March Hunt

[Mel Carter]

Hey Norcal, maybe you like this pic better

Just kidding right back. He asked for pics of hogs with Tom, and this was the only one I had from that trip. Now a days I spend a lot more time prettying up the game for the photo session that follows.

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

JustAl,

It was either May or June of 04....

 

[larrysogla]

Hoghunter714,
Those are very good sized hogs. WOW!!!! It sure is a nice pack of hogs

in that picture. larrysogla.

 

[BDB]

If I am paying for a fully guided hunt that is, lets say Saturday sun-up to Sunday end of light, I should be able to pass on a hog if I so choose. The guide has has done his part of getting me onto them and if I don't shoot, well that's my choice, but I shouldn't have too. What is the reason, so they can charge you for a weekend hunt and then get you your hog by 8am on the first day in order and not have to worry about hunting the rest of the time? This is good to know because if I ever book a fully guided hunt in the future, I will definitely ask this question.

 

[Mel Carter]

BDB,
If I remember right, which I probably don't, Tom will guarentee a shot at a hog within reasonable shooting distance. If you don't get the shot, you only have to pay the $50 deposit at the time of making the reservation, that's how it was when I was there. So, I'm thinking the same as you. If you decide to pass on a hog because you want a 200lb hog, and this one is a 125lber, then you should have the choice to pass. But, since Tom has fullfield his guarentee, you would still have to pay out the $$$. Maybe he misunderstood Tom, may need to reclarify the situation to make sure.

 

[SDHNTR]

Mel and HH714 are right. If he puts you within range of a pig and you pass, he has fufilled his end of the bargain. You can still keep hunting for that bigger pig, but if it does not work out and you go home empty-handed, you still owe the man for the full price of the hunt.

By passing on a shootable hog you risk not getting another shot and having to pay full price. Only you can decide if it's worth that risk.

 

[Neil San Diego]

I'm probably going on a hunt with Tom the first weekend of March. I had a hunt with him three years ago and got my first hog, about 250 lbs. All four of us on that trip had a hog by Sat afternoon. I'll try to attach a pic of "porkie".

Neil

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

BDB,

You have a VERY valid point. I have been with guys on a guided trip who have passed on hogs. You can pass, BUT if thats all you see for the 2 days you are hunting you still owe the guide his money. His job was over once he put you in shooting range. It was your chocie to pass on a shootable pig and hold out for a bigger one. Most of these guides will go out of there way to put you on hogs. I have been out and missed on an "easy" 150 yard shot. The guide worked just as hard the next day to help me connect. Remember they want you to be successfull. They want the word of mouth advertising thats gonna draw new clients in. Thats how they make there money.

 

[BDB]

I have no issue with paying full price if I pass and then end up not connecting. That is my choice. I'm just glad to hear the the guides (in the cases mentioned) would not basically force me to shoot the first 150 pounder he puts me in range of at 8am on the first day of the hunt. One of these days I may do a fully guided hunt but for now I guess I'll stick to places like Lake Sonoma, FHL, an occasional trip to Choppers and maybe a trip to Tehon one of these days

. Thanks for the info guys

 

[brknarrow]

i ran into blake this morning he said the bookings are really slow right now but theres plenty of hogs!