Mariosjsk8
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thanx a lot
Mario
- Thread starter Mariosjsk8
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thanx a lot
Mario
Hey Mario
You are asking a lot. I am not sure how to answere all those questions, except to say that you might ought to take someone with you that has hunted before.
You should have a way to at least field dress and ice your kill, if you do get one, for sure.
Take a compass and map. if you have one a GPS would be nice.
I guess I am lazy, but I like to hunt big trails near water, pigs spend a lot of time in the mud.
Good luck, and be safe...........Dufus
You are asking a lot. I am not sure how to answere all those questions, except to say that you might ought to take someone with you that has hunted before.
You should have a way to at least field dress and ice your kill, if you do get one, for sure.
Take a compass and map. if you have one a GPS would be nice.
I guess I am lazy, but I like to hunt big trails near water, pigs spend a lot of time in the mud.
Good luck, and be safe...........Dufus
theseacow
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Mario,
Welcome fellow San Jose hog hunter. Im from San Jose as well, and have been hunting public land ALOT lately. Ive been doing alot of research, and would love to share it with you if you wish. Send me an email if you wish to talk hog hunting. Its great to have fellow hog hunters in the same city.
-theseacow
Welcome fellow San Jose hog hunter. Im from San Jose as well, and have been hunting public land ALOT lately. Ive been doing alot of research, and would love to share it with you if you wish. Send me an email if you wish to talk hog hunting. Its great to have fellow hog hunters in the same city.
If you have access to a piece of property with hogs on it...PM me and I would be more than willing to help you take your first hog with a rifle.
Other than that you will need...Rifle, ammo, water, binocs (min 7x35), a good sharp knife (I like the Case Trapper $50). Rope, just in case you have to drag the hog a distance.
If it is hot and you have a ways to drive before you can skin the hog then bring some old plastic milk containers with frozen water in them to put in side the cavity to cool the hog.
Get on top of ridges and let your binocs do your walking. Keep the wind in your face as hogs might not be able to see too well but they have good ears and an excellent nose.
MOST IMPORTANT...DON'T EVER SHOOT FROM A STANDING POSITION UNLESS YOU ARE USING A TREE OR SHOOTING STICKS TO REST THE RIFLE AGAINST. When you see a hog you want to shoot, sit on your butt and bring your knees up and rest your elbows on the knees. Use your back pack to lean the rifle against or a log or a tree. But don't shoot standing off hand unless you are extremely close and you HAVE to. After sighting in your new rifle, practice a number of shots from various positions...belly, butt, leaning against something. This way you will have a feel for how the rifle will shoot in these positions.
Buy a book or video on how to field dress an animal...It's not difficult.
HUNT ALL DAY!!
If you are not familiar with the property you are hunting then take a compass, lighter, GPS. maps. Let someone know where you will be and when to expect you back. Keep the following items in the truck...Blanket, tarp, shovel, axe, extra water, some wood planks just in case you get stuck in the mud and a jack to lift the truck.
Best thing to do is take someone with you to help field dress and skin the animal after you have shoot it.
Have a great hunt and let us know how you do.
Other than that you will need...Rifle, ammo, water, binocs (min 7x35), a good sharp knife (I like the Case Trapper $50). Rope, just in case you have to drag the hog a distance.
If it is hot and you have a ways to drive before you can skin the hog then bring some old plastic milk containers with frozen water in them to put in side the cavity to cool the hog.
Get on top of ridges and let your binocs do your walking. Keep the wind in your face as hogs might not be able to see too well but they have good ears and an excellent nose.
MOST IMPORTANT...DON'T EVER SHOOT FROM A STANDING POSITION UNLESS YOU ARE USING A TREE OR SHOOTING STICKS TO REST THE RIFLE AGAINST. When you see a hog you want to shoot, sit on your butt and bring your knees up and rest your elbows on the knees. Use your back pack to lean the rifle against or a log or a tree. But don't shoot standing off hand unless you are extremely close and you HAVE to. After sighting in your new rifle, practice a number of shots from various positions...belly, butt, leaning against something. This way you will have a feel for how the rifle will shoot in these positions.
Buy a book or video on how to field dress an animal...It's not difficult.
HUNT ALL DAY!!
If you are not familiar with the property you are hunting then take a compass, lighter, GPS. maps. Let someone know where you will be and when to expect you back. Keep the following items in the truck...Blanket, tarp, shovel, axe, extra water, some wood planks just in case you get stuck in the mud and a jack to lift the truck.
Best thing to do is take someone with you to help field dress and skin the animal after you have shoot it.
Have a great hunt and let us know how you do.
Mariosjsk8
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wow, thanx a lot orso with that information.
As for getting a experienced hunter to come with me... I think I know some people that can go. So a video on dressing a pig? Where can I score one of those beauties?
Once again ORSO THANX!!!!
As for getting a experienced hunter to come with me... I think I know some people that can go. So a video on dressing a pig? Where can I score one of those beauties?
Once again ORSO THANX!!!!
Rancho Loco
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First - go scout the area. Bring your rifle and supplies just in case you run across one - but mainly you're going to be looking around.
When you are scouting, you'll be looking for pigs and sign, but also pay attention to neighboring structures, highways, schools, churshes, and anything else you don't want to shoot around. We're not just talking across the fence - think miles under the right conditions.
Now that the grass has greened up and the dirt is soft, the easiest sign to find would be rooting. This is going to look EXACTLY like someone rototilled areas of grass with a machine. I was at a ranch last week and it looked like artillery had creamed the pastures. Once you know what the rooting looks like, and if it looks like it's getting worked over pretty well, start looking for trails where the pigs are moving to and from their bedding areas, water (very important), and areas they are feeding. If there are many pigs, and they're using this trail alot, it will look like a pig highway.
Next - follow these trails if possible to find water and wallows. Pigs need water a couple of times a day, and need wallows for their beauty treatments. Look closely around the wallows, and you'll start to notice rubs where they scratch their itchies.
Now that you've found areas of major activity, start looking for spots to possibly ambush them when they're moving in the early AM or early PM. Keep the wind in mind, and remember that it most likely will switch directions from AM to PM, so pick your ambush spots carefully.
All this time you're learning about where they're moving, you should be using your binoculars to look for any other activity, and possibly a real live hog. Most likely they'll be bedded down for the day, unless there's a good crop of barley, and no hunting pressure at all. Bedding areas are usually in thick brush, with tunnels going deep into where they hang during the day. You can notice the difference between pig tunnels and other game tunnels in that pigs aren't too gracefull in their movements, and the pig tunnels will have lots of broken branches and twigs. You should be able to pick out their tracks now compared to deer, since deer won't be going into those three foot high tunnels.
If you decide to go into these tunnels to say "hi", be properly armed.
Now that you're ready to jump a pig, make sure you use the right ammo, and shoot them in the right spot.
Use a tough bullet - Core-lokts, Deep-shoks, failsafes, Barnes X, Sciroccos...Don't use ballistic tips or generic bullets.
The heart is just above the front elbow. Don't shoot them in the shoulder. You can shoot them in the ear, but you better be sure of your accuracy, since the kill spot is alot smaller. This goes for neck shots, too.
That's it for now, I'm sure others will chime in.
The main thing to do IMO the first time is to just go scout around and find out all you can about the pig's movements and areas of activity - feeding, water, and wallows.
Good luck!
When you are scouting, you'll be looking for pigs and sign, but also pay attention to neighboring structures, highways, schools, churshes, and anything else you don't want to shoot around. We're not just talking across the fence - think miles under the right conditions.
Now that the grass has greened up and the dirt is soft, the easiest sign to find would be rooting. This is going to look EXACTLY like someone rototilled areas of grass with a machine. I was at a ranch last week and it looked like artillery had creamed the pastures. Once you know what the rooting looks like, and if it looks like it's getting worked over pretty well, start looking for trails where the pigs are moving to and from their bedding areas, water (very important), and areas they are feeding. If there are many pigs, and they're using this trail alot, it will look like a pig highway.
Next - follow these trails if possible to find water and wallows. Pigs need water a couple of times a day, and need wallows for their beauty treatments. Look closely around the wallows, and you'll start to notice rubs where they scratch their itchies.
Now that you've found areas of major activity, start looking for spots to possibly ambush them when they're moving in the early AM or early PM. Keep the wind in mind, and remember that it most likely will switch directions from AM to PM, so pick your ambush spots carefully.
All this time you're learning about where they're moving, you should be using your binoculars to look for any other activity, and possibly a real live hog. Most likely they'll be bedded down for the day, unless there's a good crop of barley, and no hunting pressure at all. Bedding areas are usually in thick brush, with tunnels going deep into where they hang during the day. You can notice the difference between pig tunnels and other game tunnels in that pigs aren't too gracefull in their movements, and the pig tunnels will have lots of broken branches and twigs. You should be able to pick out their tracks now compared to deer, since deer won't be going into those three foot high tunnels.
If you decide to go into these tunnels to say "hi", be properly armed.
Now that you're ready to jump a pig, make sure you use the right ammo, and shoot them in the right spot.
Use a tough bullet - Core-lokts, Deep-shoks, failsafes, Barnes X, Sciroccos...Don't use ballistic tips or generic bullets.
The heart is just above the front elbow. Don't shoot them in the shoulder. You can shoot them in the ear, but you better be sure of your accuracy, since the kill spot is alot smaller. This goes for neck shots, too.
That's it for now, I'm sure others will chime in.
The main thing to do IMO the first time is to just go scout around and find out all you can about the pig's movements and areas of activity - feeding, water, and wallows.
Good luck!
Speckmisser
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Welcome aboard, Mario!
Good advice all around (I'd disagree about the neck shot... but not right now
).
I'd also do some digging to find diagrams of a pig's vital organs. While the heart is situtated just as Rancho Loco mentioned, a heart shot is pretty tough. Because it's situated so low, it's also easy to completely miss. Instead, I'd recommend moving up the body about a third of the way, and still right behind the leg/shoulder. You'll catch lungs at least, and heart if you're a little low.
As to the tunnels thing... well, you're welcome to go in, and you might see something. But odds are, especially if you're alone, all you'll succeed in doing is pushing the hogs out. Those tunnels are no place for a rifle, especially the 710. A big-bore handgun (.41 or better) or a shotgun with slugs is the best bet.
Good hunting!
Good advice all around (I'd disagree about the neck shot... but not right now
I'd also do some digging to find diagrams of a pig's vital organs. While the heart is situtated just as Rancho Loco mentioned, a heart shot is pretty tough. Because it's situated so low, it's also easy to completely miss. Instead, I'd recommend moving up the body about a third of the way, and still right behind the leg/shoulder. You'll catch lungs at least, and heart if you're a little low.
As to the tunnels thing... well, you're welcome to go in, and you might see something. But odds are, especially if you're alone, all you'll succeed in doing is pushing the hogs out. Those tunnels are no place for a rifle, especially the 710. A big-bore handgun (.41 or better) or a shotgun with slugs is the best bet.
Good hunting!
PIGIG
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Mario, it looks as though everything is coverd here but one important thing
see the picture, read the picture, BE the picture.
the purple area with a good quailty bullet as mentioned aboved should be fine but i would avoid this area especially with a bow
see the picture, read the picture, BE the picture.
the purple area with a good quailty bullet as mentioned aboved should be fine but i would avoid this area especially with a bow
Hi Guys,
I used to live in San Jose but relocated to Minnesota years ago. I am going to be in the bay area the end of March. I am looking to go on a wild boar hunt. I was wondering if you guys either want to get together for a weekend hunt or maybe you can inform me about some opportunities in the area. I would be interested in using a guide also. I have been looking in the Holister area so far without any luck. I am trying to keep the costs down if possible but I do have a budget. Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
I would be hunting with a bow.
I am hoping since you live in the area you might have some insight.
Heck, I used to go for walks up behind Saratogo all the time. There has to be some pigs in the Santa Cruz mountains!
I used to live in San Jose but relocated to Minnesota years ago. I am going to be in the bay area the end of March. I am looking to go on a wild boar hunt. I was wondering if you guys either want to get together for a weekend hunt or maybe you can inform me about some opportunities in the area. I would be interested in using a guide also. I have been looking in the Holister area so far without any luck. I am trying to keep the costs down if possible but I do have a budget. Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
I would be hunting with a bow.
I am hoping since you live in the area you might have some insight.
Heck, I used to go for walks up behind Saratogo all the time. There has to be some pigs in the Santa Cruz mountains!
Speckmisser
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Jen,
You might want to touch base with Chopper (BigTusker) on this list. He runs an archery-only outfit. There are a bunch of JHO guys going with him in March. I think that hunt is full, but you may be able to get in on something else.
You might want to touch base with Chopper (BigTusker) on this list. He runs an archery-only outfit. There are a bunch of JHO guys going with him in March. I think that hunt is full, but you may be able to get in on something else.
Speckmisser
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SD's right. Shoot, I've had that book for so long, I forgot I had it!
I believe he's selling a newer version since I bought mine.
I believe he's selling a newer version since I bought mine.
PIGIG
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Get a copy of Bob Robb's book "Hunting Wild Boar in California." It is a great resource that will answer all your questions and more.
i just got done reading the Hunting Wild Boar in California II it has a lot of information it reminded me of a lot of tactics i have not used in a long time plus it give his opinion on public land and where to go as well as some private land.
There's another book out there also. Hacen't read it yet though. Bobb Robbs Book is good. Just keep in mind it was written quite a while ago. Some info on Public lands could have changed.
Here's the other book:
The Complete Guide to Hunting Wild Boar in California
by Gary Kramer
Here's the other book:
The Complete Guide to Hunting Wild Boar in California
by Gary Kramer
