Guided hunts - are prices to high?

[bpnclark]

Isn’t spending $600-$800 on a pig hunt getting boring? Life is too short to spend it hunting hogs in CA. Go out of state.

 

[upper]

No really 7-Mag what is your solution? Give us one,can you?No really ,can you?Rember solution! Upper,out

 

[Shot]

QUOTE (upper @ Jan 8 2008, 04:51 PM)

Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with people charging what they want for a hunt. Its a free market and I love it. I wouldn't want it any other way.

What bothers me is how pigs are managed like game animals in this state.

QUOTE (SacFireJT @ Jan 8 2008, 06:31 PM)

Um, dude, they are managed like game animals in this state because they are game animals! Pig hunting in California today is reportedly more popular than deer hunting.

I find it ironic that you are complaining about hogs being game animals when you have a motivation to hunt them. And, if you feel OK about people charging anything they want for a hog hunt, then why complain about the cost of a private land hog hunt?

Don't you think something is wrong when a non-native nuisance animal is considered a game animal?! Do you not know why we have the DFG in the first place?! You think Fish and Game Commission's where created for the hunters?! We are here to restore nature to is natural state, we are conservationist and I will be damned if I ever thought of conserving a non-native animal.

I know pig hunting is more popular than deer hunting. There are several factors for this. First, its cheaper, if you considered guided hunts its way cheaper. Second, season is open year round (I wonder why?). Third, no bag limit (I wonder why?).

Its not ironic at all. I started hog hunting in Iran, Armenian, Russia, and Germany. In these areas hogs are native and abundant. My first hunt was a hog hunt, this is why I love hog hunting. Now, as a hunter I truly believe that we are the number conservationist, we pour thousands of dollars a year to help wildlife. What I find ironic is why we help the population of non-native pigs (the obvious reasons is money). Like a said before, I blame the state, they are obviously cashing in with the pig tags, and I don't see why they would ever change that, unless its to increase the price of a tag. I love a free market, thats how I can afford my luxuries, and therefore I don't blame anyone making money in any legal way, I blame the State/Government. I complained about the cost because I believe it should be illegal to charge for pigs (remember conservationist). Yes, I love hunting pigs but don't forget I love being a conservationist even more, thats why it is not ironic.

We can't have every thing our way. Having free hog hunts in this state will never happend, the market won't allow that to happen. Now, I can be bitter about it and don't hunt pigs at all, or I dish out some money and hunt my favorite animal. I have to tell you, there is definitly a threshold on the price and for me its not there yet (I can see how for some it has).

 

[Rancho Loco]

QUOTE (7magHunter @ Jan 8 2008, 07:51 PM)

Do you own hunting land?
Just curious why do you enjoy and celebrate the high prices, is this in any way good for you?
If you're a land owner that makes a living with pig hunts it would make sense to me, but if you pay to hunt It wouldn't make sense, so why you like to get rip off?
Are you worry that lower prices can bring more hunters and then wouldn't be enough piggies for you next time?
Please explain?

QUOTE (Rancho Loco @ Jan 8 2008, 06:54 PM)

Capitalism and Free Enterprise.

What's your solution?

QUOTE (7magHunter @ Jan 8 2008, 06:40 PM)

I asked first!

And I answered why I support whatever the market bears.

Now I'll ask you..

What is your solution?
Rancho ,

 

[upper]

Shot,Shot ShShoShaaot.You are quoting you not me.But I agree hogs should not be GAME animals.There are alot of non native species that are regulated,Turkey, Pheasant ,Chuckar.My stand is Hogs do nothing good for the enviroment they live in and should be greatly reduced around any holding I have.Ever seen a pristine spring FOULED by the swine.I am stopping here Upper,OUT

 

[bigtusker]

You guys should spend more time griping to the State Parks for shelling out over $60K to a professional trapper to kill nearly 4000 pigs in Henry Coe State Park.

Bottom line: Hunting on private property is going to cost you money unless it's your friends or familys ranch. If you dont want to pay the price because you think it's too high, dont pay it. Find somewhere else to hunt

 

[7magHunter]

QUOTE (upper @ Jan 8 2008, 08:13 PM)

No really 7-Mag what is your solution? Give us one,can you?No really ,can you?Rember solution! Upper,out

Solution is very simple!
Stop paying high prices so they have no choice then lower the fees, people that overpays keeps the inflation up, very simple.
Ask to an Economist if you think I'm wrong, I'm doing my part to not attend to all these expensive pig hunts, but more people needs to come together and stop buying pig hunts.
What are you gonna do when they start asking $1,000 a pig? You probably would pay it and again screwing the fun for the rest of us!
I have to accept what it is and not to participate, so other hunters and myself someday get a chance to a more reasonable pig hunt.
C'mon man open your eyes look at my previous post how much are these pigs worth in other parts of the country, you really believe this is an exotic game worth $500 or more?
$500 can get you a bull Elk tag in Colo on public land, now this is a real adventure if you ask me!

 

[bpnclark]

Cow tags are even cheaper at $250 and you can get one pretty easily on public land. Cow elks provide a lot more meat for the freezer than a hog.

 

[7magHunter]

QUOTE (Shot @ Jan 8 2008, 08:17 PM)

Don't you think something is wrong when a non-native nuisance animal is considered a game animal?! Do you not know why we have the DFG in the first place?! You think Fish and Game Commission's where created for the hunters?! We are here to restore nature to is natural state, we are conservationist and I will be damned if I ever thought of conserving a non-native animal.

I know pig hunting is more popular than deer hunting. There are several factors for this. First, its cheaper, if you considered guided hunts its way cheaper. Second, season is open year round (I wonder why?). Third, no bag limit (I wonder why?).

Its not ironic at all. I started hog hunting in Iran, Armenian, Russia, and Germany. In these areas hogs are native and abundant. My first hunt was a hog hunt, this is why I love hog hunting. Now, as a hunter I truly believe that we are the number conservationist, we pour thousands of dollars a year to help wildlife. What I find ironic is why we help the population of non-native pigs (the obvious reasons is money). Like a said before, I blame the state, they are obviously cashing in with the pig tags, and I don't see why they would ever change that, unless its to increase the price of a tag. I love a free market, thats how I can afford my luxuries, and therefore I don't blame anyone making money in any legal way, I blame the State/Government. I complained about the cost because I believe it should be illegal to charge for pigs (remember conservationist). Yes, I love hunting pigs but don't forget I love being a conservationist even more, thats why it is not ironic.

We can't have every thing our way. Having free hog hunts in this state will never happend, the market won't allow that to happen. Now, I can be bitter about it and don't hunt pigs at all, or I dish out some money and hunt my favorite animal. I have to tell you, there is definitly a threshold on the price and for me its not there yet (I can see how for some it has).

That's what I said in post #73

 

[7magHunter]

QUOTE (bpnclark @ Jan 8 2008, 09:01 PM) http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=951479

Cow tags are even cheaper at $250 and you can get one pretty easily on public land. Cow elks provide a lot more meat for the freezer than a hog.

Even better.
Thank you!

PS: Refresh my memory!
I thought cow Elk in Colo were draw only?

 

[xstream1]

Amen! I think that the discussion in this thread has a lot of different opinions. They all have some good points depending on how you look at it. That's what makes this interesting to read and share. I'm sure there are many people that can afford or make a paid pig hunt happen, but choose not too. Me personally, it's not all about the kill. Being out there hiking in stealth mode, beautiful country and having a chance to harvest is what it is about. Bagging one is icing on the cake. I myself have never paid a guide to hunt and have had great success, but who's counting. There are plenty of different public places out there with opportunities.
I look foward to some day paying for a guided hunt for the experience and to bring someone with me that does not get out as much. When I do I will try my best to get what I pay for. Reading, talking, word of mouth and most of all a great time. The price will need to be the going rate. The greatest thing is that we have choices. Xsteam1

 

[Rancho Loco]

QUOTE (upper @ Jan 8 2008, 08:13 PM)

No really 7-Mag what is your solution? Give us one,can you?No really ,can you?Rember solution! Upper,out

QUOTE (7magHunter @ Jan 8 2008, 08:53 PM)

Solution is very simple!
Stop paying high prices so they have no choice then lower the fees, people that overpays keeps the inflation up, very simple.
Ask to an Economist if you think I'm wrong, I'm doing my part to not attend to all these expensive pig hunts, but more people needs to come together and stop buying pig hunts.
What are you gonna do when they start asking $1,000 a pig? You probably would pay it and again screwing the fun for the rest of us!
I have to accept what it is and not to participate, so other hunters and myself someday get a chance to a more reasonable pig hunt.

There ya go - free market.. You're a little off, actually a lot on Inflation, but it's a good start. Thanks for coming around...

And further - if demand is there and people are paying for those hunts, by the principle of free markets, people are not overpaying. They are paying what they feel is fair. Along the same lines, I would love to hunt Bull Elk on Tejon Ranch, but I choose not to participate at $20,000 a tag. Same for a lot of folks. But they're booked years in advance, so they are priced fair enough for enough people to justify the price.

And even though I've probably seen more Elk on Tejon than pigs, in no way do I feel somehow entitled to hunt them at some ridiculously low price that I feel is fair.

 

[upper]

I can hunt Pigs for free,why would I pay 250 to shoot a stinking elk.Espicially on private property.Then the landowner wanta another 300 to go on him and kill the Elk.And by the time I get him to Ensenada he is only worth a twelve pac of Corona and four pounds of week old shrimp.But by gosh If I get through all this and I mean all this,you guys owe me for bringing the pig hunting prices to where they should be.Your next president....Hillary

 

[Valley Hunter]

QUOTE (bigtusker @ Jan 8 2008, 08:42 PM)

You guys should spend more time griping to the State Parks for shelling out over $60K to a professional trapper to kill nearly 4000 pigs in Henry Coe State Park.

Bottom line: Hunting on private property is going to cost you money unless it's your friends or familys ranch. If you dont want to pay the price because you think it's too high, dont pay it. Find somewhere else to hunt

Chopper is right its gonna cost some dough and as it has been posted numerous times "Supply and Demand" and I choose to find somewhere else to hunt and that will be public land. That is my choice..... I love America.....I get to make my own choices, free market gets to pick there prices and the vicious cycle starts all over....

Cheers to all, we all have one thing in common and that is we love the outdoors.

 

[bpnclark]

7mag - I put in for the draw for a CO cow tag, but I do the combo Elk/Deer. I was told that cow tags are draw tags only, but every year they have leftover tags in my area.

The Tejon Ranch has Tule Elk. CA is the only place that has Tule Elk. Hunters (from all around the world) that want to get their slam need a Tule Elk. They will have no problems booking a hunt, no matter price what they ask.

 

[7magHunter]

QUOTE (Rancho Loco @ Jan 8 2008, 09:12 PM)

There ya go - free market. It took awhile, but thanks for coming around...

But one correction - if demand is there and people are paying for those hunts, by the principle of free markets, people are not overpaying. They are paying what they feel is fair.

Like if we have a choice, fair or not do you have a better deal?
QUOTE

Along the same lines, I would love to hunt Bull Elk on Tejon Ranch, but I choose not to participate at $20,000 a tag. Same for a lot of folks. But they're booked years in advance, so they are priced fair enough for enough people to justify the price.

What?? You call this FAIR PRICE!

How's the weather there in Beverly Hills Rancho?
Can you post pics of your Rolce Royce, we all like to see it!

 

[7magHunter]

QUOTE (upper @ Jan 8 2008, 09:22 PM) http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=951497

I can hunt Pigs for free,why would I pay 250 to shoot a stinking elk.Espicially on private property.Then the landowner wanta another 300 to go on him and kill the Elk.And by the time I get him to Ensenada he is only worth a twelve pac of Corona and four pounds of week old shrimp.But by gosh If I get through all this and I mean all this,you guys owe me for bringing the pig hunting prices to where they should be.Your next president....Hillary

OK!
Have you been to Ensenada?
If you haven't go and enjoy a great time, the best seafood and real inshore fishing.
Did I mention the pretty girls on your lap and hands moving around while drinking the Coronas

 

[7magHunter]

QUOTE (bpnclark @ Jan 8 2008, 09:31 PM)

7mag - I put in for the draw for a CO cow tag, but I do the combo Elk/Deer. I was told that cow tags are draw tags only, but every year they have leftover tags in my area.

Are you in Colo?
I used to hunt mule and Elk in Garfield County back in 1988-89

 

[Shot]

Chopper, I think what you provide at your hunting ranch is great. I wouldn't mind paying to hunt on private land just to be away from the mob of SoCal gangsta hunters. I hope you or other guides/property owners don't think I was attacking you guys. The service you provide (comfortable cabin + 4000 acres) seems reasonable to me at your asking price, its a luxury, and one day I hope to treat myself to it. I don't see it any different than renting a room in Vegas and gambling my money away. My grip is with the whole pig management thing and how this State handles it (my last post).

I have one more thing to say and I am out. Lets look at Texas, the pig population there as exploded. And with all the hunting and depredation going on the population is still on the rise. Now, the way the pig population is growing in Cali I would guess that in about 15-20 years we will be in the same boat. Maybe than, when farmers and ranchers are crying out for help the State will realize what has happened. When deer herd numbers start dropping off than maybe there will be more of an out cry. I mean just look around, San Jose has pigs now, close to heavily populated areas. And another thing, for the first time in about 12 years of hunting Frazier Park I saw a wild pig, can you believe it?, I sure as hell didn't, I thought I was dreaming.

So let this go on, once the supply has greatly risen and demand stayed the same, the price will drop, hopefully to where it should be $0 (again, not talking about places like Choppers where you pay for cabin and seclusion).

I hope these posts haven't given anyone a bitter taste. I enjoyed reading all of your comments, plus I love a great discussion. I will gladly share a campfire with anyone of you guys. God bless.

 

[Speckmisser]

Shot, no bitter taste here... and honestly, I agree with you on the key principle.

If hogs are an invasive, non-native species (They are), and if the State's intent is to stop the spread and remove this invasive from the habitat (it should be), then we have a different issue altogether. In that case, I totally agree with the measures states like Colorado and Kansas are taking... it is illegal in those states to charge tresspass fees, guide fees, or any other money to hunt pigs. If you have pigs on your property, you either kill them yourself, bring in hunters to do it for free, or bring in trappers. This issue of guided hunt prices will never come up there for pigs.

As you realize, that's not what we have here in CA. Somehow the tide shifted and pig hunting is not an eradication exercise. It has become a game animal, and a large percentage of private landowners are managing for them. I've heard many of the people on this board call for better management of pigs and habitat for pigs.

Another point that's coming to light, by the way... Many wildlife management experts have recognized that hunting wild and feral hogs tends to disperse the populations rather than eliminating them. As a result, some states are considering not allowing hunters to kill them at all, but will rely on trapping to catch, kill, and eliminate entire local populations.

As far as whether guides and ranches are selling individual animals, it doesn't really matter how you reason it... as far as the State is concerned, guides and ranches are selling access and services.

Oh, and BPN... Tejon is hunting Rocky Mountain Elk, not Tules. They're imported stock. Not that it should matter in context, since that means the hunters who pay to go there are paying $20K to hunt something they could hunt in CO or MT for 1/5 of the price. And they are STILL selling out for years in advance.

Bottom line folks... gripe about the prices all you want. People are paying them, hunts are selling out, and the price will go up until the hunts stop selling.

Shot's offered the only true solution, which, environmentally and biologically is the exactly RIGHT solution. Take away the game animal status, since hogs are invasive vermin. Treat them as such and kill every one of them.

It won't happen, of course... and I can only imagine how many of you would yell and scream about the "loss of a resource" if the state ever did decide to eradicate hogs altogether. But you can't have it both ways.