Exactly what qualifies as a wild boar is a subject of debate among hunters — one that likely won’t be settled for some time.

Wild boars are descendents of a herd imported from Europe a century ago for a private hunting preserve in Graham County. Feral hogs are descendents of the domestic hogs brought over by the Appalachian settlers.

“Old timers for years ran their hogs out loose, free-range, and those hogs intermixed with the wild boar,” said Joffrey Brooks, a management biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. “There is no quote ‘pure wild boar’ anymore.”

Lathern Hull, a hunting guide and aficionado of wild hogs, operates a private hunting lodge and preserve in East Tennessee where he boasts a stock of imported pure bred wild European boar.

Hull said there are three main characteristics to look for when spotting one of the animals.

The European wild boar has a longer, straighter nose compared to the shorter stubby nose of a hog. The wild boar has longer shaggy hair. And the wild boar is built with wide high shoulders.

When it comes to hunting, some people say feral hogs aren’t as keen or fierce as pure wild boars. Hull said the nickname “razorbacks” was given to the wild boar and feral hog mix.