public land hunting

[FoothillsPro12]

Can anybody give me some tips on pig hunting public land areas in Coalinga. Do they have any hogs on public property there?? If not what would be the closest place to go public or private? I was thinkin of going on a private land hunt but did wanna pay to much, so if any one has any tips let me know.

 

[easymoney]

Foothills,
Do a search on this site, as there is more than enough info on pig hunting on public land. Be prepared to do some marching, as the pigs are here today gone tommorow. Check out the many referals to guides that others have used.
There are MANY wild pigs in California and from my experience they can be taken on public land. Just don't be taken in by the articles in the magazines that make it seem you just have to drive out to any public property and open fire. It just ain't gonna happen...
Good luck...

 

[7magHunter]

Foothills,


I am too with the same problem, and I'm also from So Cal, there is public lands all over the state
but the problem is how hard is to find pigs in these lands, thats what I read in this forum, and
they always tell you the same thing, so me too don't want to spend big$$$ to hunt a pig,
so I was thinking maybe try the area closest to me, like Caliente mountains, Carrizo Plain,
new Cuyama???, I really don't know, I read that those areas are heavily hunted, but maybe
in the spring or summer?, I read that the best public grounds, are Camp roberts, a bit far, from
So Cal, but if anyone is interested may give it a try, and split 50/50 expenses.


good luck to you.

 

[Luckyshot]

Camp Roberts holds quite a few hogs, Jan and Feb are probably the most productive months up there at least in my experience. Fort Hunter ligget is good also especially the primitive weapons area. It's a cheap hunt and you'll see lots of Deer and Elk to keep you from getting board while looking for that big tusker.

 

[7magHunter]

Originally posted by Luckyshot@Dec 10 2004, 08:57 PM
Camp Roberts holds quite a few hogs, Jan and Feb are probably the most productive months up there at least in my experience. Fort Hunter ligget is good also especially the primitive weapons area. It's a cheap hunt and you'll see lots of Deer and Elk to keep you from getting board while looking for that big tusker.

thank you Luckyshot!!


I'm looking forward to it.

 

[easymoney]

Welcome again to the newbies...
The question of where to hunt wild game on public land always comes up and by doing a little homework on your part you should find the answers you seek.
On the other hand, the question of where to find game easily and cheaply on public land is one that will never really be answered, even here on JHO. The truth of the matter is the game is located where you find them, especially wild pigs. They like, almost all wild big game (especially here in California)have become mostly nocturnal, to avoid all the hunters. On top of that is the shear volume of people (legal and non-legal hunters) going out and pressuring the wildlfe, has made strolling out leasurely and picking out a legal animal, let alone a trophy undisturbed impossible. You will experience other hunters on public land and you will have to deal with it. Now, if you wish to hunt unditurbed, you have to be willing to put in the miles and I do mean miles, before you are successful on public land. It can be done, I do it every year successfully and I hunt mainly on public land with a bow...

OR, pay to play... The reasons why it costs more than "free" to hunt on guided or private lands is quite obvious: management of the properties, the game , the other hunters, the feed and water. On public land there is basically little or no management of any kind, even on State and Federal hunt refuges. The property is hunted to maximize the amount of bottom line profit, with little or no return to the game and land. Try waterfowling some time, on a public refuge...

My advice to those just getting started, is: do your homework if you wish to hunt public lands (try Camp Bob or FHL)and if you wish to learn the ropes quicker with an almost 100% success rate save your money and go with a guide. They know the animals, the land , hunters and how to bring them together.
I have hunted and fished all of my life on public land and it is not easy. But, I don't expect it to be,
that becomes the challenge. If it were easy it would be like shopping.

 

[FoothillsPro12]

Well thnx to all the great responses, i know fhl i shot 2 hogs there this year but i was lookin for somethin a lil closer seeing how it is a three hour drive, just was lookin for something more convenient