Whilst deep in the woods recently, I came across a Wild Boar wallow which was surrounded by several classically rubbed tree stumps. There's nothing a Boar likes more than a mud bath and good rub against a tree.
At the same time I noticed that their favourite trees were covered in a black shiny liquid that seemed to have dribbled downwards; demonstrating (I presumed) that it had been put there by men.
I ran my hand over the blackened surface, and smelt the unmistakable aroma of TAR.
So, on reaching home I Googled 'Wild Boar and Tar', and was immediately given the answer I was looking for.
Beechwood Tar, it seems, is a Wild Boar attractant, which is painted on their usual scratching trees in order to keep them in a particular area. No doubt this makes them easier to shoot later on.
Beechwood Tar, it seems, is a Wild Boar attractant, which is painted on their usual scratching trees in order to keep them in a particular area. No doubt this makes them easier to shoot later on.
The hunting season has recently finished in France, so the hunters are now looking after their next season's interests. They wouldn't want them all heading off onto a rival group's territory; however would they make their Paté de Sanglier?
I'm a country boy at heart, but there's always so much to learn.
I'm a country boy at heart, but there's always so much to learn.
For one terrible moment there I thought that you were going to tell us that the black substance that you licked, tasted, palpated, sniffled and took home for Lady M's second opinion was some kind of wild boar secretion.
ReplyDeleteMind you, they'd need to be a couple of metres tall ...
That's really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite partial to the saucisson, too!
ReplyDeleteWhy is at so attractive to them?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea. Personally I find the smell quite disagreeable; but then I'm not a wild boar.
Deleteand how, I wonder, did men figure out that boar were attracted to tar?
ReplyDeleteI am with you on this one! But being married to a hunter, I have learned they do all sorts of crazy things to attracted the hunted.
DeleteHunters will do and figure out everything and anything to attract their prey. I will have to tell my husband, the hunter about this and see what he says.
ReplyDeleteI rather enjoy the smell of fresh tar and I enjoy a good rub too :)
ReplyDeleteYou obviously need a second home in our woods!
DeleteOnce again Cro, I'm smarter than I was this am cause I read your blog. Maybe if we put tar around the perimeter of our farm we could save money on fencing. I'll run it by the husband over dinner
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they are at all like our wild pigs? They are disgusting feral animals which are full of diseases and dangerous parasites and cause terrible damage to the land as well as crops. Hunters go pig shooting but never eat the kill as far as I know. They have big tusks and can easily kill humans and often do kill the dogs that the hunters use to hunt them with. Ugh!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they're the same, but very sought-after for their meat over here.
DeleteWow, how interesting! I never heard of such of thing, and it does make me wonder how in the world hunters figured out the boars are attracted by the scent of tar.
ReplyDeleteWell.....all I can say is.....( in a Katherine Hepburn voice)
ReplyDelete" the poor boar.....!"
Love stopping by your blog - always an interesting read!
ReplyDeleteI never find your blog 'boaring'.
ReplyDelete(sorry, couldn't help myself)