Newbie in need

[ukj 1971]

Ok here it is very new to hunting but really have no experience but wanna show my sons another way to enjoy time with dad but really kind of suffering in the land issues really dont know where to hunt not just walk around (no hogs) Im not looking for trophies or to take a deer spot not really wanting deer only interested in a hog for consumption Im in the visalia exeter area if you feel like helping a guy out great if not I understand hunting is getting hard in cali due to land issues Im not a economically endowed man so paying a guide would be very hard
so any ideas you can contact me on the board or if you wanna keep it on the downlow reply to jnjahshut@verizon.net
thanks for you time

 

[Deleted member 14133]

Lot of pigs in the Exeter area. I'd ask around and see if anyone has friends with a ranch in the area. May be able to get on free with a friend, or pay a small trespass fee. Or contact some local ranchers to see if you can exchange work for hunting.

 

[weekender21]

CA has tons of public land and excellent public land hunting. Hogs on public land are harder to come by than deer in my opinion. If/when they get pressure they become more and more nocturnal and will often pick up and leave an area all together.

There is some public land NW of Coalinga that holds hogs. Call your local BLM office for more information. Your regional CA fish and game office will also be more than happy to help you out.

 

[map]

Well, I started my boy off at Fort Hunter Liggett, and he finally shot a boar at age 14. During the beginning we spent a lot of time with spotting telescopes and binoculars, so that would be my recommendation. Playing "Recon Squad" added another dimention to the hunt. Going on hikes to show him pig tracks, trails, and rooting areas was also very interesting. As far as showing him the bloody mess of the kill, I think the skinning shack at the Check Station was a good start. There is a nice Camping Area at the Check Station, also. My boy seem to take to the military side and enjoyed hearing the practice tank fire and machine gun firing which was very loud at the campground. I didn't tell him in advance, so he was ready to run for cover at the first burst of live fire.

A good starter for viewing hogs and elk with binoculars would be from a point outside the Off Limits tank range in TA 22. A good viewing point for a "Recon Squad" would probably be on a hill in TA25. The tank range TA22 has recently been opened up to park and walk-in archery only, so watching the archers stalk pigs should be very informative. The campground during evenings ia another Intelligence gattering point.

All and all, teaching my boy to hunt was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The picture below is the result of many hours preparation. Hunter Safety Course, rifle range practice, countless trips to FHL, and countless miles of hiking with a gun.

Richard

 

[Ryno214]

If you ever get up north you can hunt at lake sonoma. Dont see a whole lot of pigs seems like luck just running into them. The thing I like about the area is its on a lake so you guys can fish, they also have a lot of hiking trails that you could get some awesome views. Theres pig tracks/sign everywhere so they could also get a good idea of what to start lookin for. If your ever up this way id be happy to meet up with ya cause to me half the fun of hunting is the memories you make with friends.