Lake Sonoma Hog Hunt Alert

[MikenSoCo]

The Army Corps has taken over the hog hunting at Lake Sonoma. It was not well publicized, but you now sign your self in and out at the visitor center. No more waiting for the late arriving warden, no more draw. The first round is over, but look for another in mid-dec. I am in contact with the ranger, he said very few people showed for the 4 day hunt. The hunt is in the archery area for now for those of you who know. Maps will be available at the check in. I'll supply more info upon it's release.

 

[Speckmisser]

This sounds like an interesting turn of events!

Hey Mike, is the ankle up for a hunt around the lake sometime next month? It'd be fun to meet up there.

 

[MikenSoCo]

I'm ready Speck, send me an e-mail so I can reply with the memo...Happy turkey day...

 

[Dave in LB]

Guys if you don't mind a newbie I love to participate in this little hog round up of yours. My parents live in Santa Rosa and I find myself up there for business fairly often. I have a guide gun and a scout rifle that need to be broken in on an animal of some type since I haven't had a shot on deer in two years of hunting. Keep me informed please.

 

[Hunter2003]

Dave in LB, I think it is archery only up there right now.

 

[PIGIG]

me and a buddy would be most intrested in going if you what more company

 

[Kentuck]

How do we get more info, like is it drawing only or first come? Always wanted to stick one with my bow.

 

[MikenSoCo]

I will call the ranger this week as he asked, and fill you all in on the next hunt period. It seems to be self registration, archery only, check in at the visitor center. Stay tuned....

 

[Mel Carter]

this is something I would be interested in. Does anyone know how big the area is And how do you get to the visitors center for check in? I use to hunt private property over there off of Rockpile rd, the cooley ranch was the name of the propery, is this in the general area. I heard during the hunts that were draws, a lot of the places you needed a boat to access the best areas, is this the case for this area as well. Thanks for the input.

 

[MikenSoCo]

Howdy Mel,
The area is archery only for now, and encompaases both sides of Rockpile road all the way to Liberty Glen Campgound. Also, the edges of the lake on the southern side of the Warm Springs arm. The visitor center is right at the end of Dry Creek Rd. as you make the turn into the park. I believe the fish hatchery is there also. Stay tuned-
Mike

 

[Backcountry]

The ranger told me today that they are "evaluating the results from the first hunts last month" and that decisions about future hunts will be made "soon".

What peeves me a bit is that I was on the e-mail notification list with Allen Buckman of the CA-DFG in Yountville for the lake Sonoma Pig Hunts and that I heard nothing about the change in rules and turning over hunt management to the Army Corp of Engineers. He’s got some ‘splain’n to do to me. Believe me, if I knew anything about an open sign-in bowhunt, I would have been there last month (with the other four guys who were probably “connected”).

My guess is that it wasn't publicized for several reasons... (1) the less the general tree-hugging Sonoma County public hears about hunting, the better; (2) lack of time and funds to appropriately notify the bowhunting community; (3) a bit of foot dragging allows the good 'ol boy hunting network (i.e., the ranger’s buddies) to scoop the area for short while before the masses arrive and "ruin it".

In any case, I’ll be thrilled to the gills to have that area opened up as an archery-only no-draw public pig hunting area. The area is so big that you could have guys harvesting a couple dozens pigs each weekend there and not make a dent in the pig population. Lets hope for the best!

Cheers, Backcountry

:big grin santa hat:

 

[Live2hunt]

I'm sure those are the kind of signs a lot of people want to see in return for the Pig tag increase.


L2H

 

[MikenSoCo]

I know the hunts were announced in The Press Demo, the Sonoma Co. Paper, so they were not trying to hide anything. I'm sure budgetary constraints and the fact that fish and game are out can explain the lack of publicity. Hope to see ya'll up there- Mike

 

[Backcountry]

Thanks for the Press Democrat tip Mike.

I took a look at the article online... it was published on Nov. 20th, after four days of hunting had already gone by, and with only two hunt days remaining. I wonder who knew about the hunt before the press release? Yep, its good to be conected...

With the limited and late disclosure of this recent experimental hunt, I can't imagine many hogs were harvested. Hopefully after the bean counters evaluate this new program it will be continued or expanded. If so, I'll see you there!

Cheers, Backcountry

p.s. here's the article for the rest of you pig bowhunters, so you don't have to go searching...

PIG HUNTERS' ALERT
Published on November 20, 2003, © 2003- The Press Democrat

For archers only, a six-day experimental pig hunt is under way this week at Lake Sonoma. The California Department of Fish & Game and the Army Corps of Engineers are hoping to reduce the feral European pig population around Lake Sonoma by allowing archery hunting. No firearms are allowed in the park.

Hunters must carry appropriate hunting license and tags and must check in at the Milt Brandt Visitor Center to get a special hunt pass.

When: Hunt dates are Nov. 17-20 and Nov. 24 and 25.
No hunting is allowed Friday-Sunday.

 

[Mel Carter]

Thanks for the info Mike, I know exactly where your talking about. I will be keeping a close eye on this thread.

Thanks again to all.

 

[Monsterbull]

The ranger must be receiving a lot of calls. His voice message mentions they are evaluating the previous hunt and will make a decision by Monday the 8th.

If they continue the hunts, I sure hope they include weekends......otherwise I'm SOL.

Cheers

 

[MikenSoCo]

As soon as these dates are announced, how 'bout a JHP hunt centered at one of the group camp sites. There is one at Liberty Glen and and another at boat-in Broken Bridge. Organized drives, campfires, arguing about tag increases, Specks fancy tequila, heart-shot demo's by Steve, local knowledge, think of the possibilties!!!!!!

 

[Mel Carter]

I'm there. Just let me know when the dates are so I can take the time off from work. Since, the hog fest at CR was canceled, this could be another fun get together, just say when!!

 

[Monsterbull]

There was only one hunt date provided on the ranger's voice message, Wed the 10th. Archery only. Kinda short notice....although he alluded to other hunts (but no dates).
Has anyone actually spoken to the ranger to get the other dates?

 

[Backcountry]

The ranger just called me and I spoke with him directly (talk about service!).

The hog hunts at Lake Sonoma have been given a go by DFG.

The hunting begins December 10th and goes through the end of February.

The hunting is ARCHERY ONLY.

The hunting is MONDAY - THURSDAY ONLY... no hunting Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

Most of the hunting areas are boat-in access; however, a small area that "may" produce hogs is along Rockpile Road near Dry Creek (vague directions).

I'll be checking it out next week and let you all know what's up.

Cheers, Backcountry

p.s. You must sign-in and pick up a map of hunt / no-hunt areas at the Dry Creek Visitor Center just below the dam.

Here's a fairly crummy map, but it should get you started.