Laguna Mountain

[LeeChul]

Hello,
I know none of you know me, I'm new to the forum, but I've been spending quite a bit of time reading up on many of you're old discussions and can see that y'all now this area the best. Better than the BLM and Forest Rangers I'd say. Anyways, to make a long story short I came to Monterey via the Army from Idaho and I have had no luck in my pig hunting since Sept '04.
This weekend, Sat AM, I plan to hit Laguna Mountain and was hoping some of you could lend some advice as to what parts of the area are good and what not. I've been there once before in the late fall and saw only minimal sign up in "The Gorge." Remember I'm an Idaho boy so the only things I know how to hunt are mullies, elk, coyotes and the occasional bear. I have pig squealer and grunter calls, do these really work?
Thank you for any help you send my way.
Cheers,

 

[theseacow]

Welcome to the site!

To be honest... hunting laguna on the weekends is pointless. The pigs know not to come out on the weekends, and chances are you will see several other hunters. Ive hit laguna on the weekends MANY times in the last few months, and havent seen any pigs. I have seen somewhat fresh sign everytime, but hunting weekends there really is a dead end. PM me if you need more info....

BTW, were you hunting in los padres about 2 weekends ago?



-theseacow

 

[BLASTMASTER]

Yeah, the last time I went was on a Friday, and even then, I was almost crowded-out by a couple of hunters. The pigs are there, but it takes more than a Saturday to find them. They're not like deer, they'll move their 'home area' at a whim. So even if they were travelling through one area last month, they are probably somewhere else, the next.

I'll give you a hint, though, if you want to find them there. They are not afraid to come out in the dark (10PM- 2AM), and are loud when they do. If you can get the pattern, of the moment, at night, you might find an opertunity in the day. If I were you, I'd spend all day looking for where they have been passing-by, and then start there at 9 or 10 at night, listening for them. Follow them around some, but stay away. Try to determine what direction they came into the area from, and confirm the tracks, in the morning. Setup an ambush for the evening, where they will first come out of cover (setup WAY early, and don't let them know you're arround). I've noticed that most hunters there, won't go out in the field when it's dark, and often leave a good spot too early (so they make it back to the truck before dark, I guess).

On another note, did you ever check out that ridge, spec?

 

[Speckmisser]

Lee,

These guys have nailed it. Weekends in Laguna are crowded. You want to get as far back as you can stand to hump, then get a little further. Backpack and camp is my advice... you want to be back of beyond way before first light, and you want to stay there until shooting light is completely gone.

Those pigs are smart and HEAVILY pressured. But they ARE there.

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

On another note, did you ever check out that ridge, spec?[/b]

I'm heading down this weekend, although it may be primarily a scouting run. Thought I'd make it last weekend, but had a very important birthday party to attend. How often does a good hunting buddy turn 50?

I'm hoping to set up some combo turkey/pig hunting in the upcoming turkey season. My new consulting gig may allow me to have some weekdays off, which is really primo for getting into that area.

 

[BLASTMASTER]

Originally posted by Speckmisser@Mar 10 2004, 07:10 AM
...combo turkey/pig hunting in the upcoming turkey season...

I thought that was a secret?

 

[Speckmisser]

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

I thought that was a secret?[/b]

Which ridge?

 

[BLASTMASTER]

 

[Hogfever]

Welcome to the site, you'll definitely enjoy it here. Speck and Blastmaster are on it. Me and Uper were up there Sunday, seen lots of sign and even heard them, but they were in the thick stuff. Had a good time humping it, and Uper got a little winded on his "shortcut", but all in all it was better than being at work. The pigs are there just be patient, do a little scouting, and you'll end up with one. Best of luck

 

[DILPRXO]

Welcome aboard Lee and good luck this weekend!

Just a tip read over some of the helpful links posted on the top of this board..loaded with lots of tips in a very cool format.

 

[LeeChul]

Wow, thanks for the info. I'll keep it in mind. Maybe I'll go into Colinga instead, or am I going to face the same problem there. It really is too bad there is so little public land here. BTW have any of you recently checked out the "honey hole" around New Idria? "Pig Valley?" I know it was mentioned in a previous forum, but haven't got down there yet. Anyways thanks for the great info. If any of you are interested in hunting big mullies or elk in Idaho let me know. I can help you out with some good areas to go. Its only about 15 hours of driving but Idaho has the most expesive non-resident fees. Having to pay guide fees would be outrageously expensive.

On another note, what is this "secret" ridge?
Cheers

 

[Speckmisser]

Lee,

You probably won't find the crowds at Coalinga, but the hogs are usually a little more scarce there. It's really hit or miss, and if the hogs are showing any sign there, you can bet there'll be a bunch of folks there to chase them. Word gets out fast.

As to the secret ridge... well, there's a reason it's called a secret.

 

[pigdream]

Also just my

is this area should only be hunted on a tues-thurs and only when the weather is real bad. Also I think you have to be in great shape and willing to walk a long distance.

 

[dreaminhogs]

pigdream, my email has been on the fritz are you game to go to the Ranch on the 30th and 31st?