TealHunter

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Hi all - I'm just getting into pig hunting and big game hunting in general, and I've been using this forum as a resource to help me get started so just wanted to say thanks to everyone that contributes on here.

Went out on my first dedicated pig hunt yesterday after reading Bubblehide's post about cold weather making the hogs need to feed more (and therefore move around more). Got to the spot I had picked out just before sunrise, plan was to explore some new territory and walk along some ranch boundaries before heading into the area I had been before hunting for deer last season. I got high as soon as possible (elevation wise) and took a look around, then spent the next few hours busting brush trying to find a specific watering hole on my onX map. I found a few pig tracks and some dried scat along the way, but nothing that got me too excited or had me thinking there were pigs still in the area.

I was a little disappointed and started walking along the road to get back to the trailhead and the next area, when a CalTrans worker yells over at me "hey! You hunting hogs?" I said "Yep, found some sign but haven't seen any.." and before I can finish he's saying "go down the trail and head left, past the pond and so and so, they're rooting around in places they don't normally root!" So I say ok thanks I'll check it out. Have to admit it gave me quite a bit of optimism, and as soon as I hit the trail I find a scat that looks pretty fresh and I'm pretty sure it's from a pig. (This is the flat sort of wet looking scat from the pictures). Now I'm thinking I could see a pig at any time. So I get high again, looking down into the little valley and then dropping down at a certain point to investigate some watering holes. That's where I found an area that looked like it had been rooted, but no pigs. I walked the main trail back still thinking I might run into one, but no dice.

All in all I had a good time and got a good workout in, just wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts about the track/scat/rooting areas (like are they legit) or any other tips or feedback. Thanks!
 

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OPAH

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Got Tail Cams ?
sounds like you have the Wallors but its cold, they wil be needing to warm them selfs and that means food, any acorns?
Find the food, the tubers, the rutting areas, Identify the plants and if there is something special about the area.
 
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baco

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Your in a great spot stick with it pigs will move out quick take advantage of them while there there
 

Bubblehide

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Based on your pictures, you appear to be in an okay area, but if you have more oaksaround, you might check them out.

The track is a little old, it appears to have been rained on lightly and froze and thawed... Pretty much the same with the rooting. I would find their track and trails. Try to figure out the areas they are using, and those they might be bedding in. Then position yourself in a place that overlooks a heavily used area, within proximity of the bedding area (as close as you can get given the terrain, but do not blow them out of their bedding area). Keep in mind, they will general hit their bedding area just after sunrise. They generally get out of their beds just before sunset. However, a solid freeze will make it exceptionally difficult for them to feed, which means they are much more likely to feed during daylight hours. Throw in multiple nights of a solid freeze, and they will need to feed during daylight hours.

Good luck!
 

flytrue

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I've been hunting Lake Sonoma as of late, and my method lately has been to find some fresh sign and then act like a trail camera. I just stay put and hope they come by. It just so happens that I've been hunting right where I have a trail camera, and it has been getting pics. Last Saturday I quit hunting at 5:30 because I was too cold and a pig runs by the camera at 5:45! The proof is in the pic.
 

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Stevehazard

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I saw pigs feeding next to the 5 at 11am yesterday. Tejon property but still I've never seen them there. Like stated the snow and cold probably pushed them down there where you normally would not see them.
 

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