Bedding on North facing hillsides?

[joodaman]

A couple buddies and I did a semi-guided hunt last month at Bryson Ranch with Deedee. We had no luck, but learned a lot, especially after making every rookie mistake we could make.

We're planning on heading the Camp Roberts to try again in a couple weeks, and I was doing some scouting using google maps, etc., trying to narrow down our hunting grounds.

I remember when scouting with Deedee she mentioned that pigs only bed down on North facing hillsides. Is this true? and why? She explained the reasoning behind this to us, but I can't remember exactly why this was true.

Any other help or advice on hunting pigs at roberts is appreciated.

thanks.

 

[Kentuck]

North facing slopes are cooler.

 

[BigSurArcher]

Interesting. I just did a rundown in my head of 5 or so of my known pig bedding hillsides (ranging from Mendocino County to Monterey County), and they all face south. Probably just depends on the area.

 

[nickmetz]

I do know that South facing slopes in California get more sun.

South facing windows and roofs get more sun, that's why solar panels face south and not north on California houses. Which is probably why the north is cooler, and in the 5 pig hunts in cooler climates the pigs were bedding on the south facing slopes. It probably was regional due to the climate and could be read differently in cooler climates, where pigs sleep south to keep warmer. Hope this helps.

 

[joodaman]

makes sense.

thanks for the info.

 

[Huntr Pat]

I shot Boar in the month of Jan bedded under a tree on south east facing slope. He was little over 1/4 ways from the top.

 

[BigSurArcher]

Which is probably why the north is cooler, and in the 5 pig hunts in cooler climates the pigs were bedding on the south facing slopes.

These are on ranches I've hunted year round for years and years whenever I want. Definitely not just 5 hunts. The same south facing hillsides have held bedded hogs the whole time.

 

[k_rad]

Hey Big Sur we have all seen the posts on here of your pig kills so your experience would win out over classroom scientific pig theory, but. On ranches like Tejon and a few others I have hunted I have noticed that the thickest stuff on primarily north facing slopes has had pigs, beds, deer etc. I have also noticed that in the places that held pigs or at least bedding areas there was almost always water. Do the south facing slopes hold alot of cover and water? Also once when I was on a winery tour with my wife one of the tour guides said that the reason the central coast of Ca. had great wine country was because the coastal mountain range from Santa Barbara north was oriented west to east instead of north to south like the rest of the ranges in the US CAN and Mex. Think that may have a bearing on where pigs make their beds? And the last but most important question of all. What factors do you notice about where pigs prefer to bed? Keep in mind of course that I (as an impartial observer with a gun for protection) will have to go on a hunt with you to one of your secret spots to see if this theory is actually fact...:bounce-aqua:

 

[XDHUNTER]

It depends on availability of food and cover.my 2cts . Shot couple of pigs at tejon and obserb a couple that came out of three different bedding area. North,southand west.The last one our group shot 2 pig out of 5 that are bedded on the south facing slope.

 

[3056_HUNTER]

during hot weather it is all about the north facing slopes. when it is cold the will bed/feed on the southfacing slope. They are comfort orientated animals.

 

[myfriendis410]

I've seen hogs bed down in two inch high grass on a flat plain. It also depends on pressure. Hogs don't regulate temperature well and they do tend to place themselves where they are most comfortable (assuming they aren't being pushed around by hunters). During the warm months we usually find their beds on the North facing slopes but don't forget the thick and nasty too. (creek bottoms, poison oak, tules etc.)

 

[greatbasin]

joodaman,
PM sent.

 

[MtnCruzr]

Northeast facing slopes hold the most moisture/vegitation and will hold the most game in general, talk to a wildlife bioligist. It is true in colder climates and with pressure all bets are off, and in hot weather pigs tend to get in the deepest/steepest revine and get out of the heat of the day. I have killed them in their beds and out in the open grasslands, search for travel routes at dusk and dawn, find movement and sit and wait. They are a creature of habit until pressured out of the area they are familiar with.

Now go kill'em.

 

[hunterdoug]

3056 & 410 have it weather. they will find cover on the slopes that offer the best temps for comfort. I've found them bedding in the open in sunshine when cold enough, but the thick stuff is always close by for escapes.