Camp Roberts Sat. update

[Boar Tracks CA]

Todays pig total is 8 hogs,and over 200 hunters. I think the word is out on CR now,because last year there was only 30 plus hunters. I could not get over to CR this weekend because of a last minute elk hunt at FHL(helping spot only).I will be there for the 13&14 hunt. Hope to see you all there.

 

[Loye]

200 hunters!!!

Must of been a zoo. Im kind of optimistic on going in Dec. with all those people. What does FHL usually average ?

 

[Rancho Loco]

It was just a zoo at the check in.
The poor MP checking in the firearms did a great job staying cool, but his eyes got pretty big when he took the time to scan the crowd.
It was also THE hot tip to download/print the firearm registration application, because they ran out just after I checked mine in. The MP had to make a call to get some more jetted in. Another thing I noticed at the firearm check-in...Some folks need some quick refreshers on firearm handling.

Once clear - people spread out pretty fast. I was chased out of my first couple of spots by the river by bird hunters, but the third spot I checked out was all me. Lots of good sign, and a million quail hiding from the hunters on the other side of the river.

 

[prohunter]

those crowds are scaring me too!

 

[VHRAM]

wow that is alot of people. is it like this every weekend now?

 

[Cda55]

I was there for a 1/2 day hunt Saturday. It seems like 200 is a lot of people but, I really didn't see many. I hunted area 1 and 3. I wanted to sit on Avery Res. but it was dried up and closed to hunting.

Had a good time. Jumped a big bobcat in area 3.

 

[GUNNER5569]

we had a good time we hunted the river seen 2 cow elks at the west end of tower rd and seen probally about 35 does and a few yearlings and 1 bob cat and a small covy of quial seen two guys cleaning pig but didnt see any for us to shoot at but the crowd wasnt bad concidering the amount of people and the weather was very nice lowell sorry we missed you i had the 12 pk on ice for you maybe we will catch you next time i took some pics if they turn out i will post them

ps it was nice meeting cda55 and lawdog

 

[Stryder]

Is there any way to find out how many were birdhunting, pighunting with a rifle vs. pig hunting in the muzzleloader/shotgun/bow areas? I'm definately bringing my bow and my 50 cal, just gotta make sure it's all sighted in.
Dennis

 

[Mel Carter]

Hey Lowell,
So what were the totals for the entire weekend? Do you think that the 200 hunters was due to the long holiday weekend, or is it normally like this on all weekends? To everyone else who showed up, with 200 hunters what time do you recommend getting in line for the 13th hunt. Did anyone feel crowed? See ya in a few weeks. It looks like another buddy of mine will be going, if he does, looks for a motorhome towing a green jeep, that will be me.

 

[BuckFinder]

Unfortunately, Camp Roberts has been exposed. As Boar Tracks has said, the number of hunters this year is up over 400% normal. The October hunt was the first indicator that things were declining for Camp Roberts. The poor guy at the check station in October was left high and dry as Fish and Game had never seen such high numbers of hunters for this hunt.
Two things stand out....Hunter success rates for all species have been drastically reduced. And two, Safety is now a huge concern. Too many hunters in certain areas. The shotgun/archery areas are so unsafe I void the area like the plague. Its the fact that the slug pig hunters, the archery pig hunters and upland game hunters all share a very tight, brushy area. It is only a matter of time before an accident occurs in this area...I think it is time for Camp Roberts to re-evaluate its program and make a few critical changes...I know most long term Camp Robert hunters agree.

 

[Mel Carter]

I would agree that the success rates will be lower due to the extra hunters, but does anyone else agree with Buckfinders comments on safety. I wanted to hunt the archery/shotgun areas but now maybe having second thoughts. Boartracks, do you feel safety is a concern now? Thanks for the heads up Buckfinder

 

[Slugblaster]

The shotgun zone does get alot of traffic and it is only a matter of time before a slug fworks it's way through the brush and hits someone. Also there are more no hunting signs up at the bridge which closes off a portion of the zone. The high country of zone 4-rifle-is closed for that purple flower and thats a huge chunk of deer and pig habitat.

 

[subfan]

I am a little nervous now myself...

 

[Walrus]

There goes my plans! Sounds a little toooooo crowded. Think I might just go local with my A31 tag and give that a shot. Looks like I'll pin my hopes on "pork" on the next Tejon event. Be safe and Good Luck to all...

 

[Shot]

I don't think I will be attended CR anytime soon. There were a lot of people there and a lot of shoots fired. It is only a matter of time until someone gets hurt.

 

[Boar Tracks CA]

I do think things are getting out of hand with the numbers. After the Dec 13 and 14 hunt I will not be envolved in the hunting program at CR. I will be with another unit at CR but will not have any say in what goes on.I will let the CO know about the concerns about the number of hunters and safety.

 

[mrgadget]

Lowell, do you think it's going to be packed for Dec. 13-14? If so I think I'll pass as we were going to bring some junior hunters....

 

[Boar Tracks CA]

I think it is going to be packed.

 

[Speckmisser]

Lowell,

Is there a contact email or number where these guys can post up their concerns directly to the CO?

I know it's a complex thing, but it does sound like the success of the hunting program could choke itself out real quick without some controls (if it's really that bad). Could very well be time to look at some kind of limited entry scenario... either first come-first served or even a lottery.

 

[BLASTMASTER]

Originally posted by Boar Tracks CA@Dec 2 2003, 09:15 AM
I will let the CO know about the concerns about the number of hunters and safety.

Maybe you could suggest a limited number determined either by reservation, or on a first-come first-serve basis. Don't they already have a reservation thing going for openning day?

I hope this doesn't mess-up my trip there on 12/27&28.