Warthog hunting in Namibia

Warthog’s behavioural habits and looks have turned them into legends of the movie theatres. However, life for them on the plains is not as easy going as depicted in the “Lion King”. Both males and females have trademark tusks making them sought trophy species. Partially due to genetics, food quality and the sandy soils of Namibia some great trophies are taken every season. Warthogs living the sandy soils of Namibia tend to develop good trophy size tusks as opposed to those living on the rocky soils. Tusks are used as digging tools to find food and may get broken or worn down in rocky areas. Warthogs are ugly to some but a must have trophy for others. They require high quality food to sustain themselves during dry periods and are a water dependent species. They occur throughout the semi-arid areas of the country with densities increasing as you move northwards from west to east. They are found throughout the Caprivi, northern and central regions. Their numbers are significantly boosted where private landowners provide artificial watering points. Warthogs enjoy a good mud bath and are often found wallowing in the mud at these watering holes where they can be ambushed or shot by a bow hunter from a blind. Warthogs are also sought after for their meat by local hunters, with many claiming this to be one of the best venisons in Africa. Warthogs are classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN and no special hunting permits are required. However, Warthog trophies exported to the USA need to comply with the USDA trophy import regulations.