Guide feedback

[1Irishguy]

I am a novice hunter interested in setting up a guided hunt for hogs in California. I know many of you have used guides in the past and described the experience.

What I would like is feedback from you regarding who you used and why you would or would not recommend them.

I have numerous years of experience with firearms and have spent the past 18 months becoming very familiar with the rifle I will use on this hunt.

Any and all advice is welcome. The reason for the guide is two fold...the experience (especially the care after the kill) and the success rate on private vs. public lands.

Thanks in advance!
1Irishguy
so as not to clutter up the board, you can email your response to me at speedstream9@yahoo.com

 

[Speckmisser]

Welcome Irishguy, and don't worry about "cluttering up the board". This is the kind of information that this perfect for this site... good, honest guide reviews and information.

All that said, I've only used two guides in CA so far, and one of them is no longer guiding. The other is Ed Sparling, Las Viboras Ranch out of Hollister. He generally runs dog hunts, so if that's your thing he's good at it...and he has a great property.

Hopefully, some of the other guys will post up about the guides they've used and their experiences. I've seen at least four or five guides mentioned multiple times on this list, so I know they're out there.

Good luck!

 

[waldo2382]

Ditto to what Speckmisser said. there are a lot of good guides out there, but there there are also some not-so-good. It is a lot of what fits your needs and some phone calls. Go search some of the posts on this board and you're going to find some quality guides out there and you'll have the time of your life. Personnally, I like the Works Wildlife Management Ranch (www.pig-hunt.com) with Bert. Now is a good time to go, get your pig one day and shoot dove, quail and hopefully a coyote the next. Anyway Jesse has some good guides listed too: http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/calhog.html#guides . Anyway, make some phone calls, read some threads and you'll be good to go.

....Man just talking about this is making me itchin' to get out there...

 

[Freedivr2]

Ask SDHNTR what he thinks about Mustang Guide service.....he's been going there for many, many years and is totally happy with them and how they run it, and their fees, etc. They're out of King City. I've also heard a lot of good reports about Boaring Experiences (I believe they are in Colinga and hunt there and/or around the Parkfield area).

I used Tom Willoughby for my first guided hog trip a dozen years ago. He was great and still in the business. I'd use him again in a heartbeat.

I would NOT use a guy named Eldon Bergon.....I tried him once for a deer hunt and he was anything but honest.....he had two other clients (that was a suprise) to hunt with me, and worse than anything, took us to PUBLIC land in Pogo, along with about 100 other hunters who were already there because we got there late (Eldon had to stop for breakfast in Atascadero). He also told us all not to tell anyone he was guiding us, don't know what that was all about. Just not on the up and up. That little episode was about 15 years ago. Terrible experience.

 

[1Irishguy]

Freedivr2,

Thanks for the advice! I have seen quite a bit on the board about Boaring Experiences and just had another friend mention Willoughby.

I am sure I will book with one of those two soon.

Thanks again!
1Irishguy

 

[SDHNTR]

I have also heard good things from Tom Willoughby and Boaring Experiences. I have hunted about 12 times with Mustang Guide Service and personally would not use anyone else. I know there was another member on this board who had a less than favorable experience but I have never had anything but the greatest time with Frank and his crew. Many other members here have hunted with him and have had good times too. His prices are about the best around and he has a ton of land to hunt. Best of all he is an honest man and his crew is a ton of fun to hunt with. Go with a good attitude and stay flexible. Remember, these guides live and work with these hogs and know their behaivor better than you do. Listen to them and take their advice. If you have any special needs or requests make them clearly known before hand. Be sure you know your weapon and it is adequate (.270 or bigger is best). Their job is to get you a workable shot opportunity. Your job is to make it count. Lastly, if you are happy with the service, tip accordingly (10%+). Good Luck.