I just HAVE to pitch my fit here. I just started hunting again this year. My intent was/is to pass on a way of life and tradition to my American born and raised son. Pig tags were $7 for a "book"... now over $20 for single. This year alone I have seen stupid price hikes from private outfits. Now I understand Guide fees, Insurance..ect. go up. Hogswild, a "premier" hunting hogspot is now increasing its archery prices a couple hundred bones. Archery? Really? 6 bills for a pig? Other places such as Nativehunt are a grand. God forbid you bag a hog over fifty pounds that has one snaggle tooth over an inch long...nother 3 bills please. Its just discouriging to know that those with something to offer need so much more. The cost of preserving an American way of life is outweighing the effort here in good ol' California. Sorry son, but he gotta go hunting at save mart.
- Thread starter obiehall
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asaxon
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BLAME THE HOGS!!!
I blame the hogs.
If what you say is true, it is the “way of life” you want to pass on to your son, then actually shooting a hog is only the final piece – you can hunt semi-guided or places ltdann and Dirty Dave mentioned and enjoy all the hunting fun but simply have far smaller percentage chance of shooting an animal. Take him varmint hunting, take him small game hunting or coyote hunting and of course deer hunting. Take him bird hunting. All of these are pretty accessible on public land from what I understand and so you don’t have to pay much above the basics. You and your son can have great hunting experiences.
As for hog hunting in CA (and apparently most other states), the over aching problem is them hogs ain’t stupid. They go where the best food is – private land.
Ranchers aren’t stupid. They recognize hogs as a resource like barley and they certainly do not want (and thus generally will not allow) some stranger with a potentially deadly weapon coming and shooting on their property No piece of paper - release will protect them from a law suit. This is the USA, they may win the suit but they will need insurance or pay to defend against any law suit no matter how frivolous – “so you stepped in a hole hunting and broke your leg, oh my.”
Good hunting guides aren’t stupid. The average guided (2 day hunt) is about $600 for 2 days. This includes access (either owning property or leasing where generally they pay the owner by the pig), the guide’s time (and a helper generally if there are two hunters), and cutting/skinning. It includes transportation on the ranches which generally means driving all over the ranch on roads/trails you would not do yourself. The day starts before daylight and ends as dark or later likely if you are gutting skinning. They pay $4.00/gallon of gas (as you and I do) and they too can’t get their trucks repaired for less than $1000 at the mechanics today either. With a good guide, you probably have a 99% chance of getting at least one good shot opportunity and from what I’ve seen, many good shot opportunities. The economics of this have been discussed at length previously on this forum in the last year and I won’t repeat it here except to say, IMHO – unless you are going to be one of the very top guides, I would not suggest quitting your daytime job as a way of making a living to raise a family given the prices in California, even if you only shop at “Save Mart”.
There are lots of generalizations here obviously, if you want particulars on a bunch of specific guided hog hunts in Central CA, PM me as I’ve done considerable research on it this year. TBL – you have lots of great options to hunt with your son, but if a hunt with a dead hog at the end of it is important to you and your son, pay the $600, take along a good attitude and make a experience that is like the ad says; “Priceless”.
PS - for those who know me, I promise to stop these long missives once my foot is better. Then I will get up, move around and get away from my computer!
I blame the hogs.
If what you say is true, it is the “way of life” you want to pass on to your son, then actually shooting a hog is only the final piece – you can hunt semi-guided or places ltdann and Dirty Dave mentioned and enjoy all the hunting fun but simply have far smaller percentage chance of shooting an animal. Take him varmint hunting, take him small game hunting or coyote hunting and of course deer hunting. Take him bird hunting. All of these are pretty accessible on public land from what I understand and so you don’t have to pay much above the basics. You and your son can have great hunting experiences.
As for hog hunting in CA (and apparently most other states), the over aching problem is them hogs ain’t stupid. They go where the best food is – private land.
Ranchers aren’t stupid. They recognize hogs as a resource like barley and they certainly do not want (and thus generally will not allow) some stranger with a potentially deadly weapon coming and shooting on their property No piece of paper - release will protect them from a law suit. This is the USA, they may win the suit but they will need insurance or pay to defend against any law suit no matter how frivolous – “so you stepped in a hole hunting and broke your leg, oh my.”
Good hunting guides aren’t stupid. The average guided (2 day hunt) is about $600 for 2 days. This includes access (either owning property or leasing where generally they pay the owner by the pig), the guide’s time (and a helper generally if there are two hunters), and cutting/skinning. It includes transportation on the ranches which generally means driving all over the ranch on roads/trails you would not do yourself. The day starts before daylight and ends as dark or later likely if you are gutting skinning. They pay $4.00/gallon of gas (as you and I do) and they too can’t get their trucks repaired for less than $1000 at the mechanics today either. With a good guide, you probably have a 99% chance of getting at least one good shot opportunity and from what I’ve seen, many good shot opportunities. The economics of this have been discussed at length previously on this forum in the last year and I won’t repeat it here except to say, IMHO – unless you are going to be one of the very top guides, I would not suggest quitting your daytime job as a way of making a living to raise a family given the prices in California, even if you only shop at “Save Mart”.
There are lots of generalizations here obviously, if you want particulars on a bunch of specific guided hog hunts in Central CA, PM me as I’ve done considerable research on it this year. TBL – you have lots of great options to hunt with your son, but if a hunt with a dead hog at the end of it is important to you and your son, pay the $600, take along a good attitude and make a experience that is like the ad says; “Priceless”.
PS - for those who know me, I promise to stop these long missives once my foot is better. Then I will get up, move around and get away from my computer!
obiehall
why don't you buy a ranch and let us hunt on it for free? I'd like to you see pay all the bills on maintaining a ranch- labor, gas, road maintenance, pond maintenance, vehicle repair, mortagage, insuracne (medical, auto and workers comp), property taxes, etc.- and then let strangers hunt your ranch for free. Also maybe you can find a lawyer who would work for you free in case one of us slips on the property and falls and sues you.
why don't you buy a ranch and let us hunt on it for free? I'd like to you see pay all the bills on maintaining a ranch- labor, gas, road maintenance, pond maintenance, vehicle repair, mortagage, insuracne (medical, auto and workers comp), property taxes, etc.- and then let strangers hunt your ranch for free. Also maybe you can find a lawyer who would work for you free in case one of us slips on the property and falls and sues you.
deermagnet
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Sorry you can't find a cheap hunt, the deals that are to good to be true are generally just that. It is expensive to run these hunts and yes landowners see a resource and revenue. And yes we have fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance. If anyone thinks they will get rich from outfitting ,,good luck. When I guide I make 1/2 or even a 1/3 of what I make at my 9-5 job.
That is the ranch part. We have no control over the state and their crazy price hikes. They cannot possible manage the pigs the are 98% on private ground.
We have pig hunts for 2 days at $700 and offer $100 off you youth hunts and run specials thoughout the year for groups. You can come back until you shoot a pigs or miss a bunch of them. We are all about success and having fun!! Have a look and call or email anytime with questions.
www.justforhunting.com
For the kids I wish I could do it for free!
DM
That is the ranch part. We have no control over the state and their crazy price hikes. They cannot possible manage the pigs the are 98% on private ground.
We have pig hunts for 2 days at $700 and offer $100 off you youth hunts and run specials thoughout the year for groups. You can come back until you shoot a pigs or miss a bunch of them. We are all about success and having fun!! Have a look and call or email anytime with questions.
www.justforhunting.com
For the kids I wish I could do it for free!
DM
asaxon
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Come on bmtoth1, no need to flame obiehall. I too am a returning ol' guy so I have some empathy re change plus we all have bad days - bills come in, unexpected costs appear etc. Cut him some slack...an occasional rant is good for the soul. Sounds like you are a rancher or if not, know the ropes. Must be tough today - for me its been 50 years since I had to play with cattle and it was tough for the ranchers I helped then to make it then and I'm sure it is not easier now.
Obiehall: your post doesnt' say where you are located, if you ask about places to hunt close to where you are, I'd hope there are lots of knowledgable folks on this site who can point you in good direction for thing other than pigs without giving away their "secret spots" as Dirty Dan and Ltdann did re pigs. Good luck and get out with the son...
asaxon
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Obiehall, I have heard real good things about this operation but they are too far north for me being located in LA area.
Deermagnet - So what happened to the hunt you gave away to the kid from the Bay Area? And thanks again for offering that and for sponsoring JHO.
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asaxon
yes you are right my family own and operates a 6,000 acre cattle ranch in central california. back in the hayday we use to sell alot of pig hunts for $495 to $795. now we don't mess with the hunting because of the recession. its not worth the time or effort taking people out for a few hundrd bucks which is what everyone wants to pay now adays. people just need to realize that hunting ain't cheap anymore and paying to go on a private property to hunt doesn't go just go in the ranchers pocket as pure profit.
yes you are right my family own and operates a 6,000 acre cattle ranch in central california. back in the hayday we use to sell alot of pig hunts for $495 to $795. now we don't mess with the hunting because of the recession. its not worth the time or effort taking people out for a few hundrd bucks which is what everyone wants to pay now adays. people just need to realize that hunting ain't cheap anymore and paying to go on a private property to hunt doesn't go just go in the ranchers pocket as pure profit.
hogsoplenty
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to own 6000 acres in central california can't be hurtn that bad !
Pro953
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It's not too hard to be land rich and cash poor these days. And trying to offload ranch land in CA right now is no cakewalk if it came to that. especially with regulations regarding subdividing parcels exc. Not a lot of people have the cash to pony up to buy 6K acres and not a lot of baks are financing ag operations at the moment. So if beef prices are low and your cattle operation is not profitable and you cannot offload your land. You can have 6000 acres and still be up to your eyeballs in debt struggling to make payroll every week.
deermagnet
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he hunted one hunt..we did not see alot of pigs that weekend, but did have a big boar inside of 100 yards. just couldn't make it happen at that time. We are working on another date to get him up here. They are coming back for hogs and we will shoot squirrels,,should be good gun practice for the youngster.. He is welcome to come back until he gets a hog.
DM
DM
dkhuntr25
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the best thing to do is make friends with someone that owns land help him out around the ranch and ull have a place to hunt for like and not be paying 700 plus for a stupid hog. this is y i love texas so much. how is it that u can go there and people that buy deer hunts get to shoot all the pigs they want for free?? y is it that a price on a hog hunt there is like 300 tops most are less than that and u get to shoot a few hogs not just one? its greed people that is why people charge so much flat out.
asaxon
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You can look at lots of posts about the costs of it all here in CA on this and lots of earlier threads, I think you may come to appreciate that it is anything but greed. You must have missed those posts. It is the real cost of doing business for dedicated hog hunts rather than incidental take. Life & expenses in Texas quite different than life in CA and so is the availabilty of feral hogs.
HOGHUNTER714
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I have hunted pigs with outfitters from So Cal to Nor Cal and all in between. I have spent an unknown amount of money for the addiction I have created for myself. It truly is something I have a passion for and the number one game animal I hunt. Until a few years ago, I was the guy booking with private outfitters. It really does pay to get out and knock on doors and ask for permission. I have found the private ranch I have access to the ranchers DO NOT want the hogs on the property. They wont seek a hunter out to help with there problem, but if asked and offer something in return, a lot of owners will allow access to help with the destructive habits of hogs. In the day of sue happy people, liability does play a big part in getting access. This world does have some decent people still in it and they are willing to go out on a limb and give people an opportunity...Just my observation and what I have experienced.
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asaxon
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Thanks (plus an "official" thanks) for the F/U. You are "good folk".
Put in for an over the counter javelina tag in AZ. Probaly cost less and you'll have a great time. Bring some 10X50s and scope the sunny sides of hills early in the AM...you'll find them. You are spot on about the cost and unfortunately hunting has become a big raquet and isn't going to get any better. Try Arizona. Apply for the Jan season this way you can get an over the counter deer tag too and enjoy yourself. Me and buddy from here were stationed there and we are planning to put in this coming october. Split the gas and hotel and its probably less than a local pig hunt in CA.
dodgerfan175
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The price for good hunting is expensive almost everywhere you go. I hear a lot of people preaching that we need to get kids started on hunting but the fact remains that most people cannot pony up $200 - $1000 for a hog not to mention lic, tags, gear, gas and everything else involved. Hunting is expensive and getting worse. Hunters are a dying breed and it's just going to get worse. Just my $.02
Caninelaw
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Just pm me the location, gate combo and you can send a .pdf permission slip and I'll handle it on my own. You won't even have to move from your computer. Only a couple minutes of time and effort involved.
