New Hunter with questions

[Frenimy]

Hello everyone, I am really new to Pig hunting. I have been out in the field a few times but never seen a hog. My strategies have been to find water to sit at for first light. I would like to know a few good techniques for finding pigs after the sun has come up. Also I would like to know if pigs prefer to stay in lower elevations or if they will climb u into the hills during the days. Please any help or other info would be greatly appreciated. I know I could pay someone to take me out and get me a pig but would really like to learn how to get them for myself.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[myfriendis410]

The best thing you can do is get up high with a good set of optics and glass, glass, and glass some more. It is possible to blunder into hogs bedded down, and I'm sure people have killed 'em that way, but that is sloppy. If you can spot 'em you can put the moves on 'em from miles away. You can also evaluate them for their potential as a trophy. My hunting partner and I are boar hunters and pass on lots of sows. We enjoy seeing them out eating grass this time of year.

Find a high point and go back to it for several evenings in a row if you can. Glass everything carefully and you may be surprised by a B.M.O. (black moving object).

Have fun!

 

[weekender21]

Water isn't a bad place to start if you are sitting on one of the limited water sources in your area. If there is plenty of water around then your wasting your time; unless you can narrow it down to the water source they are using. If you find a frequently used water source, there will be sign. Look for tracks, and places where the hogs rub the mud off on nearby trees or fence posts.

Try and find what the hogs are eating. If there is private property near by with crops, that's most likely where they want to be at night. You can find where they cross under fences by following pig trails and finding hair on the barbed wire. Once you find where they are at 2AM, follow the trail to likely bedding areas. In the evening, pigs on public land will bed in the thickest nastiest brush around. No hill is too steep!

If you think you have found a likely bedding area, find a place to sit with the wind in your favor. If you're rifle hunting there isn't any reason to get too close. Find a high point and glass until last light. You don't want to be at your truck at last shot, you want to be in the best area you can find! Buy a GPS and return to your truck in the dark.

Good luck!

 

[Frenimy]

Thanks for th info guys I didn't realize how important glassing the hills was. I will try that next time out. Anyone got any other advice the would be willing to give?

 

[Farmerdoug]

You know, scouting and actually finding big game is a funny thing. Most hunters can agree that while hunting a certain animal, you always see what your not looking for. For example, while deer hunting last year, we spotted some nice pigs. While coyote hunting, I usually spot the buck that I will probably end up looking for in the fall. Oh, and it never fails that while sitting in your favorite pig/deer spot,your gonna see atleast two coyotes and thirty quail that you know your not gonna shoot at. My best suggestion for scouting is find another hobby you enjoy and try to integrate it into your scheme. For example, I do a lot of horseback riding in the back hills. While riding, I always carry a set of binocs and I am constatly scanning the hillsides and looking down at mudholes to see what animal tracks are there. My theory is the more ground I can cover during any scouting trip (Horseback riding), the better I will be during the actual hunting season. This same principle will apply to mountain biking, hiking, fishing, or jeeping. These are all good hobbies that will help you on the hunt. Putting in hours and traveling the miles will increase your chances tremendously when your in search of a particular animal. Advice number two is keep it simple (food,shelter,sexual behaivor). When hunting any animal, always try to put yourself in their shoes. In order to catch the pig, you got to be the pig. Finally, and probably the most important thing is when you have pin-pointed an area to hunt, is to locate the nearest forestry station and go inside and ask for some maps. While inside, ask questions and try to pick their brains for some good info. It has been my experience most of the forestry guys love to give out info because they know if you harvest, they get to sign off the tag. Some of my best turkey, deer, and pig spots were given to me by rangers. Once they give you the ballpark area, its up to you to find the game and score. Good luck and post the pics........

 

[bigworm]

Glassing is the single most important step. Look under trees, brush lines, every where. I would not set up on water in the morning. I would in the evening though, especially if its a hot day. In the morning they are headed for cover not water. I can't think of when I have ever hit them on water in the morning. Locate their food source, and you will find them. Patterns change with the time of year. This is tied to their food source. Learn what they are eating at the diferent times of year. Example, acorns in the fall.

 

[weekender21]

I've found them near water in the morning in the summer. When it gets hot I think that's the last thing they do before going to bed and the first thing they do when they get up. The problem is, they seem to drink in the pre-dawn more often than not. I have found hogs wandering around a few hours after sunrise but usually it has been a first 30 minutes after sunrise or nothing for me. I have had far more success on evening hunts for some reason.

I couldn't agree more about the scouting. Spend as much time as possible in the areas you hunt. I like to go on camping trips and day hikes with my wife in areas that I can possibly spot sign and or game in the off season.

 

[map]

Chris,

I assume that you are still hunting FHL, so you wont be alone while hunting where the pigs hang out. Basically, when I see another hunter I have no other choice but to move in another direction. That means that I could end up anywhere in that Training Area. Pigs can see movement, so I try to move slowly along the edge of chaparral brush. I always stalk a small creek. The laws of mathematics apply while hunting public areas, so the other hunters are part of the equation. I never follow them thinking that they know what they are doing. The biggest disadvantage of of hunting at FHL is that we are supposed to be out of a hunting area early in the evening while there is still twilight. I have noticed that my home life improved quite a bit when I leave at noon on Saturday to give my wife equal time. From your earlier post I see that you started hunting in 13E. I recommend that you stick with it for at least a year. There is a lot to see in that area, plus there is the southern portion that used to be TA30.

Richard

 

[sfhoghunter]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (weekender21 @ Jan 14 2009, 09:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I've found them near water in the morning in the summer. When it gets hot I think that's the last thing they do before going to bed and the first thing they do when they get up. The problem is, they seem to drink in the pre-dawn more often than not. I have found hogs wandering around a few hours after sunrise but usually it has been a first 30 minutes after sunrise or nothing for me.[/b]

This has been my experience as well, exactly.

Again, if you are hunting water, look for confirmation that the water source is being regularly used (trails, mud rubs on trees, prints).

 

[Frenimy]

What do pigs eat this time of year so that I can start to look in those areas? Do pigs tend to move as soon as they see,smell or hear you? Are the sows less skiddish like Doe's? I duskgenerally a better time to see pigs moving around or do they wait till it is dark? Can anyone post some pics of bedding so I have a good idea what to look for cause I think I know but I could be completely wrong.

Chris

 

[BackCountryHNTR]

This is a great tread with lots of good info. Thank you!

 

[boar slayer]

what ive found to work for me is to stand hunt and glass in the morning then scout out areas for the evening hunt by looking for bedding areas feeding areas water and try to catch them on thier travel routes . they will bed down in the thickest cover around . dont under estimate a pigs intellegence either they are veary smart and have great hearing and can smell you a long way away . hunting on places with a lot of pressure means dealing with smarter pigs they hear vehicals and know its time to hide . also stay out late most pigs start to come out the last couple of minutes of shoot time . pigs are mainly nocturnal and take advantage of full moon conditions and feed all night and in those conditions if you can cover a bedding area near water you mite have a midday chance when the sun beats on them in thier bed or they get thirsty . as far as seeing pigs look for a part of the animal not a whole pig try to find what is out of place like a different colored spot on a hill side and keep all your senses sometimes you can smell them those big old boars can stink in mating times

 

[Frenimy]

You guys have been very helpful and knowledgeable. Thank you very much. I think I have a good spot in mind at FHL for just these kind of spots. I won't be able to go sadly for a month but I am sure I will continue to bug you all and ask lots of questions in the mean time. If anyone else has anything to add I am always open to new things and all sorts of tactics.

Chris

 

[weekender21]

Hogs are by nature nocturnal. There is much more activity at night than during the day. In areas and times when they are heavily pressured, you may never see one during the day; at least until things calm down.

Pigs will eat just about anything! Depending on where you hunt will depend on what the hogs are eating this time of year. There isn't as much for them to eat during the winter so you'll generally find a good bit of rooting. Hogs are opportunistic an will adapt to the environment they are in.

In my opinion, sows are not any easier to hunt than boars. They do need lots of energy while the are "wet" or nursing piglets. For that reason alone, you'll typically find them out earlier in the evening and later in the morning feeding. At least that has been my experience.

You should read Hunting Wild Boar in California by Bob Robb. It has everything you'll need.

 

[DiamondHunter]

 

[Cal hunter]

Great Thread! Im going to toss in my

I wish I had some better info for you but I have been chasing pigs for about 5 years now and have yet to put one down,but what I do know is dont give up. Every time you come home empty handed look at it as another lesson learned. The more time you get out after them the more you will know next time out. Remember hunting isnt just about the kill its the time outdoors and the things you get to witness in nature that alot of people will never see. So as long as your having fun out there just keep on em and eventually it will all come together.

 

[map]

Frenimy,

I kept track of the 2005 FHL hunting figures during the weeks just before Deer Season opened. The figures show that Joey (my 15 year old junior hunter) shot his boar in Training Area 29 on June 19th. As you can see, June is a fantastic month followed by the opening of Deer Season. The 2004/2005 season was wet with San Antonio Reservior flooded all the way up into TA 29, so don't count on the same results during dry years in 29. Notice how consistant TA 30 is. Hang in there. Sooner or later you will trip over one.

Hunter Liggett unofficial figures:

June 5, 2005

5 Pigs out of TA 30

7 Pigs out of TA 24

2 Pigs out of TA 10/13

1 Pig out of TA 29


June 12th

2 Pigs out of TA 29

1 Pig out of TA 30


June 19th

1 Pigs out of TA 29 **Joey's Boar**

1 Pig out of TA 30

1 Pig out of TA 10/13


June 26th

2 Pigs out of TA 8

2 Pigs out of TA 29


July 4th

4 Day Weekend with all Areas open

1 Pig unknown area

2 pigs TA 16

2 pigs TA 24

1 pig TA 29

1 pig TA 30

1 pig TA 15

250 Hunters total


July 17th

Opening of Deer Archery

2 Bucks out of Training Areas 29 & 27

4 Pigs out of Training Areas 29, 15, 16, & 19

1 Buck out of private property next to TA 30

 

[Frenimy]

Hey Mapmaker just to make sure I understand this right TA30 is now TA13E correct? I also sent you a pm wth some questions.

 

[map]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Frenimy @ Jan 16 2009, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Hey Mapmaker just to make sure I understand this right TA30 is now TA13E correct? I also sent you a pm wth some questions.[/b]

Yes, TA 30 is now TA 13 E, which includes the newly opened area. During the present opening of the northern portion, my boy and I have only hunted there twice last spring. However, I started hunting Liggett in 1968, and that area has opened and closed quite a few times in the past. If the property owners complain about us hunting there it will surely be closed again. So, it would be wise for us to keep a low profile while hunting 13 E. Things like hunting right up close to the fence or next to Argyle Road will only aggravate the local residents. If we ware our camouflage and crouch down when there is traffic on Argyle Road, everything will be okay. Past history has proven that any boldness on our part will work against us.

The biggest disadvantage is that we are supposed to be out of the 13 E hunting area at sunset. I have already had one warring from the FHL Police about returning to the 13 E parking area after dark. What happened was: I forgot my favorite flashlight and we didn't remember until we had walked 3 miles towards the parking area. I am pretty good with GPS, so we walked back, picked it up, and then walked back out to the parking area. On the way back we ran into a small herd of hogs in the dark, and my anxious teenager wanted to shoot. Luckily, I stopped him, because 2 police pickups were there waiting for us at the gate. They had called for a helicopter, and it was on the jet way warming up as we arrived at the parking area. We got chewed-out real bad, and were given a warning. From what they told us, they have to search for every lost hunter who doesn't return to the parking area. That is why we are to be completely out of a hunting area at sunset. What we have been doing lately, is to register on Friday evening, hunt Saturday Morning and leave for home on Saturday at noon. The is no evening hunting a Liggett, so we pack out early.

As you can see by my 2005 figures that are posted above, the southern portion, which is old TA 30, is a great place to hunt hogs. The dates above are only for the weekends that we hunted during June and early July. Unknown numbers of hogs were taken during the weekends that we didn't hunt.

There is no secret spots at Liggett, because of the other hunters pushing the hogs into areas that they wouldn't occupy if left to their natural tenancy. That means that the hog are where you find them.

Richard

 

[Frenimy]

OK good to know about that. What other Area's, not "honey holes", are there to hunt around the southern or central San Joaquin valley. I know lots of people take pigs at FHL but what other areas can you hunt. I still want to hunt FHL but might like a change in scenery once in a while. I live in Bakersfield and am willing to travel a couple hours if needed