Considering joining "wilderness unlimited"

[theseacow]

While wandering around at the San Mateo Expo Center this morning, I came across the booth for the private hunting club, "wilderness unlimited". They informed me that I would have access to private ranches to hunt whenever I wished, and access to those ranches are on somewhat of a senoirity level in thier club. I filled out a form for one of their members to contact me within the next few weeks, so I could find out what they charge and what I would get access to. Does anybody know what their rates are for pig hunting ranches? Is it expensive? Id love to join a club that would allow me to hunt private ranches anytime. Also, for a new member, are their many decent places to hunt for pigs?

Anybody here a member that wouldnt mind giving me the real scoop before WI contacts me. If it looks good, I wouldnt want to get ripped off, so thats why Im asking here.

If its not expensive, and they promise quality ranch access anytime, I'll probably join.

thanks,
-theseacow

 

[Speckmisser]

AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somebody!?!

Seacow, you really should've done a search on Wilderness Unlimited before you ask this one.

This topic almost ALWAYS draws down the house.

You can find me under yon rock.

 

[theseacow]

Oops!

Sounds like I hit a nerve here on JHO.

I just did an advanced search (+wilderness +unlimited), and a whole lot came up on it. Everybody reffered to the problems there were with it, but I never really did find any specifics, except that apparantly some guy here was spamming the board trying to recruit people. Also, it seems that making a reservation to hunt on a weekend is also near impossible. Is this true?

Sounds pretty bad, and looks like ill scratch that out. Any other specific problems anyone wants to name? Im sure somebody likes them, but if its greater bad then good for weekend pig hunting, I won't even consider joining.



-theseacow

 

[Native Instinct]

OOPS I did it again? Britney joins WU?

 

[Shot]

The only thing WU is good for is taking the family on camping trips, not to busy of an area and clean. For hunting, specially pigs, your chances are the same on public land. The only pigs that I have seen taken on WU are the ones in their advertisment.

When they call you, ask them a bunch of questions, like whats the success rate? or, I can go hunting when ever I want? and you will see for yourself that they will give you the run around.

 

[theseacow]

thanks shot.

thats the answer I was looking for.




-theseacow

 

[raidernation]

Ditto.

 

[wmidbrook]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

For hunting, specially pigs, your chances are the same on public land.[/b]

That's simply not the case and is very harsh--I'm no super hunter by any means. WU has some decent pig properties that are far better than public ground for hogs.

The only year I belonged (2000) I shot 1 hog, and saw others harvest hogs, and personally saw hogs on 4 different properties in WU.

I quit WU for other reasons which you could read about on other posts on the subject.

 

[MNHNTR]

Last year I had a WU guy stop by the house. Very nice "salesman," the idea sounds great (ie. private, security etc) but I already had read the comments on JHO and knew what to expect. The price is a little steep, I think it was 1200. or so per year plus initiation fee. He had some nice "pitchers" though! Oh and when I decided not to join he made the statement that that was my last chance! Like I could not join that year since I had refused...... strange.....

 

[Shot]

Originally posted by wmidbrook@Feb 1 2004, 09:01 AM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

For hunting, specially pigs, your chances are the same on public land.

That's simply not the case and is very harsh--I'm no super hunter by any means. WU has some decent pig properties that are far better than public ground for hogs.

The only year I belonged (2000) I shot 1 hog, and saw others harvest hogs, and personally saw hogs on 4 different properties in WU.

I quit WU for other reasons which you could read about on other posts on the subject. [/b][/quote]
Lets say they do have some decent properties for pigs. Can you hunt them when ever you want? Not from what I heard.

I have seen more pigs taking on public land then I have heard of pigs taken on WU, but thats my experience. Besides for $1200 thats 3 guided hunts.

 

[manfreddy]

Don't be intimidated by the hard sell.

If you want to join, good for you. If you don't, let the salesman know.

PM or email me if you want to hear my story about the WU 'salesman'.

 

[oltean]

i been member for 8 years,is not easy to please everybody,you have to call,and make a rez..is not easy to find places to hunt pigs in ca.

 

[Mel Carter]

theseacow,
If you really want to know everything about WU, PM me and I tell you. I use to work for them as a salesman. All I will say right now is that the clubs not for everyone, but they're a lot of happy members also, PM me.

 

[doccherry]

I've been a member for about 6 years now and have take 9 or 10 hogs. Some of the properties [two in Southern CA] are quite good for hogs. A good hunter would probably have a 25% chance of taking a hog during a two-day hunt. A few properties in North Central CA are really good for hogs. Several properties I have hunted hold hogs but the success rate is quite low.

I have had no success getting reservations on my first choice property on opening day but I've had very little trouble getting reservations after opening day. You have to use some common sense in this---can't wait until the night before because most ranches are limited to 6-8 hunters and they won't bend on this rule.

WU has worked for me but I like to hunt deer, quail, doves, waterfowl, and dive for abalone. If you only plan to hunt hogs, I wouldn't do it. Someone once said the reason people buy books is that they think they're buying the free time to read them. Some people join WU because they think they're buying the free time to hunt. In reality, though, you won't have more free time if you join than you do today. If all you can squeeze in is 4 or 5 hunts per year and your main objective is hogs, go with a guide a couple times and go on a Pig-O-Rama a couple times and you'll get a few hogs at the same expense as a year's dues in WU. If you have a lot of free time and hunt everything, it may be a good buy for you.

I'm fed up with CA in general so my wife and I bought another home in Kona, Hawaii, and will be moving [retiring] in about 3 years, so I'll keep my membership in WU until then. It's worked for me but in all candor the hunting on the ranches is not as good as it was 5 years ago and many of the more productive ranches have been lost to development and anti-hunting owners.

 

[lostagain]

Doccherry,

Different subject but if you are in Hawaii (big island) you've got all the game (deer, pig, phesant, turkey, birds I don't know the name of but taste good) you want. Not sure about abalone though.

 

[Live2hunt]

Theseacow,

If you want to join WU only pig hunting, my advise to you is don't. For $1200 plus $1000 initial fee and you are limited to only two pigs for the whole year. For $2200 you can do about 5 or 6 guide hunt or POR that gives you a chance to harvest 5 or 6 pigs. For the last ten years as a WU member, pig and deer hunting success now are just about the same as Public lands. But if you are into waterfowl hunting, WU is something you may want to consider. Good luck.



L2H

 

[bubba]

ditto to doccherry and Live2Hunt.

They have some good waterfowling props. Southern props for Goose are excellent. Of course, keep in mind that you might be sharing a blind with a stranger. More often than not, everrything is cool, but there will be occasions when you run into the not so pleasant. BTW, you can take a guest to waterfowl properties with you. You can use 3 of your 5 guest passes for waterfowl hunting.

Good luck