DFG Drawing For Joice Island Pig Hunt At Grizzly

[spectr17]

DFG News Release: For Immediate Release

December 18, 2002

DFG ANNOUNCES DRAWING FOR 2003 JOICE ISLAND PIG HUNT

Contact: Dennis R. Becker, Senior Wildlife Biologist, (707) 425-3828

The California Department of Fish and Game will be holding a limited-entry, permit-only pig hunt to control a small population of wild pigs on the Joice Island Unit of Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in Solano County. Joice Island is a 2150 acre wetland area consisting of thick cattails, tules, some brush and standing water. The first weekend of this hunting opportunity has been reserved for junior hunters. Two-day pig hunt permits will be issued by drawing only for the following weekends:

JUNIOR HUNTERS (12 & over w/ Jr. Lic.) March 8-9, 2003

GENERAL (Adults or Juniors may apply) March 15-16, 2003
March 22-23, 2003
March 29-30, 2003
April 5-6, 2003
April 12-13, 2003

Three hunters will be drawn for each of the six weekends, for a total of 18 hunters. The drawing for the 18 two-day permits will be held on February 19, 2003. Permits with maps and additional information will be mailed to successful applicants. A permit holder may bring one non-hunting partner. Hunters may use dogs for this hunt. NOTE: ONLY SHOTGUNS USING SLUGS WILL BE ALLOWED FOR THIS HUNT.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT:

Send a standard U.S. Postal Service postcard (available at local post offices), with the following information:

Mail Application Card To:

Joice Island Pig Hunt
2548 Grizzly Island Road
Suisun, CA 94585
Hunter Name
Valid Hunting License #
Address
City, State, Zip
Telephone Number
& CHOOSE ONLY ONE HUNT DATE
(Junior hunters must also provide name of adult chaperone)

Application cards must be received by close of business, Tuesday, February 18, 2003. Each hunter may apply only one time and for only one date. Applications will be accepted for parties of up to two hunters, but the card must contain all information for both hunters. Incomplete cards and multiple entries will not be accepted. There is no fee to apply.

 

[RIFLEMAN]

Unbelievable; they are going to allow the use of dogs!!! Maybe DFG is starting to turn the corner on allowing the use of dogs (the most effective method) in meeting their immeditate management goals.

 

[Kentuck]

My buddy got drawn for this hunt the first year it was held. I tagged along. We saw a pig right after getting onto the Island but the other hunter and his brother were in front of us and the pig bolted when their truck stopped. We ended up hiking the entire Island without seeing a pig. We found tons of sign and places others had gotten pigs on the previous hunts. We did come across two piglets, about 25-30 pounds apiece. The other hunter and his brother split in the afternoon and I told my buddy that since it was only a one day hunt we should stick it out. Glad we did. We drove to the end of the road on the North side of the Island and sat in the truck, as the wind was blowing and we were tired of walking. I spot a coyote crossing a mud flat our way. I told my friend to get his gun in case the 'yote got close. The 'yote disappeared and while I was glassing for it I spotted about six pigs going into a tall grassy area about a half-mile away. Mark, my buddy, takes off after the pigs and throws me the keys to his truck as we were parked in the middle of the road. I move the truck (jacked-up Toyota 4X4) and catch up. We spot a hog in the tall grass and he starts to stalk it. Well the wind shifts and the hogs take off. He shot a snap shot off but missed. It's getting late now and we start back to the truck. Mark asks me for the toilet paper I had in my pack and I then told him the packs were back in the truck. Well, he is hustling back to the truck as the Taco Bell we had for lunch is working on him. About half way there he turns to me and asks for his keys because he is about to fill his pants and wants to get to the truck quick. As I reach in my pocket for his keys I look over his shoulder at the truck and see movemnt under it. I first though it was some dogs and when I look a little harder it's about 4-5 pigs and one is rubbing it's back on the trucks rear tire!

Mark is now threating my life for his keys and I'm telling him there are pigs under the truck. He finally turns around and sees them. We hike up to a ditch that ran along the road and ended right at the truck. I was behind him when this pig walks out at about 20 yards and stands broadside. The two more walk up beside it. The two smaller ones move and I tell Mark since it is getting late to shoot it in the head. Well, you have to use a shotgun there and Mark had never hunted with slugs before and had no confidence in them, even he had gone to the range a couple of weeks earlier. He shot and pigs started running everywhere. He shot two more times at another, thinking he had hit one. We watch this pig and three others run all the way across the Island without slowing a bit, so I think he missed. It was too late to try and track them and I didn't find any blood in the short distance we tracked. He was able to return the next morning and try and look but didn't find anything. An amazing hunt regardless of the outcome!

 

[boarrunner]

dogs allowed on a island with hogs for 2 days, I think I just mite have to enter that draw.

 

[Speckmisser]

Wish you could use handguns or muzzleloaders instead of shotgun slugs.

I don't even own a decent slug gun.

 

[RIFLEMAN]

I know what you mean, Speck. I am gonna have to come up with one shortly.

I am like boarrunner on this one...ain't no way I am going to miss out if I can help it.

 

[Two Rugers]

so did any win a spot on this?
Nothing for me. Al I got was a jury duty summons.

 

[shaginator]

Hadn't received anything from DFG, so sounds like I didn't get drawn.

Musta forgot to tape that $20 bill to the entry...

 

[waldo2382]

I guess 2 people that we know of so far have gotten drawn on the attached posting. I haven't received anything from DFG, I keep checking that mail everyday though...it could just be a little late, maybe just a little.

http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/forums/in...ST&f=16&t=31562

 

[Catahoula Kid]

My friend got drawn for 3/15-16. I am going as a guest and his son got drawn for same weekend!! I have been there once before and saw several pigs. I have owned dogs and dont know if i'd be careful about using dogs there.. You cant get out to some of the islands very easily. Sure would be nice to use a rifle. Shotgun slugs are only good up to 100 yds. We are going to use Sabot slugs, they are good up 125 maybe.I saw one biggg hog last time. 2 years ago. A dog might get tore up if you cant get to it fast enough.