AN overwhelming number of readers have used the Review website and voted against a boar cull.

Last week's controversial poll touched a nerve with many people – 673 to be precise – voting against when we asked "Would you be for or against a large scale boar cull in the Forest of Dean?"

The topic generated a record-breaking response in just six days with 18 per cent in favour and 82 per cent against – as well as 39 comments from irate voters from as far away as Cheshire and Cornwall.

Some of the comments painted a mix bag of opinions but the majority of people agreed a cull of the boar would not be the best option.

A reader named Ruth said: "Boar are doing what is natural to them; turfing up grass looking for food. Many Forest paths are being made totally impassable by machines going in for logging. There is litter thrown down in the Forest and stuff dumped. Should we have a cull of humans causing this mess? No, of course not, so why target these wild creatures going about their business to survive?"

Meanwhile Jude commented: "Living and working in the Forest, I have seen our once pretty and tidy Forest turned into a mess; verges no longer exist and any wild flowers that once grew turned over. Bluebells will be a thing of the past before long. Outside people's houses are a mess, land churned over, dogs attacked etc. There may be room for the boar but not in the vast amounts we have at present."

Beth from Cheshire said: "I have visited the Forest of Dean and was disappointed not to see wild boar. The wild boar plays a vital role in the eco-system of proper woodlands – those not trashed by man – for heavens sake leave these animals alone, what is wrong with everyone? It's just kill, kill, kill! Will man be satisfied when nothing is left? Get a grip councillors, find another way or you may have more problems if you go ahead."

However several Foresters hit back, including Wendy who said: "Comments from Cornwall and Warwickshire among the votes for no cull.....It is a bit different when you live here. I was pro boar until my husband was chased just before Christmas. Today 25m of my fencing was flattened and my horse got out. Even so, I'm still not anti-boar but just feel the population needs to be controlled. It won't self regulate because people are feeding them."

Among heated opinions, some remained optimistic. N of Newent commented: "What a wonderful problem. We can't just cull everything. The Forest needs a balance if it is to be sustainable. People live in the countryside and expect wildlife. Stop moaning. Learn to live with it and find solutions, other than a cull. Great for the table to take a few for local butchers though. I have seen them – what a wonderful sight."