I want to start hog hunting this year in California. I live near the S.F. Bay area and would like to it localy if possible. I haven't been hog hunting before though I've hunted others successfully. Recommendations are appreciated. - John
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shaginator
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Welcome to the board, John M.
SF Bay area:
Hogs = plenty along skyline, all the way down to Santa Cruz; hogs are a big problem there, but the aneemal wackynuts prefer birth control and brochures or somethin like that. You'll need access to private land, depredation permit, and luck.
To legally hunt on Public land = difficult, far
So, to un-answer yer question -- best chance is non-local (3-5 hour drive). Improved odds on the private ranches of course, but if you're a cheap bastard like me, check out the forest around Monterey, Clear Creek near the central valley, and Fort Hunter Ligget to the south. Ukiah, Redding, and valleys in Mendocino NF to the north. There's details about FHL on the hog reports section of this website, and you can search these here forums for more talk.
SF Bay area:
Hogs = plenty along skyline, all the way down to Santa Cruz; hogs are a big problem there, but the aneemal wackynuts prefer birth control and brochures or somethin like that. You'll need access to private land, depredation permit, and luck.
To legally hunt on Public land = difficult, far
So, to un-answer yer question -- best chance is non-local (3-5 hour drive). Improved odds on the private ranches of course, but if you're a cheap bastard like me, check out the forest around Monterey, Clear Creek near the central valley, and Fort Hunter Ligget to the south. Ukiah, Redding, and valleys in Mendocino NF to the north. There's details about FHL on the hog reports section of this website, and you can search these here forums for more talk.
HOGHUNTER714
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Welcome John M.
You've found one of the best websites on the internet. As far as hog hunting goes, theres a few ways you can go. I'm not familiar with the area your in, so as far as public land goes I cant help you out there. Most of Californias hogs are taken on private property. I would look into going with a guide for your first time. There are a ton of guides along the central coast and up your way. You actually learn a lot from going with a guide, some run dogs, some dont. Going with a guide gets you onto private property and youll learn a whole hell of a lot. Your gonna pay anywhere from $300 to $600 depending on who you go with and there operation. Dont just pick a guide, do your homework. Research the guides, talk to people and ask who they have gone with. If you want I can refer you to a few guys I know that have operations in the King City area and who have been in the business for a LONG time. I think you'll enjoy hunting pigs, its my favorite animal to hunt. Good Luck & Happy Hunting.
Bryan
You've found one of the best websites on the internet. As far as hog hunting goes, theres a few ways you can go. I'm not familiar with the area your in, so as far as public land goes I cant help you out there. Most of Californias hogs are taken on private property. I would look into going with a guide for your first time. There are a ton of guides along the central coast and up your way. You actually learn a lot from going with a guide, some run dogs, some dont. Going with a guide gets you onto private property and youll learn a whole hell of a lot. Your gonna pay anywhere from $300 to $600 depending on who you go with and there operation. Dont just pick a guide, do your homework. Research the guides, talk to people and ask who they have gone with. If you want I can refer you to a few guys I know that have operations in the King City area and who have been in the business for a LONG time. I think you'll enjoy hunting pigs, its my favorite animal to hunt. Good Luck & Happy Hunting.
Bryan
Hoghunter/Shaginator, Thanks for info.
I believe your right about going with a guide at least the first time. There is alot to more to know than just finding the animal. I'd also like to get it home in an edible condition! Any suggestions as to who to contact about guide services is appreciated.
John
I believe your right about going with a guide at least the first time. There is alot to more to know than just finding the animal. I'd also like to get it home in an edible condition! Any suggestions as to who to contact about guide services is appreciated.
John
Speckmisser
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Welcome aboard, John.
The guys are right on so far. There are lots of pigs over in the Santa Cruz mountains, but you gotta get an "in" from somebody, because what public land there is there doesn't allow any hunting. Tons of good private land there, if you can find someone who'll let you on.
Other than that, you're gonna have to go at least a couple of hours north or south. Good hunting in Gilroy and around that area, but all private lands. A little further down and you get into good pig country with lots of guided hunt opportunities. Expect to pay around $400 or more for a good hunt, but it can be worth it if you're just starting out. Heck, even if you aren't just starting out... public land hunting is frustrating and generally fruitless. Paying to play is the best bet you'll have.
If you're patient, the Tejon Ranch pig-o-ramas are coming up this winter. It's a long drive from here, but the hunting is second to none, and the $300 ticket is a major league bargain (in my opinion). Lots of the JHP guys seem to go to those hunts.
Some of the other guys here can direct you to some good guides. I haven't experienced many of them yet.
Welcome again. You've come to the best place on the web to share hunting info and stories.
The guys are right on so far. There are lots of pigs over in the Santa Cruz mountains, but you gotta get an "in" from somebody, because what public land there is there doesn't allow any hunting. Tons of good private land there, if you can find someone who'll let you on.
Other than that, you're gonna have to go at least a couple of hours north or south. Good hunting in Gilroy and around that area, but all private lands. A little further down and you get into good pig country with lots of guided hunt opportunities. Expect to pay around $400 or more for a good hunt, but it can be worth it if you're just starting out. Heck, even if you aren't just starting out... public land hunting is frustrating and generally fruitless. Paying to play is the best bet you'll have.
If you're patient, the Tejon Ranch pig-o-ramas are coming up this winter. It's a long drive from here, but the hunting is second to none, and the $300 ticket is a major league bargain (in my opinion). Lots of the JHP guys seem to go to those hunts.
Some of the other guys here can direct you to some good guides. I haven't experienced many of them yet.
Welcome again. You've come to the best place on the web to share hunting info and stories.
BoarExpGuide
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Well I'm a little biased since I am a guide and have been so for 7 years working for Boaring Experiences, LLC. If your interested check us out at www.boaring.com
But I totally agree with the other posts. You will be wasting time and money if you hunt public land. I have calculated the time and money it would take to possibly get a pig on public land and I found that you can actually save money if you go with a guide. Just my opinion. Good luck with your upcoming pig hunts.
Dwayne
But I totally agree with the other posts. You will be wasting time and money if you hunt public land. I have calculated the time and money it would take to possibly get a pig on public land and I found that you can actually save money if you go with a guide. Just my opinion. Good luck with your upcoming pig hunts.
Dwayne
Public land is more difficult, but it is definitely possible to connect with a hog or two; especially if you or your guide hunt with dogs. Spot-and-snipe hunting can be successful if you make the most of the biggest keys to success...
1. Get off the beaten track-Hogs are very sensitive to hunting pressure and will stay away from heavily hunted areas. This is usually near major thoroughfares. This sensitivity often drives the hogs from the more open private land to the surrounding public land.
2. Find the water and you'll find the hogs-Hogs can't sweat and rely on plenty of cool water and mud to keep them comfortable. Find the watering holes, check for wallows and mud on the nearby trees, and its a good bet that hogs are using that area with some frequency.
1. Get off the beaten track-Hogs are very sensitive to hunting pressure and will stay away from heavily hunted areas. This is usually near major thoroughfares. This sensitivity often drives the hogs from the more open private land to the surrounding public land.
2. Find the water and you'll find the hogs-Hogs can't sweat and rely on plenty of cool water and mud to keep them comfortable. Find the watering holes, check for wallows and mud on the nearby trees, and its a good bet that hogs are using that area with some frequency.
