Hog Hungting Spots and Tips

[Akash]

Hi I am new to hunting as well as this forum and for a while I came in as guest and got some really really good pointers and tips on hunting.

I am from Norwalk, CA and just got my first rifle (Savage 110 30-06) and going to the range with my dad and buddies this weekend to sight it in, ready for the hunt.

Next weekend I am planning on going towards Coalinga (BLM lands) for some hogs. I got the local maps from from BLM. Can any of you please give me some pointers and where/what I should concentrate on? This is my first hunting trip towards that area. So I wanna gather as much info as I can.

Any tips/comments/opinions welcome. As a newbie I cant ask for more.

Thanks and really appreciate it.

 

[EvBouret]

go hike around and looks for hog sign near food, water and shelter. That's where you'll find them if they're there. The piggy triangle.

 

[wtpops]

Water-water-water, no water no pigs.

 

[map]

It's all the same.

Hello Akash,

Hunting the BLM is about the same wherever I go. I try to find a nice spot that hasn't been trampled down, or used for target practice. There are some beautiful spots way back in there, but I doubt if anyone is willing to share. I carry a pack frame, and only pack out the choice cuts of meat. I carry plenty of water, because dehydration is a constant threat. I carry a GPS with the boundary of the BLM loaded as a Track, because of militant private land patrols.

Generally speaking, while hunting public land for hogs: When the sun peeks up over the eastern horizon in the morning, it's over. The rest of day is hiking with a rifle, looking for sign, and hopefully, finding where they are bedded down for the day.

That should get you off to a good start. Good luck;

Richard

 

[sancho]

map, no law against wasting edible meat?

for the OP, i am new also. i am relying a bit on "word of mouth". networking to find the pigs. one thing for sure, nobody is going to stick a thumbtack onto a map telling you of a secret wallow. plenty of economical "pay to play" operations popping up. the added benefit of meeting other hunters is a huge bonus.

i havent scored yet on public land. if i do, i truly hope it isnt to far to pack the animal out. i have a system of lightweight duffels to haul it out. legwork, and just getting out there is my strategy.

 

[map]

map, no law against wasting edible meat?

for the OP, i am new also. i am relying a bit on "word of mouth". networking to find the pigs. one thing for sure, nobody is going to stick a thumbtack onto a map telling you of a secret wallow. plenty of economical "pay to play" operations popping up. the added benefit of meeting other hunters is a huge bonus.

i havent scored yet on public land. if i do, i truly hope it isnt to far to pack the animal out. i have a system of lightweight duffels to haul it out. legwork, and just getting out there is my strategy.

I shouldn't have posted that, because it may open up a debate about waste. (I hunted FHL this morning, so I am dog tired.) Basically, the idea is to have a 150 quart ice chest half full of ice in the back of the pickup, bone the pig in the field, and rush as much as you can carry back to the truck and put it in the ice chest before the meat sours. I forgot the authors name, but is was something like "Rob Cobb" who wrote a book about Boar Hunting in California way back in the 70's. He greatly influenced the way I hunt pigs on hunting public land, and his method has worked for me a few times. I injoy roast wild pig, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and apple sauce for dinner.

It's not unusual for a new hunter to take 5 years to kill a pig on public land, so don't let that spoil a good hunt.


Richard

 

[alleycat]

I shouldn't have posted that, because it may open up a debate about waste. (I hunted FHL this morning, so I am dog tired.) Basically, the idea is to have a 150 quart ice chest half full of ice in the back of the pickup, bone the pig in the field, and rush as much as you can carry back to the truck and put it in the ice chest before the meat sours. I forgot the authors name, but is was something like "Rob Cobb" who wrote a book about Boar Hunting in California way back in the 70's. He greatly influenced the way I hunt pigs on hunting public land, and his method has worked for me a few times. I injoy roast wild pig, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and apple sauce for dinner.

It's not unusual for a new hunter to take 5 years to kill a pig on public land, so don't let that spoil a good hunt.


Richard

Map,

I am new to hog hunting but am an avid upland game hunter. I am considering booking a hunt with a guide but cant really afford it and am not sure the reward will be worth the expense.

What has your success rate been on the public land hunts? When is the last time you got a public land hog?

I have never tried Wild hog meat. Is it worth paying a guide to get one or should I try to get one on my own.

Thanks for your help

John

 

[map]

Map,

I am new to hog hunting but am an avid upland game hunter. I am considering booking a hunt with a guide but cant really afford it and am not sure the reward will be worth the expense.

What has your success rate been on the public land hunts? When is the last time you got a public land hog?

I have never tried Wild hog meat. Is it worth paying a guide to get one or should I try to get one on my own.

Thanks for your help

John

John,

Now I remember the author's name, "Bob Robb" Read that book if you want to get up to speed.

Young Wild Pig tastes the same as the pork we buy at Safeway, but with a tiny bit stronger flavor. (no wild game flavor like deer) Naturally, the older Wild Boar's meat will taste about the same as an old domestic male pig, or an old bull that hasn't been castrated. That's something to think about when 10 pigs are holed up, and they run out in front of you.

This morning was my 6th consecutive Saturday morning hunt at FHL, and only I got close to a pig once. The other guy shot twice and missed it, and we were in chaparral over our heads. A lot more dangerous than fly fishing, for sure. I started hunting pigs in 1968, but I dropped out a few times for saltwater fly fishing in Hawaii and Christmas Island. I would estimate that I averaged 1 pig every 2 years combining San Benito County and FHL.

As you probably read, salmon and steelhead fishing is in the mud. Winter Steelhead is usually what I do during Feb and Mar, but I'm back to hunting again. The reason I don't hire a guide is because the guide would be the one doing the hunting. However, if you want to put meat in the freezer, then a private ranch with a good guide is the way to go.


Richard

 

[rodneyshishido]

I hunt pigs on public land here on Maui. I am too lazy to do the early morning hunt. I generally go up at noon and spend the first few hours hiking around. I have found that the pigs here start coming out in the last two hours before sunset. I have found them out in the middle of the day but, that seems more the exception than the rule.

I have jumped them out of their beds and have managed to take a few that way, but, you need better reflexes and be a better shot than I am. Approach a suspected bedding area downwind and take some deep breaths. I find that I can smell them. They don't stink, there is generally a "musky" fragrance.

FYI, map there are a lot of older hunters here that all complain about their back problems. They say it is from carrying the big ones out of the forest. I am with you, I feel comfortable packing about 100 lbs. Any more than that and I will filet the pig.

Got a young boar yesterday. Dressed out at under 100 so I packed him out whole.

 

[Akash]

Many Many thanks Map, Sancho and others.

I know guided hunts are more educational (which is actually worth the price just the knowledge itself)... but during the time we are in right now... I dont think many ppl are willing to shell out $400/$500 for a guided hunt....

I do know that hog hunting in public land is very very tough and strenuous. But then again, thats what makes it special and worth it (according to me at least)... if not "HEY" there is always FHL and Tejon and other guided hunts when you have enough to afford them ofcourse.

Its all about not being discouraged and going after it year after year. GOOD LUCK to all of you!!!

 

[sancho]

saltwater fly fishing??!! sounds wild. what kind of fish? seen those guys do that bait and switch technique for the big sailfish..

akash...good luck. let me warn you, pig hunting can bring out the obsessive/compulsive freak in you. especially, if you keep getting close but cant close the deal.

map's advice about the big ice cooler is spot on. they are on sale a costco right now. (altho, i did see them for about the same coin at walmart...shhhh, dont tell my wife i was at walmart) i need to get one, so i dont need to tie the dead animal on the roof of the forester.

 

[Akash]

Maps and Sancho,

Can anyone send me some maps and general overview of that area. I got the general maps from the BLM office, but they are all black and white and cant seem to differenciate between tail and head of that thing :mad-fumin-red:.

I did some research over the internet.. but I dont have a GPS though.. i got an Iphone thats about it (pretty sad i know). Can anyone please please just send me some colored maps where I can see the trails and water and maybe find some place/spots. Specially me being new I dont want to wonder into private land and get into trouble, from what I found is that public BLM lands are surrounded by "delicious" private lands.

So if anyone has any boundaries/maps with some trails/water... I can give it a shot for the coming weekend.

Thanks again to each and everyone of you.rayin :rayin :rayin :

 

[BackCountryHNTR]

Akash, if you need topo maps, it would be a great investment to get the National Geographic Topo maps. IMHO They are one of the most valuable tools for the "cyber scouting" of new areas...you can always use Google earth also though...
A GPS would be useful too, so when you go out there you can mark "waypoints" for the promising areas, sign, bedding areas, etc.

just my 0.02

 

[map]

Get a map & compass before you go.

Maps and Sancho,

Can anyone send me some maps and general overview of that area. I got the general maps from the BLM office, but they are all black and white and cant seem to differenciate between tail and head of that thing :mad-fumin-red:.

I did some research over the internet.. but I dont have a GPS though.. i got an Iphone thats about it (pretty sad i know). Can anyone please please just send me some colored maps where I can see the trails and water and maybe find some place/spots. Specially me being new I dont want to wonder into private land and get into trouble, from what I found is that public BLM lands are surrounded by "delicious" private lands.

So if anyone has any boundaries/maps with some trails/water... I can give it a shot for the coming weekend.

Thanks again to each and everyone of you.rayin :rayin :rayin :

Akash, I didn't get an email address for attaching a file to, but that's okay, I can post something here. That way you will be able to hunt this weekend. The 1999 issue of California Hog Hunter has an article about Winter Hog Hunting on Laguna Mountain. Take note that you should hike up there with a pack frame, and bone the pig before packing it out. Here is the link:

http://www.outdoornewsservice.com/hogs/outofprint/Vol%201%20No%203.pdf

I made a computer generated model of the Laguna Mountain trail head. It's a perspective view that you can memorize and use to navigate the trail up to the summit. You will see that glassing across the canyon to the right will give you a bird's eye view.

If at all possible, carry a map and compass, because it get cold at night up on that mountain during the winter months. Good luck, and let us know how things turn out.

Richard

 

[Akash]

Maps,

Thanks for the link to the article. It is very helpful. I think if anyone is interested in hunting in Laguna Mountain that is a must read. BTW, thanks for the detailed maps you sent me as well.

Im looking forward to the outing this weekend, will keep you guys posted on what I see. Hopefully I wont forget to take my camera with me like I did last time.

 

[Huntr Pat]

Richard thats an old issue. But they do have some great read/topics.

 

[Huntr Pat]

Lake hernandez off to the east. I have seen alot of pigs crossing to water when on our way to clearcreek.

 

[map]

Plenty of pigs in that place

Lake hernandez off to the east. I have seen alot of pigs crossing to water when on our way to clearcreek.

Huntr Pat, Some of those Hernandez pigs come up Laguna Creek right into Miller Canyon, and in front of me while I'm up there in my stand. The green GPS Track on the attached Google Earth perspective view leads to where I spend all day glassing the Canyon until I spot pigs. I have spent the night up there, so as to catch them at first light. Like the California Hog Hunter article pointed out, now is the time to hunt that place. The summers are way to hot for comfort.

Akash, I'm working on something for Coalinga Mineral Springs, but Comcast wont stay up long enough to download the GIS data. We can thank Ken (84toyoda) for giving us the GIS data link.

Richard

 

[Akash]

So the best option is to just head out there and wait for them to come out of their hiding place. First light and last light.

Well so far its a no go for this weekend, but next weekend I will be there for sure. That will give me some time to take my gun to the range and start practicing at some 200 yard shots.