Tejon questions

[Vermonster]

Going to the Feb 3rd management hunt, and it will be my first ever there. I have a couple quick questions. I have looked over the FAQ's on the site, but figured I'd throw a couple out here.

1. #### Found answer to this one....

2. If you can stay and help out, does the ranch have a cooler where they will hang your pig for the time you are there?

3. Do they have a place to lock up your weapons if you want to accompany your buddy, but don't want to leave your gun at the hotel?

4. Is orange required, or wear/not wear at your own risk?

Thanks for any info. Getting excited to go. The December hunt had about 50% success. This one is an open hunt, South side. Fun, fun......

 

[studmanbri]

1. no cooler that I have seen but it will probably be 40 degrees during the day so you don't need one.
2. Keep them in the truck. You just can't have one on your lap in the truck, or with you hiking.
3. No orange required. I've never seen any orange out there. Not as crucial as the type of hunters you run into out there aren't the type that shoot before they look.
It's a fun weekend to go, I do that weekend every year.

 

[Vermonster]

1. no cooler that I have seen but it will probably be 40 degrees during the day so you don't need one.
2. Keep them in the truck. You just can't have one on your lap in the truck, or with you hiking.
3. No orange required. I've never seen any orange out there. Not as crucial as the type of hunters you run into out there aren't the type that shoot before they look.
It's a fun weekend to go, I do that weekend every year.

Thanks! Are you going that weekend this year? I will be with another friend who has pig hunted, but never there. I have never pig hunted period. I do have someone giving me some spots ahead of time though, so we'll see how it goes.

How is the success usually at that time? 50% for the December hunt sounds pretty good.

 

[wtpops]

Never pig hunted, boy are you in for a treat. They are like Lays, you cant hunt just one. You will more than likely get hooked.

I plan on being there in March, i think its the first weekend.

Tip: The place can and does have some rough country, keep that in mind when you shoot.

 

[Vermonster]

Never pig hunted, boy are you in for a treat. They are like Lays, you cant hunt just one. You will more than likely get hooked.

I plan on being there in March, i think its the first weekend.

Tip: The place can and does have some rough country, keep that in mind when you shoot.

I have already been told to shoot them about 100 yards uphill from the road.... :thumbs up2:

 

[Vermonster]

Bump..... One more question......

Any of you guys stay at the local hotels instead of the campsites? Jodi at the ranch said either the Holiday Inn Express in Lebec, or a Ramada "at the base of the grapevine". Well, which town is the "base of the grapevine"?????

Any other recommendations?

 

[XDHUNTER]

Campsite for me... if you shoot a pig your not going to sleep anyway.......

 

[wtpops]

Bump..... One more question......

Any of you guys stay at the local hotels instead of the campsites? Jodi at the ranch said either the Holiday Inn Express in Lebec, or a Ramada "at the base of the grapevine". Well, which town is the "base of the grapevine"?????

Any other recommendations?

There is no town at the base its a fuel stop. Since you are on the south side Lebec is the closest , it is right at the south side entrance and your best bet. When i go i pull my 5th wheel up, its a home away from home.

 

[spectr17]

There's a Ramada and BEst Western on the north side of the GRapevine at the bottom, Lebec is on top just south of FRazier PArk where you enter the Ranch for the south side.. I'd stay at the one at the top next to the Flying J, it's a lot closer if you need to go back to the room or to start from. The campsite is the best place to stay IMHO if you have a camper or tent. Tent could be the suck if it rains or is cold.

 

[studmanbri]

If you stay in a hotel they don't let you back in until 6am, to late for me. I like to be out by then. Besides, half the fun is camping. I'm not hunting that week this year, going to do the archery on 3/4. I think success is more like 40%. Don't focus on percentages, it usually depends on who is hunting that week. If there are lots of people you hunt it differently than when there are only a few. Find vantage points and glass transition between flat land and the foot hills, don't worry about having a spot, the whole ranch is good. You will see pigs.

 

[wtpops]

If you stay in a hotel they don't let you back in until 6am, to late for me. I like to be out by then. Besides, half the fun is camping. I'm not hunting that week this year, going to do the archery on 3/4. I think success is more like 40%. Don't focus on percentages, it usually depends on who is hunting that week. If there are lots of people you hunt it differently than when there are only a few. Find vantage points and glass transition between flat land and the foot hills, don't worry about having a spot, the whole ranch is good. You will see pigs.

I plan on being there that weekend also. good luck to you.

 

[btrebil]

Hey Vermonster,
I hunt their that weekend every year and my father and I will be there this year. I drive a 4 door lifted chevy hauling a white toy hauler trailer. In the field I drive a camo colored lifted suzuki samurai. My name is Brett, so come say hi.

I recommend camping, there have been some break-ins on people staying at the hotels that had their gear and guns stolen. It was about two years ago, but I like my stuff to much to risk it. And plus the designated camping area puts everybody together and you can roam and swap pig stories in the evening to see who got what.

As for suggestions on the ranch, it is a big place and some people do have their favorite spots, I know I do, but generally any where you get off the road and hike then glass, you will usually see pigs. I see at least 100 pigs every weekend I go up there.

My average is at about 95% success rate, I have hunted their 12 times and only once was skunked. But be prepared for some rough hikes and if the roads are wet they are slick and be careful not to drop your truck over an edge.

Looking forward to meeting you up there.

BT

 

[Vermonster]

Thanks for the responses guys. I went ahead and made reservations at the Holiday Inn Express in F.P. I am bringing someone with me, who I have not hunted with him so I don't know his comfort level, and since neither of us have been there, so I wanted to be comfortable the first time. I will look around at the facilities, and if it looks good, then consider camping next time.

Brett, we weill look for you. I already some info lined up for areas to go to, so hopefully we will get into pigs. Not sure what vehicle my friend is taking, but I will let you know when I find out. I know he has a 4x4 and we've been advised to take that.

One other quick question. Will they send out an information package with directions, instructions, etc., when they get our application? Just wondering what to expect. Thanks.

 

[btrebil]

They send a verification letter with directions to the check in station. Check in is usually at 8 am at the south gate in lebec. Then people are allowed to go in and set up camp. Your not supposed to start hunting until after 12, but they usually let guys into the field around 11, with the thought that your not supposed to be out of your truck rifle in hand until after 12. If your staying at the hotel, make sure to take all your gear into the hotel each night, don't want your hunt to get ruined by some a-hole looking to score. If i were you though, I would definitely camp. The camping area is really flat and easy and it is centrally located in the ranch so you can get to your hunting spots easier in the morning. Also, if your a newbie, when you check in explain that to the ranch hands and they will give you some good advice, usually. Good luck and looking forward to meeting you.
Take care,
BT

 

[Vermonster]

Okay. Sounds good. What time is the orientation that the talk about?

 

[btrebil]

Is after everyone is checked in, usually by 9 or 930 am. It's a quick meeting, they go over safety and emphasize their rules.

 

[Vermonster]

Thanks. I had thought I heard 10 AM, but guess I will have to get up an hour earlier. Have to leave by about 5 AM from Escondido, I guess.

 

[btrebil]

You want to be there right at 8 am so that you are in the big group of people, the straglers that check in late, have to do the safety meeting individually when the ranch hands are around and you might have to wait until the get back from a drive.