Santa Cruz Island California Wild Pig Hunt.

[jackrabbit]

For a hunt this length, and having to fly in and out with weight restrictions, how is the meat supposed to be kept from spoiling.  Even boned out and in an ice chest, I can't see the meat keeping ok without trucking a load of ice to the island in the first place.  Does anybody know any details on how the meat is going to be kept?

 

[Dakota]

Colby,

I would say that is a pretty good pig for any area.  But it was by no means the only good size pig we saw.  There were several in the 150-200lb range spotted but the stalks there are brutal.  Spotting something a couple canyons away and then trying to get there can be a challenge.  And remember you have to pack in all your water so it is limited.

J.Rabbit,

A quick gutting and skinning is necessary to get body heat out.  Hang it in the shade.  This time of year shouldn't be a problem. I boned my pig out for pack out and hung it in game bags, it cooled nicely.  Properly handled the meat does just fine.  There was a time before refrigeration, when ice wasn't an option.

(Edited by Dakota at 8:56 am on Jan. 7, 2002)


(Edited by Dakota at 8:57 am on Jan. 7, 2002)

 

[Whtchooz]

Here is what Doug Updicke, DFG Biologist in charge of hunt, sent me when I emailed him some questions:

Regarding the wild pig hunt at Santa Cruz Island, here are some additional answers to commonly asked questions:

No limit on number of animals. Just a limit on volume to return... it needs fit into the 60 quart ice chest. I suggest planning to bone out the animals so that 4-5 medium-sized pigs can fit into the ice chest.

Bring lot's of pig tags.

No transportation costs to the hunters. We'll fly them to and from the island from the Camarillo Airport.

Hunters cannot bring their own boat. The Nature Conservancy doesn't want anyone anchoring offshore.

Hunters cannot bring a non-hunting partner/kid, etc. Only hunters will be transported, because space is very limited. I suggest that hunters apply with their partner.

I tell people to plan as if they are going to be hunting in the wilderness for two days. No open fires.

The plan is to drop hunters in pairs in areas where they will have exclusive hunting opportunities. They'll have a GPS unit, and walkie-talkies to call us if they need to.

They need to take all the food and water they'll need to the drop point. Then they're on they're own 'till we pick them up in two days.

Out of State hunters can apply. I'm only looking for them to give us a hunter safety certificate number. They can buy a hunting license after/if they're drawn.


I hope this answers some questions.

 

[Fubar]

Whtchooz  Welcome to Jesses Forum. Thanx for the info.                                   Fubar

 

[T F Coyote]

My brother-in-law and I applied for this hunt.  I am really hoping to get drawn as I've always wanted to hunt pig.  (I can't afford to pay for a guide on private land, and I don't know of any good public areas to hunt them.)  I am very thankful to the DFG for their efforts in bringing us this hunt.  There was a lot of politicking on their part, and the animal-rights people fought them every step of the way.

If anyone could give a quick lesson on field dressing and butchering pigs, I would appreciate it.  (The only things I've ever field dressed are rabbits, quail, and pheasants.)  If I had to select just the best cuts of pig, which should I choose?  Should the pigs be skinned on the spot, or can they be dragged back to camp first?

Anxiously waiting,
TFC

 

[JBarn3]

I put in an app for my father and I, now just hopin' and waitin'. My dad plans to use a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 mag. for hog hunting, be it on the island or elsewhere. Any opinion on how this will do the job? And for myself, would a .30-06 or a 12 guage be more effective? Thanx.

(Edited by JBarn3 at 11:09 pm on Jan. 25, 2002)

 

[Dakota]

The .44 is enough gun for pigs but requires a very effective stalk even if it is scoped.  I have hunted the island before and would definately take the 06 over a 12 gauge.  the 06 will give you a significant range advantage and accuracy.  This is not an easy hunt.  There are a lot of pigs but the work required to pack in and bag one is significant.

If drawn, take the maximum about of water you think you will need for two days...... and then double it.

 

[Speckmisser]

Dakota,

What kinds of ranges are we talking about on the island?  I was planning the carry my -06, but also thought about the .50 cal Hawken.  I'd love to get a pig with the smokepole, and I was thinking this would be my best chance outside of paying a guide.  

Great info from you and lots of the other guys.  Thanks!

 

[Dakota]

If you are experienced I wouldn't tell you not to bring your ML but while I hunted there I spotted several hogs, always a canyon or two away.  My stalks sometimes took over an hour. The first couple of times when I got there -NO PIG.  

I assume that you would land on the east end of the island as we did.  The best hunting is on the west end.  It is a hike of several miles from the air strip over the large hill/mountain to the other side.   Some of the island is rolling hills but the pigs seems to be on the steeper hills above the brush choked canyons.  A muzzleloader could get awful heavy on a hunt like that.

Having been forewarned I  took along my model 760 instead of my 700.  I was glad I did.  I was sucking up water as it was.

Does anyone know if they still have those sheep (I forget the name) on the island?  Not that I would shoot one they are just a bit more wild than a bottle fed lamb.  I had one run up to within 20 feet of me while I was gutting my hog.  Just wondered why they are so down on pigs if there a still thousands of sheep on the island.

(Edited by Dakota at 7:13 am on Jan. 27, 2002)

 

[Speckmisser]

Thanks for the info, Dakota.

I'll probably carry the -06, then, and not worry with the smokepole..although my Hawken is actually lighter than the modern rifle, there is a bunch of extra crap to carry along.  

According to the DFG, they'll be putting hunters in various spots around the island, so not too sure where the hikes will go.  

As for the sheep, I don't know if they're still there, but if so, they're planning to get ALL the non-natives off.  Maybe there'll be an eradication hunt for sheep too.  Dunno.

Bottom line, I think it's very cool and righteous that the DFG is going to let sport hunters do some of this work before they pay professional killers to come finish it off.  

 

[spectr17]

Jim Mattews Column 1/30/02

SANTA CRUZ PIGS: While a total count hasn't been done, Doug Updike with the DFG in Sacramento reported on Wednesday that something on the order of 2,500 postcard applications for the Santa Cruz Island wild hog hunt had been received by the agency. There are 120 hunting spots available for this hunt.

    "A big stack of express mail envelopes arrived today with postcard applications inside," said Updike. The deadline to have the applications in the DFG's hands was Thursday this week.

 

[songdog]

Let's hope that enough of us put in for at least one of us to get drawn so we can get some first person reports...

 

[Speckmisser]

Man, the odds of this one are gonna be worse than the odds for Tule Elk.  Oh well, I have my fingers crossed.

 

[karstic]

Speck,

As the sayin' goes, " You gotta be in it, to win it."

 

[SlipSliding]

Non-Resident Pid tags in Ca. are $13.90 for a packet of 5.

 

[JBarn3]

Non-Res pig tags in Ca aren't sold in books of 5, only Resident. The price for Non-Res. is per tag