Tusks

Why do some hogs have long tusks while others do not? Out of the 125 ot so hogs we have killed none of them have exposed bug tusks like in bayed up's post. Is there a certain strand hog with latger tusks or is it just random?

It is all about genetics and age.

Ben2, I’ve killed over 1,000 hogs in the last few years, including some big, old mature boars from 280-380 lbs. I believe the longest tusks I’ve measured were slightly over 2.25”. If you see one with 2” of tusk exposed that’s pretty impressive. Those with 3” or more are literally freaks of nature, like a 200” whitetail.

Next time you see a shoulder mount with long tusks, look closely. You can often see the original gum line moved out an inch or so.

I’ve seen that on several of them. It’s real noticeable on skull mounts. There’s a stain line on those chompers that is very easy to see. Lol.

Heck most taxidermist don’t even use the real tusk any more. They just order a mouth insert with similar size or bigger size tusks.

I have tried to catch this hog for 3 years but he disappears for months at a time. He is a absolute freak.

check out these boys in Texas 74 in one night

https://texashuntingforum.com/forum...21/74-hogs-down-in-one-night#Post7901321

Some of the biggest cutters I have seen come off of hogs that have been injured in one of the back legs. They just can't fight with just 3 legs, so the cutters don't get broken off. One of my best sets came off of a boar that hit the scales at 135 lbs.

The biggest set came off of a hog that had a bad overbite. His cutters just didn't touch each other. He had 7 1/4 on one side and 5 3/4 on the other. Just a freak. The one BayedUp has above is a MONSTER!

I think BayedUp is correct in saying it's all about genetics. In some areas it is not uncommon to see boars with over 2" and 2.5" is fairly common. Over 3" puts them is the freak category.

Are you guys referring to both the top and bottom teeth as cutters?.

What about this guy? Good tusks? I don’t know anything about what makes a good hog

Lefthorn, absolutely! Trophy right there.

How do you measure them? I have a euro mount of the pig

Measure the bottom teeth from the point the tooth exits the jawbone to the tip, around the curve. Kinda like measuring a turkey spur.

Finally got around to measuring my son’s boar. One side was right at 3” the other was broke off at 1.75”

He is dead...that makes him a good hog! LOL

A 3 inch cutter is a DANG GOOD ONE!

Kinda, but more traditionally. The top is referred to as wetters. Not sure if that's spelled right.

The uppers are whetters. The lowers are tusks.

Tusks rub-grind against the whetters and stay sharp along with not growing to crazy lengths, unless it's something like what Elkhunter described and they don't touch.

Interesting thread. Good intel.