Hunting Pigs in California

[dw33]

After reading this topic in Jesse's, pig hunting sounds like a blast. What is the furthest south you can hunt hogs? Santa Barbara area? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Rancho Loco]

In any great number, Santa Barbara County east towards the Tejon Pass.

 

[leftyhunter]

I spoke to a forest ranger who said there were a few on National Forest land near Santa Maria. They are usually killed by deer hunters who flush them out. Vandenburg AFB has many but my understanding is you need to be active duty military perhaps if you were a guest? Keep in mind the DFG stat that 95% of pigs are killed on private land. DFG has a booklet that you can down load that has public hunting spots.

Leftyhunter

 

[dw33]

Thanks guys. Appreciate it. Can I ask a total newbie question? Why are they all on private land? No pressure I guess and crops? Do landowners allow access readily? It doesn't seem like it from the posts I have read, but you would think they would if the pigs are causing problems for them. 95%? Wow, public land isn't worth hunting then. Larry gave me some info on some bases, so I might give that a try this spring or summer. Thanks again.

 

[easymoney]

Welcome newbie, the furthest south that reliable, huntable numbers of legal pigs is Santa Barbara Co or the Tejon Ranch areas.
And the main reasons wild pigs (and most game animals for that matter)gravitate to the private lands vs public is the constant food, water and cover it provides. The ranches are in the business of growing crops that the game eats, using the more reliable water they have and since they allow little to no access the animals have much less pressure.
That being said, hunting on public land can be very good, if you know where to go and spend the time to find the animals and pattern them. Most people do have the time nor do they have a clue where to go or what to look for. Most wild game is not found out in the open(except first and last light) even on the best ranches. The majority of other hunters I see out on public land are either driving around or sitting out in the wide open. I personally feel many people waste their time in places very marginal at best and only go to a spot because they heard a "rumor" of wild pigs. It's hunting not shopping...
Wild pigs numbers in CA are booming and they are seen in more and more places every year. So do not get discouraged by some of those who say they never see any animals. There are more pigs taken in CA than deer. Do a search on this site and there will be more than enough info for a novice to get started. You just have to "read between the lines" and understand that those in the know(like me, who work very hard and hunt public land all the time) will not give up their honeyholes, but will share more than enough information to get a newbie going in the right direction. There are some of the very best and most helpful hunters I have ever run into on JHO.
If you are serious about hunting pigs on public ground look into FHL or Camp Roberts(limited access and seasons, as well as very good numbers of pigs).
If you really want to score and come home with the bacon, pony up and hire a guide and they will put you where you need to be and do all they can to make sure you score. Then you can freelance...

 

[dw33]

Thanks for the advice easymoney, I appreciate it.

 

[beastslayer]

dw33,

And rumors of pigs in D14 and Riverside.

 

[XMortician]

There are wild pigs in Santa Barbara county by the coast and inland. Tuesday I went on public land to scout for wild turkey by vehicle and found 78 with the closest ones being about 30 yards from me. Wednesday I took my horse up to public land to scout for wild pig as I did not see any pig sign the day earlier as I drove the roads. My horse and I did find very fresh rooting under some oak trees in this one canyon. As Gunny and I are riding thru the trees and meadows, I counted 24 deer anywhere from 25 to 40 yards from us. This day we only counted 5 turkeys and they were about 35 yards from us. Later on I will be going back up to the fresh rooting spot with Ghilly suit and bow.
There are, also, wild pigs in Ventura county on private property, where I want say. On one ranch I saw 53 wild pigs as I drove in one day.

 

[dw33]

Beastslayer, I have heard that rumor about pigs in the Santa Ana river bottom, and I guess it is more than just stories, but you can't hunt them. It would be interesting to see them though. I pass over the Santa Ana everyday (15 freeway) on the way to work. Since reading this site I have been looking and hoping to see something. The trees and brush are pretty think down there though.


XMortician, interesting info thanks. Also, sounds like your ability to spot game is excellent, (I just hope I am not missing much when I am out there, lol).

 

[beastslayer]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dw33 @ Dec 15 2006, 04:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Beastslayer, I have heard that rumor about pigs in the Santa Ana river bottom, and I guess it is more than just stories, but you can't hunt them. It would be interesting to see them though. I pass over the Santa Ana everyday (15 freeway) on the way to work. Since reading this site I have been looking and hoping to see something. The trees and brush are pretty think down there though.[/b]

And I recall I read an article about an actual kill. Must be somebody who sneaked in for an "illegal" hunt. I've seen the place and it actually looks like a good hog habitat.