March Hunt

[JustAl]

I am planning on doing a bore hunt with Tom Willoughby. I was planning for the end of March, but Tom said the summer months were better because the animals were up and moving. When I asked about success rates, he said he guarantees to get you within shooting distance of a hog, but never gave an actual success rate. Now I want to be there at the best time because I want a hog, but would going at the end of March be a bad idea? For those of you who have hunted with Tom, does it seem like he'ld have trouble finding a hog? What time of year did you go? Thanks for the help.

Al

 

[Bwana Turtle]

I went with Tom last June on the 23rd. Nailed a pig before the sun was all the way up. In March there will be succulent food everywhere. Come June the PW's (Piggly Wigglies) come in to the farms to feast on the barley.

 

[Bwana Turtle]

Here's a link for the Low Down on the Hodown.
http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/index....showtopic=65519

 

[Mel Carter]

If you want to see what Tom has to offer, here you go. Tom is one of the best hog guides in the state, you should have no problem getting your hog. This hog was taken several years ago, he was my first.

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

I've been with Tom once. Blake (his son) and Tom work there tails off to get you on pigs..You WILL see hogs...I saw over 100 hogs on a 2 day hunt. I went around May and it was good huntin...Enjoy your trip...

 

[larrysogla]

Savor every moment of the hunt because these guides are professionals & know the lay of the land like the back of their hand & will get you on the piggies oftentimes within minutes of getting out of the vehicle. If you shoot straight the hunt most often will be over even before you realize it's over. Those leased private ranches are crawling with piggies. A lot of times the ranchowner will call the guide when they spot a big herd or see a lot of hogs regularly. That is why probably these excellent guides will literally drop you in the middle of hog heaven as soon as you start hunting in the morning. These guides are very good at what they do. Finding the piggies will not be a problem for them at all. Practice with your rifle a lot in different hunting positions as their will be a lot of free hand shots at running/escaping hogs. Your accurate shooting should be your focus & not whether the guide will be able to put you on the piggies.

Good luck. Good shooting. God Bless. larrysogla.

 

[JustAl]

It sounds like they don't have any problems finding hogs. Do you think what he told me on the phone about hunting in March is actually true or just an act (hogs move less in March than in summer and therefore are harder to find)? It sounds like you guys seem to favor the summer months. Anyone been hunting with them at the end of March or around that time? Thanks for the input.

Al

 

[Bwana Turtle]

Well, it sounds like you want to go in March. . . . So, go in March and tell us about it.

 

[larrysogla]

They will find the piggies March, summer or any other time, except maybe when it is completely fogged over. Tom Willoughby is highly recommended by his clients, he will get you within shooting distance of a piggie unless it is blanketed by a thick fog or it is completely rained over by a heavy downpour & there are flash floods all over the canyons. There are seasons when the acorns, barley, or some other food source is congregating the hogs in a thick area & they are easier to ambush, spot or set up for a hunt. Or during dry season the hogs frequent watering holes, wallow bogs etc. & thus are easier to set up for a sh

ot. But regardless, these guides make a living year round & will get you a piggie year round. Tom Willoughby has been guiding hog hunters for many, many years. You will get your pig. Shoot straight. larrysogla.

 

[Speckmisser]

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

Do you think what he told me on the phone about hunting in March is actually true or just an act (hogs move less in March than in summer and therefore are harder to find)?[/b]

One of the first rules of hunting with a guide is listening to what the guide tells you. You're paying for that expertise, and if you don't listen to them, you'll pay for your mistake. There aren't many out there with a reputation like Willoughby who got that reputation by making up arbitrary stuff... or "acts". These guys are out there to get hogs for their clients, and if he's suggesting that you will have a better hunt in the summer then he's doing it to ensure your success, not just to get you to book at a more convenient time.

I'm sure he can get you on a pig in March, but there are a lot of factors working against you. The rain and fog are major influences, making some areas unsafe to drive. If its a wet spring, the hogs will be more scattered and harder to locate, since there will be food and water everywhere. One of the reasons for hunting the summer is because the hogs get more concentrated on food and water sources.

If you absolutely have to go in March, then go. He'll take you out and probably get you a hog. But if you have the flexibility to go when he says to go, you will definitely do much better.

As to success rates, I doubt many guides will want to get nailed down to a success rate based on harvest. Consider that these guys take out all kinds of hunters, from the trophy hunter who won't shoot anything with less than 3" tusks, to the guy who can't hit the broadside of a barn at 10 paces, to the newbie who hasn't figured out quite how to load his gun. He might be close to 100% putting hunters on hogs, but then it's up to the hunter.

A good question is, what is YOUR success rate; say on game out to 200 yards?

 

[SDHNTR]

I've hunted ranches in the neighboring are in March and its is tougher to find the hogs than in late spring or summer when they are hitting the barley. But they can still be found, it just might take a bit more hunting around. If you really want to go in March, go. I bet you will get your pig. It just might not be within the first few minutes of hunting, or maybe even the first day. But you should get one if you do your part. If you want to see the most quantity of pigs then go in late May or June.

For my money and time, I'm going any chance I can. The time of year is a lesser consideration.

 

[Mel Carter]

I've killed about 12 hogs, I've hunted hogs in March, April and June, and some others in the late part of the year. I personally have had better success in March and April then any other months. I normally cover a lot of ground and hunt were I've known hogs to be present in the past. But, I do see how it could be true that they move less in March. If you figure, March is pretty much coming to the end of the rainy season, and some in April, so the hogs have to move less to find water, and to move less to find shaded areas because the temps are normally cooler. Later in the year, when it warms up, hogs have to water every day. They'll be on the move early in the AM to feed, and then head to water and then back to bed they go. Then they'll usually do the same thing in the evening. Good hog guides who have been hunting a property for a while will know their travel routes, feeding areas and where the head to water. Which will result in less hiking for you and the guides. I think hunting in March is basically, you find them where you find them. It's harder to pattern hogs during the wetter months. Just my

 

[Hawghunter]

I have never hunted with Tom but have heard goot things about him. I
have hunted in the same area on private ranches. I try and go every year in April,
I enjoy hunting when it's cool and everything is green. It's really pretty country up there in the spring, vs hot and dry in the summer. My guess is that he will put you on hogs anytime of year, he may just be trying to stack the deck for you by giving you the best time of year to hunt. And that too is his job.
My 2 cents,
Mark

 

[JustAl]

I may just hold off until the end of May beginning of June. I was down at the taxidermists looking at some hogs just to get an idea of what I want to shoot for the wall. I liked those bigger hogs and it sounds like during the summer months I will have an easier time finding the hogs and be able to be more selective on which to shoot. If I went in March I'd probably shoot the first descent hog to walk by for fear of not getting anything, but in the summer I have more confidence, both from what I've heard here and what my taxidermist was telling me (he hunts with Tom as well), and will hold out for something around the 200+ pound range. Until then, I'm going to have a long time to be patient, not one of my strong points. How far in advance do you guys book hunts with Tom?

A little off the subject, but my taxidermist also had an old brochure for Tom that he gave me. It said he conducted deer hunts and ran 98% success. Anyone know if he still does deer hunts?

Al

 

[JustAl]

I talked to Tom today. it doesn't at all sound like he'ld have trouble getting a hog at any time of the year, said he got four today. The thing that kind of shocked me was that I thought I had the right to pass up a hog. He said that if we were hunting and saw a 150 pound hog he'ld expect me to take it. Does this sound like your guys' experiences with him?

Al

p.s. If any of you guys have pictures of hogs you have taken with Tom, either in the field or on the wall, I'd be happy to see them (and thanks Mel for your photo).

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

JustAl,

I have been on PLENTY of guided trips and Tom doesnt run his operation any different than any other guide I have been with. If you run into a "Shooter" he expects you to take it. Remember, his job is to put within shooting range of a hog. I think Tom guarantees you a shot within 100 yards or less. Once he does that his job is over. Its your job to connect and put the pork down. If your trophy hunting that is a WHOLE different story and you can be "picky". Trophy hunts are usually a lot more money than the standard hog hunt. If it's a meat hog that your hunting than he will expect you to take the first hog he puts you on. You never know if you will see anymore during your hunt. Just remember this and you cant go wrong. Ask a TON of questions when you book your hunt. Ask the guide what he expects out of you and ask him if he'll let you pass on hogs. The more questions you ask, the better your chances of walking away from that hunt with no disappointment at all..Hope this helps

P.S. Here is 4 hogs we took last year with Tom

 

[Norcalihunter]

wow mel, pretty bold of you to post such a picture around here. I'm surprised nobody's harassed you about posting such an offensive photo. Blood in the picture.... Such a shame and a true sign of disrespect to the animal. Did you even try to clean it up? Maybe you can have someone show you how to photo shop that out.

Sorry only joking. Thats not at all directed at you mel. Just to the many other posters that when someone posts a pic of their trophy their first question or comment is something along the lines of. ''Did you leave the tongue hanging out of his mouth on purpose?'' or ''you should really try to clean your game up before taking your picture''. Instead of just congrats, some people just gotta have things all ''perfect'' or just their way, to me its just taking out creativity and turning everything into a forum to follow.

Ok rant off...

 

[JustAl]

Hoghunter714, nice hogs. What did they weigh?

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

Smallest #150 Biggest #250

 

[JustAl]

Forgot to ask, what month did you take them?