Pig Hunting Successes?

[Quacker Wacker]

This weather has me thinking about going pig hunting and I was wondering how it's going.  

We hunted a private ranch in Mendocino County, pay for play, 2 years ago as our first ever try.  We had a group of about 30 pass us within 50 yards and my 2 friends, who where the shooter, both got pork fever and couldn't get a shot off before the herd got into a draw.  Boy was it frustrating.  I'm looking forward to carrying a gun this time.  All this rain is making me remember the day, seemed the whole ranch was tore up from rooting in the wet ground.  We went back 6 weeks later, during which there was 0 precipitation.  The hogs where all gone and so was all the fresh rooting sign.

This ranch is $150/day for access, but if anyone can recommend somewhere for up to $300 with 50%+ success possibilities or maybe up to $500 with a near 100% chance I would love the info.  No hound hunts please.

 

[MNHNTR]

I received an email form these people, you might check it out.  It seems reasonable.... let me know if you go, how it went.....thanks....

www.boaring.com

 

[Hogskin]

You could go with Tom Willoughby (831) 385-3003.  He'll guarantee that you get a shot for about 400 bills.  He hunts with & without dogs, tell him you're a no-dog guy.  I've hunted with him a bunch of times, more like grocery shopping than hunting but always a blast.

Regards,
Paul

 

[hntndux]

I'm heading up to Sonoma County in the next week or so, I'll provide a report when I get back.  This will be my first pig hunt (I finally have access to a private ranch) so hopefully I won't get pork fever too...

 

[waldo2382]

Went hunting on the Work Ranch and it is guided by Bert Claussen (great guy) it is a 2 day hunt in the Paso Robles area and includes meals and lodging. There is a $200 deposit and then IF you shoot a pig you pay $350. If you get your pig the first day, there are quail, doves, rabbits and turkeys when in season. He does not use dogs and does spot and stalk via his 4x4. I was there Dec. 19 & 20 with my dad and my neighbor and we all got nice hogs the first day and shot doves, quail and rabbits the second. The only catch is that there must be a party of 3 or more. You can give the Work's Ranch a call at (805)467-3262. You can also visit the website of the ranch that works closely with the Work's Rach at www. jackranchhunts.net


(Edited by waldo2382 at 10:29 pm on Jan. 8, 2002)

 

[Speckmisser]

I've been itching to get out into the rough stuff and see if Porky is willing to come home for dinner, but I swear it's always something keeping me away.

In addition to my regular spots, I'm curious about areas around Lake Berryessa and Lake Sonoma.  Anyone familiar with these places?  Willing to share some general info?  Might be willing to trade central coast intel.

 

[Quacker Wacker]

Thanks for all the replies and usefull info.  Waldo I think I'll give the Works Ranch a call and see what kind of chemistry gets sparked up there.  The situation sounds right and so does the money.  My best friend lives in Salinas so the area works pretty well for us.  I'll give a report no matter where we decide, but it probably won't be until February some time.  

How about a quick fire-power question.  I have a 30-30, a Rem 7MM Mag, and a recently acquired used .243.  I just started shooting the .243 and I really like it's size and weight, do you think it would be appropriate for pigs out to 200 yards.  My friends will be bringing 30-06, 7MM, and .308" so I could leave longer shots, if available, to them.

 

[Fubar]

Quacker  Which gun is most accurate? Which gun are you most comfortable with? I think they could all take pigs within their limitations. Shot placement is everything. To take larger pigs at greater distances I would opt for the 7mm.               Fubar

 

[songdog]

As much of a fan of .243s as I am, I'd still say go with the 7mm if the .243 was newly acquired.  Unless you've shot it quite a bit and feel more than comfortable with it you'll end up with more pork in the freezer with the 7mm.

 

[Bwht4x4]

Everyone gets so excited about hunting during the winter with the rain and the cold.  Trust me hunting is far better in May, June and July.  Plus if it rains on the weekend that you decide to go out with a guide they probably aren't going to be able to do much driving.  The dirt roads up here on the central coast get nasty in the winter.  So nasty that some are a death wish.  

I second the note before also on guides.  Boaring Experiences runs a tight ship with good success rates.  Plus they don't hunt like slobs using dogs.

www.boaring.com

 

[colby18]

quacker,
what was the name of that ranch that charged you $150 a day and where was it located if you don't mind me asking.  And was the $150 per person or for the whole group?

 

[waldo2382]

The 7 mm mag is a great rifle, on that hunt with the Work's Ranch, I used a Browning A-Bolt in that caliber and managed to put a 275# right on his back with legs in the air at 150 yards. However, a rifle and it's caliber is only as good as the person using it. My neighbor's first shot with his 7mm mag didn't even penetrate the shoulder blade of his 175# pig.

As for Speckmisser, the Knowville Wildlife Management area is near Lake Berryessa and may or may not have pigs. I have been there and the area looks promissing. plenty of quail there though. Anyway, I will soon be hunting that area thuroughly for pigs. The DFG office in Yountville has a general map of the area with directions. From Vallejo, that area is about 65 miles from here and takes about two miles due to the windy roads.

(Edited by waldo2382 at 9:07 pm on Jan. 5, 2002)

 

[Quacker Wacker]

Where to start:

Songdog/Fubar:  Thanks for the words, I think I will stick with the Mag until I get enough practice in.  I've gotten pretty excited by the posts on the Varmint page, so I'll try to get some experience there.

Bwht:  I'll give boaring experiences a call, but I don't know if the price will be right or not.  I've heard more than once that later will be better and since I have zero experience in the central coast during the wet season I appreciate the heads up.  The ranch we hunted wasn't that large, 1100 acres, and we mostly walked it.

Colby:  I was referred to the rancher by a friend, unfortunately he only allows people personally referred by friends at this time.  I will ask again next time I speak with him if he minds if I pass his info on.

Thanks again to all, I will post regarding our adventure.

P.S.  Songdog, I will be at Kern for my first trip on the final Saturday this year.  I would love to say hi if you're there.  I'll be in a '00 GMC 2500 Wht/Gld.  I have a son and 2 friends on the ressie or I'd invite you as thanks for all the entertaining posts/picks.

 

[LavaHunter]

Quacker, You might give Larry Greve at hogswild@thegrid.net. I've bow hunted with him and have had success. He has a seperate ranch for bow and other places for rifle. It was 300 for bow for 2 days and i beleive it is 450 for rifle.

 

[Quacker Wacker]

LH- Thanks for the referral.  Do you have any more specifics you can share like, locations, lodging, hunt style, # days included, etc.

 

[ropes]

I hunted north of the Bay Area out of Williams / Maxwell last Feb with John and Tom of Antelope Valley Hunting Club 530 473-2790. It was a great hunt. Was $150 day fee / $250 kill fee.

You can find a short story on my links page.

http://www.ptialaska.net/~muskegex/currentphotos.html

Johnnie

 

[Hook]

Nice hog, Ropes. You put together a very nice web site also. Great pictures and stories. I made my first trip to Alaska this passed Sept. for Caribou. I fell in love with the place. Can't wait to go back.

Here are the hogs that we took out of a large ranch near San Ardo, just south of King City with Frank Morasci at Mustang guide service. We had a great time and great hunt. He charges 400 for a 2 day hunt. I have hunted with him several times and I always got my hog on the first day.

 

[colby18]

hook, when did you go with mustang guide service?  I went this summer.  Didn't get a hog but had a great time.  Franks a great guy.  He stood by the no kill no pay.  My buddy shot a hog that had been shot once and was infected in its hind quarters and had a gimp leg.  Frank didn't charge him for that hog either because it was unedible.  My buddie also goes with nesson schmidt out of king city I believe.  He charges around $400 and they always get their pigs within 1 1/2 hours.  If anyone is interested I can get the number for you.  
Hook, I almost forgot, what did your hogs weigh?

 

[Hook]

colby18, we were their July 20th -2001. That's me on the right in the picture. We didn't weight the hogs but i am guessing aroung 150. Yes, Frank is a great guy.

I plan on making another trip up there this spring. Here are the 4 pigs taken on our hunt.

 

[songdog]

Quacker,

If I'm up at Kern I'll look for you.  I'm torn between hanging up the deks for the year (say it isn't so!) and pursuing my unfilled A31 tag a little bit harder or taking a swing at some of these ducks as it seems to be picking up a bit.

I'll let you know if I'm up there...