lake sonoma

[cloverdale78]

hunted the yorty creek side this morning. there was no one else there when i got there. we hiked a long way out and did see a few hogs. we had one nice boar jump out of the brush on to the road about 5 yrds in front of us, he looked at us ran 10yrds then dove back into the brush before I got a shot off. We followed him a bit but it was too thick so we circled around and never saw him again. sAW a small group round a corner just as we crested a hill but by the time we caught up we couldnt find them either.

Question, what do you think is the best method to hunt lake sonoma. Spot and Stalk or find a good trail and sit onn it? Any other tips wouldbe great. Thanks

 

[JZumi]

Seems like what you are doing is pretty effective. Maybe think about tweaking it, rather than changing it entirely?

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

thanks for the l.s report Cloverdale78! one thing for sure is the boat option is one of the most best successfull ways to hunt the lake it seems.
for my situation hunting the lake if i am doing a 1 day turn around i am trying to cover as much ground as possible by still hunting and glassing.
i am not going to waste any time in one area of the lake if i dont see any fresh sign sooner then later. now i am focused the the fresh trail crossings that are regulary being used by the porkers in hopes to catch one coming through early in the morning, thats why i have been getting out there 1 hr before legal shooting light to post up on those regular fresh trail crossings ive found in hope one comes through in the early morning going back to bedding when legal shooting time arrives but ive had no luck with yet with that method in the last 2 outings.

hunting the lake can have its fustrating times trying to figure out where those porkers are with 18,000 acres to hunt, but then again it brings out the true hunter in me with the challenges of bowhunting for wild pigs in a public park like lake sonoma with other hunters, hikers, bikers and dogs runnin around and lets not forget the road hunters zipping up and down rock pile road all day i guess waiting for one to cross the road because they are to lazy to get out and do some real leg work.

right now i am trying to get my job to get me 3 day weekends everyweek till the end of march so i can hunt the lake one day a week, i should know within 48 hrs what the verdict will be. my manager thinks they will be able to swing that for me so i have my fingers crossed right now.

it will be so rewarding the day i score a public land l.s. piggie with a bow. have a great day and good luck on your next l.s. hunt!....tra

 

[flytrue]

Clvrdl78, thanks for the report. Did you drive, or boat-in to Yorty?
I've heard of quite a few pigs out that way. Myself, I hunt off of Rockpile. I got a pig last March and one on this opener. I like to hike some of my favorite spots, looking for sign. I want to know if pigs are using an area before I spend time there. Once I've settled on an area I still-hunt there.
I don't walk around with an arrow nocked, but anytime I am standing still I will be ready with an arrow on the string as I have had them run up on me with hardly a few seconds warning! Also, my ears have initially detected more pigs than my eyes. Yesterday evening was just like that. I was enjoying the sunset, stillhunting near a parking lot when I heard something moving through the brush. It sounded just like a pig. Sure enough, a big sow pops out on the trail as I lift my bow. She stops, and we look at each other. I draw and she bolts. End of story. No bacon this trip. I walk 5 minutes back to my truck. Such is pig hunting at Sonoma.
Good luck to you! You living near there is nice for you!

 

[cloverdale78]

Thanks for all the help! I definitly can use all I can get. It sounds like I am doing the right things, looking for fresh sign and getting to those areas early to try and catch one on the move. I will definitly be hunting at least once a week after duck season ends if anybody wants to meet up for a hunt.

 

[Kentuck]

Man, I sure hope to run into one this Friday!

 

[hunterdoug]

hey cloverdale78, it sounds like your doing it as I do, cover ground and if you find fresh activity do your detective work. I've hunted there since before it was arch only and there's no consistant best way other than covering ground. although some have found good honey holes that produce for a while. and yes a boat helps but I've killed more than one pig in the yorty area that you can walk to. the pigs there move around some and a place that had empty beds one day may be full the next. concentrating your efforts around active feed areas is probably your best bet with the cold and rain they don't wallow to much. You might think about doing a walk in camp to skunk or wherever you can reach and hunt the next morn from there. once you start getting close it's only a matter of time.