La Panza Hunt

[theraminman8]

Thanks EvBouret, I really appreciate the help. Good hunting!

 

[crittergetter]

thera... try 411 for Santa Maria or King City to got yourself a LaPanza NF map mailed to you. I've been hunting out there for a long time and still find a map is usefull. It will also have the Carizzo BLM area on it. Good luck.

 

[johnnywalker]

Thanks for the tip on La Panza. I've just been studying maps of that area the last couple of days. I've hunted the Chimineas Unit of the Carrizo plains about 8 times in the last two months looking for hogs, (mile marker 45 on hwy 166). I found one area of rooting, and when I went back a week later it was all tore up, but then after the holidays nothing. I even had the opportunity to drive onto the property two days and found some tracks and followed a good trail for a long way, but no hogs. Also got a tip from a guy at the sporting goods store who said his buddy saw a herd up by twin rocks, (off of highway 166). I drove up the jeep trail and there is a good sized pond up there. Didn't see any pigs, but looked like good habitat. Got to hang that tag before July. Chimineas is open February for hogs only. It's about 15,000 acres, but it's walk-on access only from hwy 166.

Have a good one.

 

[larrysogla]

I have hunted Carrizo Plains NM for deer, hogs, bunnies, dove and quail. The hogs are seasonal and transient. On wet months, the hogs will pay a visit but on dry months, foggedaboudit. In my humble opinion, the best bet are Camp Roberts and Fort Hunter Liggett. The hogs are definitely there and STAY THERE!!!! NOT SEASONAL or transient.
CR and FHL are abundant with flowing rivers, ponds and springs with gazillion oak trees dropping tons and tons of luscious, delicious acorns and lots of grasses and shrubs that it can support HOGS, deer, elk, coyote year round. I still hunt Carrizo for hogs once a year on the wet month but I know it is mostly a hike on green hills sucking in fresh nourishing fragrant air. The hogs are just pure chance if we ever cross paths. CR and FHL though is hunting where the hogs live and stay. 'Nuff said.

 

[easymoney]

Not to be negative, but it always cracks me up when I read these posts about a rumor of seeing pigs on some romote piece of public land...
I have hunted on these lands and in these areas, you are talking about for over 30 years and it's always the same. Some guy hears a rumor or is just plain lucky and gets a pig, then next thing you know the word is out that every hill and valley is filled with pigs running around out in the open, next to the road, on public land, just waiting for someone to jump out of their rig and shoot them. Sorry, it ain't like that at all, period. I too heard those rumors and chased them, with little to no success.
Larrysogla,
Your last post, hit it all right on the head...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

The hogs are just pure chance if we ever cross paths.[/b]

Most all public lands are the marginal cover that the transitory/nocturnal pigs use on the way to and from the feeding or water areas, usually on adjacent private property. With the exceptions you pointed out: FHL and Camp BOB. The bases are huge tracks of quality habitat, that is good hunting (like the private ranches)because the military controls the numbers of hunters and the seasons they allow hunting. Pure and simple...
The Carrizo can be good during wet years, but is hell on earth during dry years or the summer... Most people do not have the patience or time it takes to be lucky enough to even see pigs let alone score on one.

If any of you who read this are serious about scoring on a wild pig(and there are loads of them in CA and relatively easy to hunt), save your money and go with a guide(they have an almost 100% success rate) or wait for the hunt dates at FHL or Camp Roberts to open. That way the time and money you spend driving back and forth will be better spent.

 

[hogshot]

I have shot two pigs on the Carrizo. I have hunted it probably eight times. There is so much land there you can't cover it in a lifetime if you walk. Problem is nobody walks, they all drive. I doubt anybody goes consistently and walks and doesn't see pigs. In the eight times I have been, not once have I failed to see a Deer , a pig, or an Elk. I see quail every time I go and usually a coyote. Do some research and find areas that you can get a mile or two offf the road if you walk.
Ev, I don't know you, but you sound like my kind of person. I read your post about hiking around Hawaii. Drop me a line and maybe you can go with me sometime, no promises, but I bet I can open your eyes about the Carrizo. It is a jewel waiting to be found.
Most of the people who hunt the Carrizo drive from L.A. and don't walk once they get there. We walk in and it is great. I make no promises, just that I can show you a part of the Carrizo that most people don't know about. I only hunt it a couple of times a year, but the right time of year is upon us.
Jason

 

[Huntin Fool]

Exactly what is La Panza? Is it a place located in Los Padres i would like to try it sometime any info would help out

 

[EvBouret]

Its LPNF, off the 58...look at a map and you'll find the La Panza Mountain Range...look almost straight west from Carrizo

 

[Huntin Fool]

Thanks Evbourt appreciate the help i may make it up there if i can get away from my studying for a weekend. I wanted to see if i could walk in to go deer hunting and maybe try a little pig hunting. The crowds of people at FHL are getting big and i want to get away from the crowds so hopefully i can find a hot spot.

 

[MJB]

Hogshot,
I have two friends that have also take hogs from Carrizo, and they say the samething....you must do some hiking and not just glassing from the road.

When I get some free time in March/April I'll be there!

 

[easymoney]

huntinfool,
LaPanza is a primitive campground in The LPNF. There are plenty of directions posted here. It can be hot or cold... Lots of OHV riders...
hogshot,
[/QUOTE]Most of the people who hunt the Carrizo drive from L.A. and don't walk once they get there.

You are so right... It's a BIG place and you can wander for a long time and not see pigs.
BUT, as you have said:

but the right time of year is upon us.

Good luck to all...

 

[johnnywalker]

I agree you have to get out and hike. That's how I hunt is out of a backpack. I have everything I need to field dress that pig and drag it out back to the truck. I'll be hitting carrizo and la panza after I get back from Oregon.

 

[crittergetter]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

hopefully i can find a hot spot.[/b]

You mention finding a hot spot for deer at Carrizo. You will have no problem. The whole place will be like Death Valley durring deer season. I'd say you can expect an average of 100+. I think it got up to 112 one or twice last year and that is not uncommon. Not saying there are not deer or that peopple aren't successful at it. It just can be very hot. If you think you have to put on some miles for pigs then same goes for deer. It gets hot at FHL and other places but it just seems like a different hot there. I found it is hard to get a buck out before it spoils. I take em home in the front seat with the A/C on! I'm done with that.

As for spotting pigs there, I do beleive they are more transient and only really there in wet months. You need to be a little more lucky or spend a lot more time looking for that certain spot. It is there.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

when I read these posts about a rumor of seeing pigs on some romote piece of public land...[/b]

I got pork in the freezer and on the wall and that is no rumor.

 

[Huntin Fool]

crittergetter i meant hot spot as in a producing spot. I dont think i will have a problem with heat just need to remember to bring plenty of water. During deer season how packed out does it get? I hope its not like FHL

 

[crittergetter]

Ya I Know what you ment.

Plan on wearing out several pairs of boots over the next few years for the hot spot you are speaking of. If you find a spot that far away you are surely not going to get a deer out in time. My opinin. I haven't been there for several years durring deer so I wouldn't know about the crowd. Years before that I went in the middle of the week. Still do for pigs. maybe that is why I seem to see a fair amount of em. I always figured wed and thurs to be the best. All calm from the weekend warriors and pre friday early birds. Personaly, If I were you I would stick to FHL if you want to get a buck. You have a way better chance in my opinion. Depending on the year it varies but I don't think there is a very large population at Carrizo.

One comment on Camp Roberts. Although it can be successful, ast time I went there was the Fall before recent. I got in line on the East side of the overpass at 4:10am. I think they open the gate at 5. By the time I went through their backdoor gun registration BS and check in it was about 7:15. I mostly scouting for Turkey the rest of the day realizing it was over before it started. At the end of the day I checked out at the game station and asked them what was taken. For almost three hundred hunters there were two pigs taken by the same guy both about 40 lbs. I know there are more pigs than that. It just goes to show how unpredictable pig hunting can be and maybe why differing opinions on areas.

Good luck. I'm wore out on this one.

 

[easymoney]

Larry,
Great points.
I pretty much gave up rifle hunting for deer on "public land" for the very reasons you mentioned. It is not just in the Carrizo either, as most NF or BLM land (especially the nearer LA you go) has the same problems. Be careful and I agree, stick to mid week or more remote spots away from the roads or campgrounds.