new to hunting. Need help with FHL

[kaosken]

I'm new to hunting and would like advice on hunting at fhl... Any and all will be greatly appreciate..

 

[thewolfman]

Alot of scoutin and hunt...put miles on ur boots...but wen hog huntin...play the wind...glass...and hogs lov the thick bushes...good luck...it aint ez to hunt pig in cali and on publicland...unless u got money and join tejon ranch or pay a guide...

 

[easymoney]

Lots of info can be had right here on JHO, do a back search on past posts, go to the links jesse has provided at the top of the forum and down load a copy of the DFW publication on hunting wild pigs on public land.
It is a military base which allows us public to access it for non military purposes, and it can close many TAS for training, so go to their website and double check before buying a pass or making a long drive.
It is a very big place with a multitude of diffferent types of habitat and terrain. It does have pigs, but like most public spots, they use it mainly for bedding in the thick nasty stuff during the day. It is surrounded by many private ranches with much better food, water and habitat, where the pigs spend the night feeding and drinking. They then head at first light, to cover on the base which has limited hunting. The many surrounding ranches allow guided hunts as a source of income, so pressure is higher.

 

[Uncle Bambi]

First, you need to square away the paperwork - get your hunting pass and be sure to read and understand their regulations on the FHL hunting page. They take their rules pretty seriously, and don't usually have a sense of humor about scofflaws.

FHL is huge, and is a place where you just need to get out and start learning the areas on your own. Like others have said, take a map, a good pair of boots, and start hiking. If you don't know the area you're in, drive the dirt roads until you see some pig activity (rooting, tracks), and then park, go up high, and glass below you.

There are lots of pigs that transit through there, but IMO they mostly run at night. Sometimes you'll catch one returning a little too late from his party, and then you get a chance for some pork. Look for bedding areas, and then get between them and the returning pigs at either first light or towards the end of the day. During the day, look for good ambush sites/choke points for later. FHL allows you to enter the field 2 hrs before sunrise - use that to your advantage.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE WIND.

This time of year, they wander around pretty freely/randomly and are more solitary. When the water dries up they tend to hang around more where water is. Find out where the springs are.

Also - beware of the dirt roads if it has been raining. They will look perfectly drivable, but you might well end up buried up to your axles in slippery, gooey clay if you give them a try. I learned that the hard way once in a big ol' Dodge Power Wagon.

If you want a generic place to start your adventure, I'd suggest TA 7 and TA 10 as a good starting point. You'll learn a bunch walking around there and seeing what there is to see.

Be advised, though - as good a habitat as FHL appears to be, pig hunting success there is a very low percentage endeavor. I know some guys that have taken pigs several times there, but most have hunted there for a long time and have never seen one.

It's a stunningly beautiful place, though. Go out and enjoy yourself!

 

[mr sunset]

4 x 4 with really good tires and chains. and TA7 is awesome but easy to get stuck. we had a 4 x 4 and didn't choose to take some of the roads. the first time is a learning experence. I just had my first trip there back on the 11th. I didn't see a pig but I did see everything else and had a very good hunt with lots of signs. expect nothing and you will have a great time. dress for the cold. mornings are about 20 degrees at 5 am. book your room early. get yourself some good road maps of the areas you will be in.
My I phone worked pretty good up there with a map reference. good luck

 

[kaosken]

I'm lookin to pig hunt and deer hunt... How.do I get a deer tag for that area when I'm not from that county..

 

[cali-carnivore]

You have a lot to learn to prepare. FHL is an over the counter A zone tag. It does not matter which county, state or country you are from. Have you passed your hunters safety course and purchased a license yet? You will also have to complete your FHL paperwork and pay that fee. Deer season starts late summer and pigs are year around. You will need tags for both. Good luck on your adventure, but you will need to start with the DFG to get the basics in order.

 

[kaosken]

Yea I have my hunting lic... I gave up raceing motocross and picked this as.my new Passion... I know I have alot to learn I just don't know anybody personaly that hunts that can help me out... Thanks all so far for the advice

 

[easymoney]

Regardless of whether you have 4x4 or not, DO NOT drive off road afteror during a rain. It is a very hefty tow fee and believe me you will get stuck...

 

[easymoney]

I'm lookin to pig hunt and deer hunt... How.do I get a deer tag for that area when I'm not from that county..​

The same way the rest of us do, put in for the draw for deer tags(Azone, AO, G8 MA1 or A 31), and buy a pig tag.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/

 

[kaosken]

So u half to b in a draw to hunt deer there?

 

[Common Sense]

A zone tags are sold unlimited over the counter and are valid for legal bucks at FHL.

 

[thewolfman]

Wat u should start is read the dfg book bout hunting...than if u dont understnd anythin...u ask here otherwise...it ll b japanese language to u....draws tag r different frm over the counter tags...but wateva u do...read read read...than come back and ask ask ask...lol...only way u ll speak the language

 

[Brush Hunter]

Definitely milk www.dfg.ca.gov for hunting and fishing information. There is a ton of information for a beginner hunter. Check out the hunting section in and out. If you are confused about a regulation, call your local licensing branch to have your question answered. Surf this site for past and present post in reference to what it is you might be looking for. Good luck!

 

[Daveyboy]

As people said, read the DFG publications on your target species as well as the regulation booklet for hunting. DFG fines are no joke to mess with, if you violate one expect to pay a minimum of $1000 and you can easily find yourself paying multiple thousands of $ in fines. So, read a whole lot, ask questions for guidance, and then read again on the regulation based off the guidance. This is an internet forum, so a good amount of information is inaccurate. Any inaccuracy doesn't affect the person telling you that, it's your ass, so cover your own ass by being thorough on the regulations. Andyou may not be stopped by a warden, but I garauntee you that if you hunt more than once a year, you will be checked by a warden at some point.

With that said, learning the regs at first seems complicated and confusing, but ask a few questions and someone will point you where to look. Also, get out there and explore! That is 90% of hunting.

 

[outbrakeridah]

Buy your A zone tag over the counter. Show up Friday morning to get a number for the draw. After 2 pm draw results out and you choose you're TA that you want to hunt base on the number you draw. Most good areas will fill up fast if you draw a late number. An early draw number will give you better chances in a better TA. But its FHL and deer are all over the place. Hope that helps.

So u half to b in a draw to hunt deer there?

 

[mr sunset]

that helped me. thanks outbrakeridah