Hello, new hunter here

[theseacow]

Hello everybody,

Just wanted to introduce myself and say that this is a very informative website.

Ive been browsing this forum for the last 2 days and it seems like a great place to spend a little bit of my time to talk huntin. I have used the information on the main page greatly for the last few months however. I live in the bay area, (san jose) currently.

I recently took a huge interest in pig hunting, and have been out a few times on public BLM land with no luck at all. I have read all over the web about how public land here isn't really good, and private land is where it's all at. I would love to try to get on some private land, but I really don't have the funds for it, so Im trying to make public land hunting work. If anybody has any info they could share with me, to help perhaps allow me to land my first boar, that would be appreciated! Im not asking for any "honey spots", as I know those are a hunters unshared secret here in kali, Im just looking for any tips for n00bz that might help. I have studied all sorts of BLM maps, and done research on pigs themselves, but my chances are looking fairly bad around here.

I am willing to travel a little bit, and spend a weekend somewhere for hunting, I just need more information on places that are accessible.

My interests are firearms, which is what lead into the recent hunting obsession I've obtained. I shoot several .308 guns that should be able to do the trick. I also enjoy bass fishing.

Well anyways, Ill be hanging out here more, and hope to learn alot on this board, and contribute to the topics around here.

Thanks,

-theseacow

 

[YH88]

Welcome to JHO

 

[GUNNER5569]

welcome to the board there is a lot of public land that holds pigs you just have to be at the right spot right time pigs seem to change location depending on hunting pressure and water just keep checking the water spot where you have seen sign in the past eventally you will see pigs there are several spot along the coast that hold pigs and a few pay spots like the tejohn por they are around 300.00 but ussally worth the money also big sandy and carriso are blm that give good oppertunity good luck on your quest and hunt safe

 

[fairchase]

theseacow,

You've come to the right place, these guys know a lot.

 

[pmmx]

Hey seacow. You and I are in the same boat. I'm going hunting this month, 20th, and 21st at camp roberts. I hear tejon is a good place to hunt also but I don't want to spend the 300 bux until I get some more pig hunting experience.

Jeff

 

[David D.]

Welcome Aboard!

 

[Cda55]

Welcome to JHO seacow. You'll find this site to be very addictive. Be very very careful

 

[Speckmisser]

Here's another "welcome aboard" to ya, Seacow.

Not a lot else I can add as to your request. I've found some mighty piggy spots on public land, but have yet to make a shot. If you can spend extended time in the field, though, you'll be one up on most of us.

Camp Roberts and FHL seem to offer the best success rates to the public, but it can truly be hit or miss. With military activity what it is lately, you also never know when or if you'll get to hunt.

Otherwise, just get out there, away from the roads, and hunt hard!

 

[One Track]

SeaCow:

Welcome!

If you are self-employed or work for commission, leave now, or you'll go broke. If you are working for the gov't, then don't worry about it. Have fun.

 

[Backcountry]

Hi Seacow,

If you don't already have a bow, you might want to think about getting one. There are additional opportunities for bow hunters on select swaths of public land, and a potentially great opportunity may be about to open up at Lake Sonoma for bowhunters only. If you bow hunt, this is a big deal (and if you don’t you’re out of luck).

You have some great resources near you to help you get into bowhunting. Predators in Gilroy and Archery Only in Newark are great pro-shops, and there are several archery clubs in the south bay. I belong to Kings Mountain Archers and we have one of the finest field archery ranges in the state (located in Woodisde). The club has several pros as well as dozens of seasoned veterans that really enjoy helping newbies get started.

If you want more info, send me a PM or check out Kings Mountain Archers website.

http://www.kingsmountainarchers.org/

Cheers, Backcountry

 

[theseacow]

Thanks for all of the advice and welcomes.

Im gonna try to get out this weekend and look for pigs. I may hit up the laguna mountain area and see what thats about, and then prolly try somewhere else the next week. Im gonna keep at it, until I can find something.


I dont think ill realistically be bow hunting soon, but I plan on learning eventually when the money is there.


Thanks again,

-theseacow

 

[BLASTMASTER]

I'll give you a little hint about Laguna Mt. There's some private land between the Sweetwater Springs side, and the Laguna Mt. side, and there are a bunch of pigs that hang out there. They come out to the Sweetwater side at night, and root-up under the oaks there. They leave way before light, but sometimes they get hungry, and start heading that way before dark. Look for some fresh trails near an old water barrel, then get setup to watch for them coming in from the private land. Weekdays are best. Weekends, they hide, and you have to go looking WAY in the back of the parcel because of all the hunters. I have camped there and seen where they go at night.
Good luck!

 

[karstic]

Welcome Seacow,

As with any hunting in California keep pounding the ground. The more you can get out the better, even if its just driving down a dirt road you've never driven down before. Good Luck.