Going to "Hog's Wild"

[rwlittle]

Some of us are heading up to Hog's Wild next weekend (father's day weekend...would love to take my son with me but he is only 23 months old.) does anybody out here have any pointers or tips on an area to set up or? We will be hunting in the archery only area and boy am I stoked!!! We have been planning this trip since last Thanksgiving and counting the days. The guys I am going with have been there a few times prior and they tell me it really does not matter too much on where one sets up...uh-huh...sure. they tell me this right after we agree to a pig big contest.

This will only be my 2nd pig hunt, the first being at the Hillside Hog Haven in Sonoma county. Boy-howdy was that a test of endurance!!

Thanks to all that reply.

 

[MikenSoCo]

Can't help you with Hog Wild, sorry. Hey just curious, what was your experience like at Hillside. Did you meet Boarus and his wife?

 

[rwlittle]

Hillside was a great hunt, no doubt about it...and if you are not in shape you will not have a good time, luckily I was in pretty good shape at the time and was still tired as hell. Bob (the guide) had me walking up and down those hills (steep hills at that...makes West Virginia look like Kansas in terms of topography). That ranch is one nice place.

Boarus is HUGE!!! that was the first wild pig I have ever seen...even though he was in captivity. When he snorted, I felt before I heard it. Did not meet his wife though.

 

[bohunter3]

Ive been there 2 x in the Archery area. I recommend the going into the Saddle area at the top of the hill where they drop you off. be patient the pigs come through all morning, on& off.

Ask about the milk weed area in the evening when you get there, sometimes at dusk it gets really busy there. If you go into the milk weed area behind the cabins, watch the weed patches in the center where the dirt road ends. the pigs have tunnels in there you cant see. Ive hunted the lower water hole by the milkweed, but the pigs always head to the milkweed, away from the water

If you have one, a tree stand might help, theres a tree in the middle of it all thre milkweed.

In the afternoon the pigs bed down on the hillsides. it's mostly shale, so its slippery and noisey. You can get away with some noise, but dont talk at all,the sound carrys and the pigs run! They get hunted all the time and know all the tricks. Its a great place, I really enjoy going there.

If the milkweed isnt going well, stay on the hill around the saddle. If you can afford it, ask for a second pig up front at sign up, it s only another $75. In case you stick one and lose it so you can continue hunting. Otherwise the fee is much higher.

Your gonna have fun!!

 

[DonMartin]

I've hunted with Hogs Wild for years. If you want to kill a big hog in their archery area, you're going to have to be at the top of your game! Those pigs are so educated it's ridiculous.

Get in that back canyon and go slow, and I MEAN SLOW!

Literally! Crawl 5 yards, glass, crawl 5 yards, glass, you get the picture! Proceed as if there's a hog behind every bush and you'll do fine!

Bohunter3's advice is sound. If you just stay near the saddle you'll see hogs eventually. I've killed two over 200 lbs in the saddle.

But my biggest(smartest) hog came out of the side canyon, just above the waterfalls!

Just take your time, listen, glass, move. Don't get in a hurry!

BTW, the area West of the flat with the milkweed is rarely hunted, mostly because it's so darned steep, but I've arrowed a couple pigs over there, so it's always worth a look!

Say hi to Larry and Jeremy for me!

Don Martin
www.EndlessSafari.com

 

[rwlittle]

Thanks for the input guys. I will take all advice like the gospel. The guys I am going with who have been there before tell me those pigs are smart and skitish...If they even think for a second that they may have heard something.....they scoot.

I am also going to buy the 2-pig tag for sure. Man, I can't wait!!!!

 

[nextrodeo]

I do just the opposite of everybody else , sit tight and let everybody push the pigs by you at 10 yds.

 

[huntallday]

Just curious where is Hogs Wild located?

 

[rwlittle]

near Coalinga, California (central Cali)