Find out about feral pigs (Sus scrofa)

Description

Size: Smaller than domestic pigs with more muscular bodies and males especially having massive forequarters and smaller hindquarters. Males stand nearly 1000 mm at the shoulder and can weigh as much as 45 - 205 kg with females smaller at 600 mm high and weighing up to 114 kg.

Colour: Most commonly black but there is considerable local variation in colour with ginger, sandy brown, white, grey and smoky blue, or combinations of these colours.

Tusks: Extend out from the lower jaw and curve upwards, outward and backwards. Triangular in cross section the tusks can protrude 150 mm plus.

Social behaviour: Mainly active in daylight although where subjected to hunting pressure may become more nocturnal or restrict their activity to early morning and late afternoon. Relatively sedentary feral pigs, where food, water and cover are suitable, will occupy home range areas in mobs of both sexes. Females with litters and older males will often live alone.

Feral pigs are omnivorous, eating a wide variety of food including grasses, roots, seeds and other plant material as well as carrion, earthworms and insects.

Reproduction: Feral pigs breed throughout the year with main time spring and summer. Litter size is 6-10 piglets with survival likely to be 3-6. Newborn piglets stay within or near the nest for first 2-3 weeks, weaning occurs at 2-4 months and young pigs stay with the sow until the next litter is due.

Gestation period: About 112-114 days.

Birthing: Throughout the year, mainly spring and summer.

Nomenclature: Male = boar. Females = sow. Young = piglet.

Where to hunt feral pigs

In New Zealand feral pigs are found in the North and South Islands as well as Great Barrier and Chatham Islands. For details contact the DOC office nearest the hunting area.

North Island

Feral pigs occur in many areas throughout the North Island with larger populations in:

Northland: Numerous forest blocks containing low to moderate numbers of pigs.

Waikato/Hauraki

Note: When hunting in Northland/Wakato/Hauraki undertake prevention measures to prevent the spread of kauri dieback (PTA).

Taupō/Bay of Plenty: Large forest blocks both native and privately owned exotic forest.

Whanganui: Large areas of forest and regenerating scrub country.

South Island

Less widespread than in the North Island larger populations occur in:

Nelson: Scrub country adjacent to native forests. Large private exotic forests.

Marlbourugh: Regenerating scrub country and exotic forest blocks.

North Canterbury

Otago

Catlins: Native forests and adjacent scrub land.

Great Barrier Island

There are two hunting blocks available on Great Barrier Island both holding low numbers of pigs.

For more information about permits, dog use, kauri dieback disease prevention, contact DOC: