Rangerjoel
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Well, it's that time of year again. Lake Sonoma will be holding pig hunts starting in October.
for all the details including a calander of hunt/no hunt days, e-mail me at:
joel.d.miller@spd02.usace.army.mil
Also, is there anyone on the forum who can post these documents for others to see?
Joel
The folowing is a cut and paste text from the FAQ and Press Release.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
U.S. ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, SAN FRANCISCO
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
LAKE SONOMA
3333 SKAGGS SPRINGS ROAD
GEYSERVILLE, CA 95441-9644
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- August 25, 2005
SPECIAL WILD PIG HUNTS SCHEDULED AT LAKE SONOMA
Feral pig hunts will be offered at Lake Sonoma during a special hunting season. Archery and crossbow hunting of feral pigs will be permitted on special hunt days beginning on October 1st. 2005 and ending on March 31st. 2006 Contact the Lake Sonoma Visitor Center for information on hunting days or
e-mail Park Ranger Joel Miller at joel.d.miller@spd02.usace.army.mil for a complete hunting calendar.
The Purpose for Pig Hunts:
These hunts are intended to reduce the local population of wild pigs. The European wild pig (Sus scofa) was brought into Carmel Valley in Monterey County in 1925. Here pigs were released into the wilds where they expanded their range and interbred with feral domestic pigs. The range was further expanded by individuals who caught wild pigs and relocated them in various areas throughout the state. Wild pigs have become an increasing problem at Lake Sonoma. Extensive erosion damage is occurring due to the pigs rooting up many acres of hillsides trails and landscaped areas of the park.
Special Restrictions:
These special hunting dates are limited to archery and crossbow hunting only. Hunters may not possess any firearm while in the park.
Hunters must clearly display their valid California hunting license on their clothing while in the park.
Only limited portions of the park are open for hunting. Hunters must consult a park hunting map (available at the park visitor center).
Hunters are required to check in at the Milt Brandt Visitor Center prior to hunting, and display a special hunt pass on the windshield of their vehicles. Hunters also must check out by depositing their special hunt pass in a fee vault located at the public boat ramps or in the self-registration box located in front of the Milt Brandt Visitor Center.
Hunters are subject to all park rules and regulations as well as all applicable Department of Fish & Game rules and regulations and State laws.
The conduct of hunters observed during this hunting period will determine if future hunts will be held next fall.
Contacts:
Public questions regarding this special hunt may be directed to:
Lake Sonoma Visitor Center (707) 433-9483 Ext.27
For further information on this press release, contact:
Park Ranger Joel Miller (707) 433-9483 Ext. 20
Information:
2005/2006 Pig Hunting
Lake Sonoma
• All hunters check in at the visitor center by filling out a hunter information card located at the self-registration area of the visitor center. Hunters turn in one-half on entering and one-half on checking out.
• Hunting will take place ½ hour before Sunrise to ½ hour after Sunset in October. Week long hunting will begin November 1st and will conclude at the end of March.
• Hunting will not occur on Holidays or two days before DFG has special “draw” hunts scheduled.
• Archery and the use of Crossbow will be the only permitted method for taking pigs.
• Pigs will be the only species hunted.
• Dogs may not be used for hunting.
• Hunters will be required to display a valid hunting license on their person and have pig tags with them while at the project.
• All hunters must comply with California Department of Fish & Game regulations.
• Hunting will be restricted to areas shown on the map posted in front of the Visitor Center.
• Hunting maps check in procedures and park hunting rules and regulations will be posted on all park information kiosks, parking lots and/or trailheads.
Hunters cannot have any firearm in their possession while at the project.
Commonly asked questions:
Where are the pigs?
A: Hunters seem to have the greatest success at the end of the lake and the more remote shoreline areas near loggers camp. Other than that, you will just have to do your homework and start scouting.
Can I carry a side arm while hunting?
A: No, you will have to rely on your skill and judgment in making a shot with your bow or cross bow.
Can I use the fire roads and trails in the park?
A: You may hike on any fire road or trail at any time within the park to access hunting grounds. However you may not operate any motorized vehicle or use horses after the trails are closed for the rainy season. Also, you may not follow a fire road onto adjacent private property.
Why do I have to display my hunting license on my clothing?
A: Simple, It makes you easily identifiable to Park Rangers and Game Wardens as a legitimate hunter. We can see it at a distance and save the trouble of interrupting your hunting. This is especially important because you are hunting in a park that sees many visitors from urban areas. These people are not used to seeing hunters and the license can ease some minds. It’s also your chance to be an ambassador of your sport.
Will you open the pig hunts to shotguns or rifles?
A: Hunting with shotguns or rifles will only occur when these activities can be managed directly by the California Department of Fish and Game. In the mean time, we will try to keep this special season open to archery and cross bow hunting.
Do I have to check in every day?
A: No, you only need to check in on the first day of your hunt. We only ask that you drop your checkout card in a fee vault on the way out of the park so we can keep an accurate tally of how many hunters have participated and what kind of success rate you are having. This doesn’t mean that you should only fill out one card for the whole season though.
Finally a special note from the Natural Resource Ranger.
Due to land owner’s complaints of hunter trespass on their property, the entire south side of the warm springs arm of the lake has been closed to hunting by the Park Manager. This should be a wakeup call to all of you to regulate yourselves and inform others in the field. The irresponsible act of two hunters has resulted in the loss of hunting grounds to the rest of us! I also received another report of rifle poaching last year out near rustler’s camp on the dry creek arm of the lake. Thank you very much for being vigilant, maybe we’ll catch them this year. Remember to snap some digital photos of any crime you may see in the park.
That’s all. Good luck and happy hunting.
Joel Miller
Natural Resource Ranger
for all the details including a calander of hunt/no hunt days, e-mail me at:
joel.d.miller@spd02.usace.army.mil
Also, is there anyone on the forum who can post these documents for others to see?
Joel
The folowing is a cut and paste text from the FAQ and Press Release.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
U.S. ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, SAN FRANCISCO
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
LAKE SONOMA
3333 SKAGGS SPRINGS ROAD
GEYSERVILLE, CA 95441-9644
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- August 25, 2005
SPECIAL WILD PIG HUNTS SCHEDULED AT LAKE SONOMA
Feral pig hunts will be offered at Lake Sonoma during a special hunting season. Archery and crossbow hunting of feral pigs will be permitted on special hunt days beginning on October 1st. 2005 and ending on March 31st. 2006 Contact the Lake Sonoma Visitor Center for information on hunting days or
e-mail Park Ranger Joel Miller at joel.d.miller@spd02.usace.army.mil for a complete hunting calendar.
The Purpose for Pig Hunts:
These hunts are intended to reduce the local population of wild pigs. The European wild pig (Sus scofa) was brought into Carmel Valley in Monterey County in 1925. Here pigs were released into the wilds where they expanded their range and interbred with feral domestic pigs. The range was further expanded by individuals who caught wild pigs and relocated them in various areas throughout the state. Wild pigs have become an increasing problem at Lake Sonoma. Extensive erosion damage is occurring due to the pigs rooting up many acres of hillsides trails and landscaped areas of the park.
Special Restrictions:
These special hunting dates are limited to archery and crossbow hunting only. Hunters may not possess any firearm while in the park.
Hunters must clearly display their valid California hunting license on their clothing while in the park.
Only limited portions of the park are open for hunting. Hunters must consult a park hunting map (available at the park visitor center).
Hunters are required to check in at the Milt Brandt Visitor Center prior to hunting, and display a special hunt pass on the windshield of their vehicles. Hunters also must check out by depositing their special hunt pass in a fee vault located at the public boat ramps or in the self-registration box located in front of the Milt Brandt Visitor Center.
Hunters are subject to all park rules and regulations as well as all applicable Department of Fish & Game rules and regulations and State laws.
The conduct of hunters observed during this hunting period will determine if future hunts will be held next fall.
Contacts:
Public questions regarding this special hunt may be directed to:
Lake Sonoma Visitor Center (707) 433-9483 Ext.27
For further information on this press release, contact:
Park Ranger Joel Miller (707) 433-9483 Ext. 20
Information:
2005/2006 Pig Hunting
Lake Sonoma
• All hunters check in at the visitor center by filling out a hunter information card located at the self-registration area of the visitor center. Hunters turn in one-half on entering and one-half on checking out.
• Hunting will take place ½ hour before Sunrise to ½ hour after Sunset in October. Week long hunting will begin November 1st and will conclude at the end of March.
• Hunting will not occur on Holidays or two days before DFG has special “draw” hunts scheduled.
• Archery and the use of Crossbow will be the only permitted method for taking pigs.
• Pigs will be the only species hunted.
• Dogs may not be used for hunting.
• Hunters will be required to display a valid hunting license on their person and have pig tags with them while at the project.
• All hunters must comply with California Department of Fish & Game regulations.
• Hunting will be restricted to areas shown on the map posted in front of the Visitor Center.
• Hunting maps check in procedures and park hunting rules and regulations will be posted on all park information kiosks, parking lots and/or trailheads.
Hunters cannot have any firearm in their possession while at the project.
Commonly asked questions:
Where are the pigs?
A: Hunters seem to have the greatest success at the end of the lake and the more remote shoreline areas near loggers camp. Other than that, you will just have to do your homework and start scouting.
Can I carry a side arm while hunting?
A: No, you will have to rely on your skill and judgment in making a shot with your bow or cross bow.
Can I use the fire roads and trails in the park?
A: You may hike on any fire road or trail at any time within the park to access hunting grounds. However you may not operate any motorized vehicle or use horses after the trails are closed for the rainy season. Also, you may not follow a fire road onto adjacent private property.
Why do I have to display my hunting license on my clothing?
A: Simple, It makes you easily identifiable to Park Rangers and Game Wardens as a legitimate hunter. We can see it at a distance and save the trouble of interrupting your hunting. This is especially important because you are hunting in a park that sees many visitors from urban areas. These people are not used to seeing hunters and the license can ease some minds. It’s also your chance to be an ambassador of your sport.
Will you open the pig hunts to shotguns or rifles?
A: Hunting with shotguns or rifles will only occur when these activities can be managed directly by the California Department of Fish and Game. In the mean time, we will try to keep this special season open to archery and cross bow hunting.
Do I have to check in every day?
A: No, you only need to check in on the first day of your hunt. We only ask that you drop your checkout card in a fee vault on the way out of the park so we can keep an accurate tally of how many hunters have participated and what kind of success rate you are having. This doesn’t mean that you should only fill out one card for the whole season though.
Finally a special note from the Natural Resource Ranger.
Due to land owner’s complaints of hunter trespass on their property, the entire south side of the warm springs arm of the lake has been closed to hunting by the Park Manager. This should be a wakeup call to all of you to regulate yourselves and inform others in the field. The irresponsible act of two hunters has resulted in the loss of hunting grounds to the rest of us! I also received another report of rifle poaching last year out near rustler’s camp on the dry creek arm of the lake. Thank you very much for being vigilant, maybe we’ll catch them this year. Remember to snap some digital photos of any crime you may see in the park.
That’s all. Good luck and happy hunting.
Joel Miller
Natural Resource Ranger
