Payne Ranch Pigs?

[Hawk 1]

I will have some free time on my hands as the wife and kids will be travelling to Australia for a month and was looking for a place to backpack in and maybe run into some wild pigs. The Payne Ranch is a BLM land near Cache Creek and was thinking about checking it out. Do any of you having any insight as far as pig populations in this area? I guess I could go on a guided hunt but I just like the idea of going out and exploring on my own to see what I run into. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

 

[Speckmisser]

Hawk,

This is not first hand, OK... so take it for what it is... but I've heard there are hogs in that area, but they're scarce unless you just happen to hit a spot where they're hanging out. Word is that they're primarily passing through, so it's catch-as-catch-can.

On the other hand, it's supposed to be a really pretty area, and you should see tons of wildlife. Given the recent weather, if there are hogs they ought to be easy to locate.

If you really want to backpack, it sounds like the Los Padres forest is starting to show more activity, especially back in the wilderness areas. And there's always Laguna Mtn, which is a fairly strenuous hike, but the effort can be well-rewarded.

Shoot, you have a month? Try Payne's Creek, then go south to Los Padres, then cut across to Laguna Mtn. You can hit them all!

 

[Hawk 1]

Thanks Speckmisser,

I have taken about 15 trips to Laguna mt and know the area well, however since I will be travelling out of Sacramento I was hoping to hit a closer area. Have you ever been in the Cache Creek area and seen pig sign?

Thanks,

 

[Speckmisser]

I haven't hunted there yet, mostly because a couple of folks I trust told me it wasn't all that great. Like I said above, my post wasn't first hand experience. I wouldn't rule it out completely, but if I were choosing, I'd choose someplace else.

On the other hand, if you go and find otherwise, you have my email address.

 

[RIFLEMAN]

Hawk,

I've hunted the Payne's Creek area a bit with my dogs and while deer hunting. I have come across very little hog sign.

From my understanding, there are few hogs in the greater Cache Creek Wildlife Management Area complex. Talking to other hunters (both dog hunters and non) and wardens has given me a poor impression of the place.

But my opinion is hardly authoritative, as I have not spent enough time there to really be sure.

 

[shaginator]

Payne Ranch area - even though the area looks very hog-friendly, they are indeed mostly transient according to everyone with whom I've spoken. Also -- there are folks on this board that have reported sightings. Cache Creek BLM is a big area, so anything is possible.

Personally haven't seen any hog sign, but there's a decent population of deer, with a decent population of deer hunters chasing them during A-zone season.

 

[shooter44]

You might see more turkeys than hogs. Could be worth the trip even if you don't see any pigs, if you hunt gobblers.

 

[Hawk 1]

Guys,

I will take a trip in and check it out. It looks like a neat area with all the ponds. Even if I don't see any pigs I enjoy exploring new areas and will let you know what I find.

 

[shooter44]

Hawk 1,

Did you ever get over there yet? I recently relocated to Folsom and I was thinking about checking out Payne Ranch myself.

 

[Kentuck]

When I first hunted that area about 5 years ago we found some pig sign up out of Harley gulch. I've been back twice since and have not seen any more hog sign. I have heard that the Indian Valley Reservoir area north of there holds hogs. Thick and brushy country though. Talked to a rancher in the Bear Valley east of Indian Valley Reservoir and he let folks hunt his place for a trespass fee. He had 7,000 acres and his hands would show you where they were seeing the most hog sign, then it was up to you. Never did follow up on that.

 

[Hawk 1]

Shooter 44,

I haven't gone to Payne Ranch yet and was thinking the weekend of the 22nd would work. Based on the reports, I will take along my fishing pole as well to check out the ponds on the property in the event that the pigs are not around.