Hogs in Morgan Hill

[jd1]

Just got back from the Lick fire in Morgan Hill. Pretty neat place, too bad there is no hunting in Henry Coe State Park. The first day we went into the fire we saw a bunch of turkeys, does, and about 6 pigs (2 ridges away). On the way out of the fire the next morning we saw a couple 3x3 bucks standing on the side of the dirt road.

The third day we saw some antelope on some guys ranch and on the way out the next day we almost ran over about a 150-200lb boar. We were driving out of the fire past the Lick Observatory at about 8:00 am, when I saw a black shadow from the corner of my left eye. I tapped on the brakes and then realized it was a wild boar running at full speed. It ran onto the road and under our front bumper. I am guessing that he came about 10-12" from the front wheels. He came out the other side and ran into the opposite field. I also heard that some of the other crews spotted about 30 pigs and a couple 4x4 bucks on that same day.

I saw a couple of big cage traps in the park. Does anyone know if they trap the pigs in the park? The park is huge and I would guess that trying to trap and remove the pigs would be wasted effort, considering the size of the park. Too bad you can't hunt in the park.

 

[Kentuck]

PSE made a video of some hog hunts on a ranch that I think was on the backside of Henry Coe. It was for sale back then. Something like $13 million I think. Tons of hogs in them hills.

 

[Farallon]

Someone who claims they are a Coe Park Ranger has been posting flyers in my neighborhood (South San Jose) claiming that 3,000 pigs have been killed this year in the park under depredation permits. The flyers are printed on pink paper. He is against the killings.

I have been reading about pig problems in the area for several years.

 

[jvle95]

Those hills are loaded with pigs. I have seen them right off 101 on the east side of the road by the sheriff's firing range. I was also lucky enough to hunt a ranch on the north side of the park. Beautiful country. Saw a group of hogs (15 to 20), saw a nice herd of Tule Elk with some nice bulls, saw two Antelope, and countless turkey and deer all on this one ranch. We took a couple of those pesty hogs for the owner. It sure would be nice if they opened up that park to hunting though. Wishful thinking. Hey jd1, are you with Cal Fire?

 

[jd1]

jvle95,
I was on a strike team out of marin county. I work for Novato Fire.


JD1

 

[Rancho Loco]

The hills on both sides of Morgan Hill are loaded with pigs, and yes - they trap hard in the park.

 

[jvle95]

Im with San Jose. Always good to meet another in the trade.

 

[jd1]

We just gave you 2 of our best. I also know Captain Erbe and FF Steve Brown. I saw a strike team of type 4's with 2 of your engines in it.


JD

 

[jvle95]

Yeah, I know Erbe and Brown. Actually I work the same shift and battalion as Brown, both good guys. I see Brown quite a bit. Funny thing that those Type 4's you saw are staffed by Trk 1 personnel, lol.

 

[1Irishguy]

Living in Morgan Hill...it kills me to see those go via dep permits.

 

[Rw Dunn]

I,ve had oppurtunity to hunt the romero ranch 19,000 acres on the backside of coe off of 152 which now i heard is part of the park now on 2 occasions ,we call the ranch "never,never land" you never stop seeing Boars and bucks the place is invested with trophy sized Boars.1st weekend 6 pigs were taken by me and 2 other hunters and that was the first 5 hours on the ranch 2nd time hunting it 13 trophy boars many 3 1/2 or better taken with in a 24hour period with rifles and dogs by 6 hunters including my bro rich dunn.I almost cry every time i drive down pacheco pass,its got to be the best hog hunting on the central coast and maybe all of cali.Just wish my cowboy buddies still worked it.

 

[jd1]

Rw Dunn,
You are lucky. I lived in Watsonville for 30 years and always traveled to Los Banos via 152. I remember seeing deer and pigs along 152 as a kid.
I think we may have driven past the Romero ranch on the way into the lick fire. The place looks like great pig and deer habitat. I just wish I could get on some of that land to hunt. I just wish they would let us(hunters), hunt the park, instead of trapping the hogs. Make it a draw or bow only hunt.

JD1

 

[barel74]

A couple years ago, they trapped some crazy number of hogs in Coe Park, something in the thousands. I've goten to hunt a bordering ranch on the Coyote side of the park, and another on the Patterson side(80% burned), and the game overflows out of the park on all sides. Rough country, that fire is probably the best thing to ever happen to that place.

 

[DeadNuts]

I was driving north on 101 just the other day on my way home and saw a 10 pig Hog train running by the fence of the gun range. They were heading over to the thicket by where the heavy equipment is being parked right now.

 

[1Irishguy]

Just one...I just want one hog from my home town to find its way to my grill!!!!

 

[barel74]

If it makes you feel any better Irish, plenty of those Morgan Hill hogs have found there way to my grill

 

[1Irishguy]

At least they are going to someone's grill!
I need to make friends with some landowner folk...just like everyone here is trying to do!

 

[aimsmall]

Hey RWDUNN,

That is crazy that you used to hunt the romero. I did too!! 7 or 8 years back we knew the caretaker who was Dave Fischer and his wife Laurie. You are right about a dream ranch!! I don't know how many hogs we killed on that property. It also has excellent fishing all the ponds are LOADED with crappie and bass. We used to stay in the hunting cabin in the heart of the ranch, and man we would get the best dove shoots right down the first creek bed that runs along the caretakers house. I dream about that ranch all the time, and yes I cry too when I drive down 152 LOL. We ended up losing the spot because the caretaker was moved to a ranch in Bakersfield and Kurt sold the ranch to Manuel Moitozo, we tried calling him but he wasn't to big on hunting. Drop me an email if you wanna swap some memories.


trucksox@yahoo.com