First Hog Hunt: Ready to go

[yellow dog]

Joined Wilderness Unlimited to Duck Hunt in Imperial County. Really enjoyed their clubs. Not as good as Wister most days but could go every week . Now it is time to go hog hunting. Heading up to Hollister at a ranch called Willow Creek. I have heard hog hunting is a little slower this year with a weak acorn crop, but I am hopeful. Got the 30-06 all tuned up and sighted in with lead free bullets. Been watching youtube on the best shot placement. Seems to be between the ear and heart and lungs. Got some advice from the forum on where to look for pigs and check out google earth. Watch youtube on how to skin and butcher a pig. Ready to go Wednesday.
At worst I will have lots of long walks in beautiful country and learn more about hog tracking and hunting.

 

[KTKT70]

Were in so cal are you. I havebeen told you can hunt pigs in d-10 and depending on your location, maybe less drive than going up north. Check for benz or Cummings ranch both have similar game to what you find on the great tejon ranch. Snow could be the only trouble. Not sure tnough. I hunt a ranch in same area but never been on the 2 ranches I told you to check out.

 

[J.Blackburn]

My buddy and I are members of WU. I've never hunted Willow Creek but my buddy hunts it a lot and sees pigs there about every other trip. It's hit or miss but they are in the area! Good luck!

 

[hntboar]

Yellow Dog- post after you hunt Willow Springs. Good Luck.

 

[yellow dog]

Well I tried

First hog hunt was fun, but no cigar. I drove up Wednesday and stayed at San Luis Reservoir and to my surprise they have elk up there. Saw about 150 roaming around the reservoir. Also saw a lot of deer just kicking back. The next morning drove over to Hollister and saw 20 or so hogs on a hill. Went to Willow Creek, set up camp, and went hunting. It rained hard that night so all the roads were pretty messed up. Never been to the property before so I did not know what to expect. I assumed the property would be rolling hills with oak trees. Ended up being pretty steep hills with brush and some meadows. Hiked my ass off for two days.
Did not see any pigs. I think I found a few tracks and a rutting area. Need to learn to tell the difference between deer and pig tracks. Sure looks easy on the internet, not so much in the dirt with smudged tracks.
Anyway, had the whole place pretty much too myself both days. On Friday afternoon, other people showed up and I figured it was time to go. Talked to a patrolman who said he had seen tracks also but no pigs.
I learned a lot and hope to try again. It sure was nice having that much land too myself. I have never had that feeling before.

 

[Bubblehide]

Yellow Dog, congrats on getting out! You'll pick up on the difference between deer and pig tracks pretty quick, the pig tracks are noticeably more rounded at the toes, while deer are more pointed. I'd suggest that next time you go, plan on finding an area where you can glass lots of huntable country from, and be there before the sun comes up, and be there again for the last 2 hours of light in the evening. I often do not hunt from about 10:00am on, unless I am moving to a different area, or exploring an area, as mid day pig hunting is more often than not, not worth while. With that said, my last pig was shot at about 10:00 as I was headed back to camp, and not expecting to see a thing.Lastly, the hotter it is, the more the pigs will be nocturnal; there are of course exceptions to almost everything, but as it gets hotter and hotter, the odds against a pig hunter climb. If you can take a guest, non-hunting or not, I and I'm sure a lot more here would be willing to join you, and bring you up to speed.

 

[jerryt]

Yellow dog did you make allthe way to the north fence. You would have had to do it on foot with the rains but it is the place you should head. THe country over there is very steep and lots of little drainages but the grass and feed is plentiful.