New To Pig Hunting

[nuts4bucks]

I am an experienced deer hunter relocated to Thousand Oaks area. Never hunted pigs and I am on a very tight budget. From what I've seen in previous posts, public land hunts sound pretty tough. Is it really as tough as I've heard. I do enjoy just getting out and hiking and spotting deer or sheds or other critters. I don't always base success on taking an animal. Is there any public land within a couple of hours that someone may suggest. I would like to take my teenage son, and $300-600 a piece at Tejon is more than I can spend now. It sounds great, but things are really tough right now. Any ideas? I'm itchin to get out in the woods! Thanks!

 

[>Killzone>]

Look up the info on Fort Hunter Ligget,. and the other places here on this site,...good luck.


Killzone

 

[Speckmisser]

Welcome to the fun, Nuts4bucks.

There's a ton of public land up above you (if Thousand Oaks is where I think... near LA?). Los Padres Nat'l Forest and the BLM lands around Paso Robles are great places to start. Camp Roberts and Fort Hunter Liggett is not too far beyond Paso Robles, so that would be do-able too. Both of these military bases are probably the best bets for public land, but even they get hammered pretty good.

But... public land hunting IS as tough as everyone makes it sound. That's a guarantee and a promise. Barring a serious stroke of luck, most public land hunts are more like taking your rifle for a walk. But what a walk! You'll need to get out and get as far from the roads as you can, and then go some more. Carry your rifle and bullets, because the extra weight is good exercise.

It's tough, but rewarding. There are hogs out there... somewhere. And if you score on public land, you'll have done something that a bunch of experienced hog hunters haven't managed. Go home and buy a lottery ticket.

Good luck, and again... welcome aboard.