History

• Grazing boarsWildschweinfamilie image by JeaRoRe from Fotolia.com
  
  Prized for their meat, European wild boar were a constant nuisance for the farmer. Terrahunt.com states that "a typical field of corn was a magnet for a group of boar, and the damage they can do in a night is enormous. In a certain time of the year boar crave for protein and they plow over pastures looking for insect larvae." Over time, this chore of removing them had transformed into a highly challenging sport across the countries of France, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
  
  

Time Frame

• The best times for hunting boar are during November, December and January, especially in the weeks around a full moon. Since boar usually mate in late autumn, the opening day of hunting season can vary between April and September. According to Hunting in Poland, the hunting season is from April 1 until February 28. The season for sows opens after summer, to protect nursing sows. In some areas, the season for driven hunts is different from the season for the individual hunts.
  
  

Equipment

• Proper clothing for winter hunting in PolandThe man in winter clothes image by Artem Lapenko from Fotolia.com
  
  Since the best hunting in Poland can be during the winter months and especially at night, temperatures can consistently hover below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Heavy, breathable hooded parkas, gloves and other thick clothing are strongly recommended to prevent the loss of body heat. Boar hunting also requires the use of rifles, with some driven boar hunts using shot guns with appropriate ammunition. The rest of the equipment should be based on specific needs and preferences.
  
  

Dangers

• Wild boars are naturally withdrawn and will not attack unless provoked, but precautions must be taken when they are protecting their young or during mating season. Their combination of speed, sharp tusks and weight, which can exceed 300 lbs., can be extremely dangerous. Farmers have been attacked in their fields and collisions have occurred between cars and these animals.
  
  

Guided Hunting

• Tours are led by experienced guides, and packages can be arranged to include accommodations as well as other amenities. The hunt normally begins after some vital safety instruction.
  
  For example, Artemis Hunting Club offers three- and five-day excursion packages that include board and lodgings, organization of the hunt, an English-speaking guide, transportation, dogs, preparation of trophies, insurance and all permits required by Polish authorities, except for your gun. Wild Boar Safari, Poland, provides packages tailored to individuals or groups, which include accommodations in private houses, Polish lessons and translation services.