Look for trees that have been heavily scratched with stripped bark, mud, and hair stuck to it. These rub marks will be the same height at around 2-3 feet off the ground. If you see multiple rub sites in one area there are probably more around, like a sounder.

Scat and Droppings: Analyzing Boar Scat

Like tracking any game, scat is a great way to know if you are heading in the right direction. Hog pellets are usually three times as large as deer scat and can contain pieces of hair and bone. Boar scat can leave clues about the animal’s diet and presence.

Boar scat is usually tubular, in pieces, and dark in color. Spotting scat is a clear sign that boars have been in the area. You could even go a step further and check the skat to better understand the boar’s feeding habits and common areas.

Resting Grounds: Discovering Boar Bedding Areas

Boars will flatten their bedding areas in a circular pattern to bed for the night. They are also somewhat dug into the ground and can also have a covering for shelter, typically in dense vegetation or sheltered spots.

This could be any vegetation like sticks, branches, leaves, or whatever they can find. These beddings can be hard to spot as they are naturally camouflaged.

Tracking wild boars is an invaluable skill that combines observation, patience, and knowledge. Understanding the various signs that wild boars leave behind can improve your tracking abilities. If you’re a hunter or a wildlife enthusiast, mastering the art of boar tracking will only make your outdoor experience much more immersive and deepen your connection with nature.