San Diego CNF - Looking for a little reassurance and hope...

[finley3]

I'm not looking for exact locations but a general sense that there are still some pigs out here in San Diego in the Cleveland National Forest/BLM areas. I hear about Tejon and other, mostly northern, parts of CA. Has anyone seen tracks, signs or any kind of hope there are pigs out there roaming around? Don't get me wrong I love armed hiking but a little reassurance would definitely get me out there more. Whether it's more scouting, longer and more strenuous hikes, whatever.

A simple reply with, "Yes, their out there." Or, hell, even a "Yes, so quit being a little b*tch about it" would get me motivated.

Or is it a no and I'm better off planning a trip north to make it worth my wild.

Thanks!

 

[cali-carnivore]

No personal sightings but there are many posts and even trail cam pics in this forum.

 

[solus]

there was a post by a fellow jho member not too long ago with trail cam pics of a pig in CNF

 

[Aught-SixGuy]

Saw sign, but no animals.

 

[Wild1]

Yes. If I can remember, I'll post a picture tonight of last weeks trail camera(s). Between my hunting partner and I, we've killed (bow) a few in the CNF - but the bad news is, we've haven't killed one since last August. I've been hunting a small sounder and a large boar since January, but haven't been able to connect yet. Please don't PM, GPS coordinates are unavailable.

 

[finley3]

Thanks. A little reassurance always helps. I just want to ensure I wasn't wasting time and, well, money. I don't need, nor want exact locations. As long as I know there are some out there, I don't mind putting in the time and effort scouting. Like I said, I like armed hiking.

 

[Portuguese Pointer]

I'm not looking for exact locations but a general sense that there are still some pigs out here in San Diego in the Cleveland National Forest/BLM areas. I hear about Tejon and other, mostly northern, parts of CA. Has anyone seen tracks, signs or any kind of hope there are pigs out there roaming around? Don't get me wrong I love armed hiking but a little reassurance would definitely get me out there more. Whether it's more scouting, longer and more strenuous hikes, whatever.

A simple reply with, "Yes, their out there." Or, hell, even a "Yes, so quit being a little b*tch about it" would get me motivated.

Or is it a no and I'm better off planning a trip north to make it worth my wild.

Thanks!

Paraphrasing your comment/question of trying to harvest a CNF area pig or heading north for one, I would say head North. Simple stats of single digit annual harvests show SD county is almost impossible if you consider the "foot time" of backcountry hunters.###

Are there pigs? Yep. Found day old signs a couple of days ago and again confirmed yet a another hog at a different spot on one of our cams (a smaller one this time maybe 90lbs). Wild1 is the only one with any harvest success and glad he posts. I'm stubborn, have been close more than once, and will keep on trying for a SD model.###

Good luck Finley3 and post if you see signs or harvest one.###

 

[arod50006]

I took a sow almost 2 years ago. Going again in June. I hunted close to the Descanso side. Good luck.

 

[Wild1]

Taken a few days ago in SD county. I'm fairly certain this hog is part of a sounder I've been seeing on trail cam since January - most likely the offspring of a nice sow and a gnarly boar I've been hunting in the same general area. P. Pointer, is correct, it's very tough hunting and, considering the amount of time and money (gas) you'll probably spend (unless you get really lucky), you're better off hiring a guide in central CA. I just happen to get a ton of satisfaction from DIY hunting - so I keep trying.

 

[XcountryRider]

I'm hunting in an area in South County with a ton of sign but so far only spotted a football. Pigs were also sighted on the shore ot Otay lakes on Saturday. If you use Google Earth look at this file of Pig Locations from 2011/2012 https://www.facebook.com/download/148662475315958/Pig Overlay Map.kmz. I took a map from the San Diego natural History Museum and made it into a google earth overlay. They are all over the place just got to study the maps and get out and scout. Stay away from the well trafficked areas like boulder creek. Those area were hot a couple years ago.

 

[dwikkles]

Taken a few days ago in SD county. I'm fairly certain this hog is part of a sounder I've been seeing on trail cam since January - most likely the offspring of a nice sow and a gnarly boar I've been hunting in the same general area. P. Pointer, is correct, it's very tough hunting and, considering the amount of time and money (gas) you'll probably spend (unless you get really lucky), you're better off hiring a guide in central CA. I just happen to get a ton of satisfaction from DIY hunting - so I keep trying.

Very cool bud. You are the man as always. I have faith you will find them.

Have you gotten any pics this year of those bears we talked about when we ran in to each other during deer season?

I'm hunting in an area in South County with a ton of sign but so far only spotted a football. Pigs were also sighted on the shore ot Otay lakes on Saturday. If you use Google Earth look at this file of Pig Locations from 2011/2012 https://www.facebook.com/download/148662475315958/Pig Overlay Map.kmz. I took a map from the San Diego natural History Museum and made it into a google earth overlay. They are all over the place just got to study the maps and get out and scout. Stay away from the well trafficked areas like boulder creek. Those area were hot a couple years ago.

That FB link does not work for me. Anyone else have that problem?

 

[Wild1]

d -

I'll start my bear scouting about mid/late June.....first I gotta whack me another hog! I'm gettin' closer, should be able to close the deal soon, but on public land, with a bow, it gets tougher and tougher. Did you put in for the A-22 draw....?

 

[dwikkles]

d -

I'll start my bear scouting about mid/late June.....first I gotta whack me another hog! I'm gettin' closer, should be able to close the deal soon, but on public land, with a bow, it gets tougher and tougher. Did you put in for the A-22 draw....?

Yes sir you know I did What about you? I dont know what ill do for my second tag yet.

Good luck my man i have faith in ya!

 

[Wild1]

Yep, keep yer fingers crossed. Second tag will probably be an AO tag. Hopefully I'll see you on the mountain (draggin' out a 3x3)!

 

[dwikkles]

Yep, keep yer fingers crossed. Second tag will probably be an AO tag. Hopefully I'll see you on the mountain (draggin' out a 3x3)!

Hahaha hopefully both of us buddy

 

[Portuguese Pointer]

Moved a non productive cam w/only 1 pig shot in several weeks to a new spot. Getting regular activity on the new spot but hasn't produced results yet. Frustrating little buggers. They are out there but just not a lot of them. Good luck.

 

[finley3]

That's all the motivation I need.