Leaving Riverside CA to Pittsburg CA, any good places between there for possible hogs?

[pathfyndr]

Got my tag last month for this year, turns out i have to go drop off some materials for a project Friday, we are working on up there. Taking my ride with bow and gear hoping to stop by somewhere and glass but i never drive that far to scout public land but since company is paying for my gas and per diem to head up there might as well make it a little trip. Willing to take someone with me if that helps.

 

[jb229]

Check out San Louis resivour off 152 headed to Hollister. You will pass the exit on I5 by Santa Nella. If you don't see any pigs you will see a nice heard of Tule Elk.

 

[pathfyndr]

And this is public land (blm) ? Thanks

 

[easymoney]

Yes, there are a couple of BLM spots off of Pacheco Pass Rd 152 near SL Resv. Check out the DFG website for the info on places to hunt on public land in CA(on the right hand side of the hunting page), the wild pig hunting booklet and big game digest which give an overview of each of the locations, realistic herd numbers and a description of your odds at seeing pigs at each location.
Good Luck...

 

[jb229]

Upper Cotton wood is only open for the A zone archery deer season right now. The SL Resv is the only BLM that is open on Pacheco Pass. It is Archery and Shotgun only.

 

[pathfyndr]

Thanks again hope i get lucky. Bow sighted in up to 60yards. Guess itll be tomorrow morning leaving a little late today. Should be passing by there around 9pm so guess ill try tomorrow in morning on my way back.

 

[pathfyndr]

Great start i made it before nightfall to first spot spoke with park attendant and directed me to another spot, went there and those at the gate gave me map of hunting boundries, as i drove in bamm there where about 6 deer maybe 300 yards away as i pulled over to take a pic out of no where a park ranger says "what are you doing planning on shooting something,? I said yup but not that and with a bow not a fire arm. He then chatted it up and gave me tips on a better spot where chances of hogs are higher. I had just made it as nighbtfall creeped up, saved on my gps and heading back in the am. Thanks guys.

 

[pathfyndr]

Says here on info sheet at those stands where you self register that you can hunt pig along with zone A archery deer season through last sunday in january. Is that right?

 

[DuckFever]

Check out San Louis resivour off 152 headed to Hollister. You will pass the exit on I5 by Santa Nella. If you don't see any pigs you will see a nice heard of Tule Elk.

SLR is hunting with bow or shotgun only. If you're a rifle hunter, check out Laguna Mtn. area or any similar place in the Hollister BLM. Also, FHL is a good opportunity, albeit not a free hunt.

 

[easymoney]

path, sounds as if you met up with a good ranger who steered you right. That can be an invaluable resource if they are approached respectfully. I always get good info and tips when I speal to the local rangers.

Says here on info sheet at those stands where you self register that you can hunt pig along with zone A archery deer season through last sunday in january. Is that right?​

Not sure what sheets you are refering to, but most public land is open to deer until the closer for that zone(A zone would be Sept 23 2012), but pigs are open 365 24/7 unless otherwise stated in special regs for a specific place.

The best pig hunting over all is in Monterey County, San Benito County and San Luis Obispo County, and IMHO you would do well to look at Chews Ridge, the areas around Coalinga off hwy 198, or FHL. They all have pigs and are within a couple hours of where you are.
Do a little searching here on JHP and look at the top of each sectio for links that jesse has provided, some is old but much good general info to be found...

 

[pathfyndr]

Today was a good day, wouldve been better with a filled tag, showed up to the A zone that was in question and as i showed up debating where to start two game wardens show up, first guy was really cool and gave me the low down. apparently today was the opener for deer, that explains the crap load of cards i saw already filled out, the day prior i saw 4 cards filled out 2 for hiking and 2 for hunting, today had like 20-30 but by the time i got there they came and left. after a few hours hiking around looking for a pig that those other gents probably already spooked or took my leg started acting up so i had to wrap up and call it a day. lots of tracks and droppings. So from there i bolted to MT Pinos to check out another spot for deer and bear that i have held on to some notes for a year now from a JHF member, then went to a spot in A31 to check that i always drive by and oh yeah i'll be back there on A31 opener. finished off day/evening jumpoing on hwy 2 and cruising thru to riverside.

 

[Hikingwithguns]

If you happen to drive by mount diablo state park, los vaqueros, round valley or morgan territory regional parks you can see lots of pigs. Course you can only look, no hunting, except for the trappers hired to exterminate them (they are failing miserably btw).

 

[Shoobee]

Opening day for deer whether archery or rifle is always a zoo everywhere, on every inch of USFS or BLM land.

It's never a good day to hunt pigs on that day, unless you are also hunting deer, and have a pig tag with you at the same time.

The best time to hunt pigs alone is when the deer season is closed.

 

[pathfyndr]

Guess its take two, leaving Monday again back up to Pitsburg or whatever that city is, after a month of recouping i will see if i get a chance again to look for a hog oh and picking up an AO tag tomorrow before i leave.

 

[tpuig]

Funny you should mention that. Went out two weeks ago on the back side of Mt Diablo (private land) and we got two small pigs. Saw about 20 total, but they were pretty darn fast over the hill...

If you happen to drive by mount diablo state park, los vaqueros, round valley or morgan territory regional parks you can see lots of pigs. Course you can only look, no hunting, except for the trappers hired to exterminate them (they are failing miserably btw).

 

[Hikingwithguns]

Funny you should mention that. Went out two weeks ago on the back side of Mt Diablo (private land) and we got two small pigs. Saw about 20 total, but they were pretty darn fast over the hill...

Nice! I should clarify that the private land around there is great for pigs and deer (where allowed), just no hunting on the state or regional parks though, a real shame. Never got permission to hunt any of the land even though I certainly asked. Did you pay for access or do you know some people? The pigs seem to be doing fine despite the trapping as they have some good sanctuary areas on private land.

I remember driving one of the country roads real early one time and passing a huge pickup that had just mowed down a hog. Guts and blood all over the road, pretty awesome and sickening at the same time

 

[tpuig]

It was a depredation hunt on a Country Club. They'll run back across the fence for a while before tearing up the greens again. Pretty fun though, and we got totally lucky with a couple little ones. About 60 and 50 lbs. Big mama with tiny piglets we let go. Another group we saw head over a hill and just weren't quick enough to get a shot.