Pig hunters primed to go full boar | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

The dogs are loaded and the knives are sheathed for this weekend's Martinborough pig hunting competition.

Wairarapa Pig Hunting Club president Roger Hale (above left) said he knew a few blokes calling in sick and a few crazier ones who would begin at midnight.

"If someone wanted to wait there until the bloody clock ticks over they are most welcome - I will be in bed."

The three-day competition, organised by the club and hosted at the Pukemanu Tavern, usually attracts about 130 entries.

Mr Hale said most of the competitors were "repeat offenders" but there were many younger faces joining in, including his daughter, 15.

"There's a bit more publicity these days. There's quite a few rugby stars who hunt, like Kees Meeuws and Jimmy Cowan. It's also a good healthy sport, you enjoy some good outdoor conditions and it's not all about hunting. You have got your companions, your dogs and a couple of mates."

The competition was offering $400 for the heaviest pig and a top prize of $500 for the pig with the average weight of all the pigs caught.

Mr Hale said competitions introduced this measure for the top prize years ago to stop cheating.

"People use to sit out on the paddock with old Boris, feeding him peas each day, then knock him off a day before the hunt."

He said Wairarapa had a good reputation for fairness compared with other hunting competitions where dog theft and other cheating was rife.

A gentle breeze and overcast skies to keep the dogs cool would be the ideal hunt conditions.

Mr Hale said early-morning hunters would have the benefit of a full moon to track that prize - or best average - boar.

PICTURE / LYNDA FERINGA