The occurrence and extent of European wild hog (Sus scrofa) rooting at different elevations and vegetation types in the mountains of East Tennessee were studied along trails and roads in three watersheds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and in three watersheds in the Tellico Wildlife Management Area, Cherokee National Forest, from April 1971 through March 1972. Rooting was greatest at higher elevations in the wanner months and at lower elevations in the cooler months. The location of rooting in different \\/egetation types appeared to be related to elevational movement in response to changes in ambient temperature, to food availability, and to farroWing activity. Rooting was common in hemlock and closed-oak types during the spring, in the northern hardwood type during the warmer spring and Slimmer, and in the closed-oak type and fields during the fall and winter. Establishment of a rooting extent index (REO offers potential as a technique for monitoring population trends of the European wild hog.
