Vandenberg AFB

[scottmarine]

Plan on heading there in the morning. Never pig hunted before. I have a .270 and my bow. Ill be by myself if someone wants to go for company. Also if anyone has any information it would be awesome. I hunt hard. I really want to bag a pig too. Ill be leaving from Camp Pendleton so maybe a evening hunt then Sunday and Monday.

 

[leftyhunter]

My son will be going to boot camp in Aug he is not sure on the exact date but Aug for sure then on to USMC combat training and his MOS school which is Milintel. Shoot me a PM and maybe you guys might be able to go next year depending on a whole lot of variables. My son also has a .270.


Leftyhunter

 

[Huntr Pat]

It sound like a good plan.I may have to see how my schedule go.

 

[zkeller15]

Let us know how your hunt went im looking forward to going out there but i seem to find other plans...(wife seems to find other plans for me)... cant wait to get out there... i havent been in a state like this before its killing me that the public land is this rare where im at (NAS Lemoore) and that its taken this long before i can go hunting. kansas people arent supposed to be deprived of hunting like this!

 

[scottmarine]

I seen lots of sign. Had little information on where to.go. I didn't get one but I think its do to not ever pig hunting before I put lots of miles in. Seen a bunch of coyotes and one big mountain lion. Tons of deer it was fun. I recommend going. I'm going again.

 

[myfriendis410]

I'm not aware of any hogs killed over the weekend here. It was a little slow. We only saw one hog the two times we were out. But that's pig hunting. Next time, look me up at the gun club and I'll try to give you some dope on where to go.

 

[New Hunter]

Is the base opened to public to hunt as well or just for military personnels?

 

[myfriendis410]

Active duty, retired military, DoD, NAFs, AAFES, Chumash Indians or guests of active duty or retired military.

 

[scottmarine]

1 was killed. I stopped by the club and got my membership. But the gentlemen that helped me said he didn't know about hunting. I wanna come back up this weekend or next.

 

[myfriendis410]

1 was killed. I stopped by the club and got my membership. But the gentlemen that helped me said he didn't know about hunting. I wanna come back up this weekend or next.

I work every other week; Sunday Tuesday Thursday and Saturday. Call ahead and you can get my work days. Ask for Alan. 805 606 4560.

 

[scottmarine]

Headed back up tonight. For everyone going they have a lot of areas closed. For rifle units 3 and 5 are the only ones open. There are numerous bow, muzzle loader ones closed. Good luck to everyone hunting this weekend. Be safe.

 

[scottmarine]

Mistake units that are open are c-3, 4 and 5. A-1,4 and 5. B-4, 5 AND 6.

 

[New Hunter]

Man! I wanna go too (this place is much closer compared to FHL), but too bad, I'm not a military and I don't know any military personnel. Good luck guys!

 

[ManCalledHorse]

Active duty, retired military, DoD, NAFs, AAFES, Chumash Indians or guests of active duty or retired military.

I think that policy sucks. Because I am a Marine of 12 years active duty (was a D.I., staff NCO and 2nd Black Belt MAIT) with 60% disability and I have to go to some Army or Airforce (no disrespect intented) to hunt, instead of being with my fellow Marines on Marine Land. That policy needs to change.

What ever happened to Once a Marine, always a Marine. But you know as well as I do, some of those DOD civilians never even served in a uniform and they get more priviledges than a Marine who hooked and jabbed in Iraq honorably for their 4 for the Corps.... man, if only there was something or someone I can talk to change that nonsense.

 

[myfriendis410]

I'm sorry you feel that way. I've got nothing but respect for our military and the sacrifices that came along with the job. My best friend was in hard combat for a year and took it in the shorts by the military. (Received NO hazardous duty pay because they gave him his mailing address in Kuwait!)

I never served in uniform, and I certainly feel like a second class citizen at times, so I don't understand where you're coming from there.

If you want to effect changes in the hunting policy at VAFB (which, by your post, I'm guessing is your intent) then contact your congressman, contact the base LE office etc.

 

[ltdann]

I think that policy sucks. Because I am a Marine of 12 years active duty (was a D.I., staff NCO and 2nd Black Belt MAIT) with 60% disability and I have to go to some Army or Airforce (no disrespect intented) to hunt, instead of being with my fellow Marines on Marine Land. That policy needs to change.

What ever happened to Once a Marine, always a Marine. But you know as well as I do, some of those DOD civilians never even served in a uniform and they get more priviledges than a Marine who hooked and jabbed in Iraq honorably for their 4 for the Corps.... man, if only there was something or someone I can talk to change that nonsense.

If your medically retired, with an ID card, you can hunt there. If you don't have an ID, your out of luck, simple as that.

It's a strategic base with serious national defense assests (unlike FHL) and the CO needs to have UCMJ control over the base occupants (even hunters) in case there's a problem.

Perhaps you could try Camp Pendleton, FHL or even Camp Roberts.

 

[ManCalledHorse]

Let me clarify myself myfriendis410, I wasn't bagging on civilians. I was just saying for Camp Pendleton (their base hunting club's current policy), they only allow retired (who did a full 20-year career), 100% disabled, active duty and DOD civilian personnel and their guests.

I was trying to saying is: What about the Marines who served (honorably)? Why can't they hunt on a Marine base, such as Pendleton? Instead, they have resort to hunting on an Army or Airforce base. Hey, I am thankful for the Army's and Airforce's acceptance of all current and former military personnel. Sure, I got a VA card and a disabled vet license and I am covered there. But that is not the issue I am trying to say.

Back to the civilian thing, all I was saying was, "Some of the civilians that work on base (DOD) never were in the military and all they ever did was work on base." All I am asking is, "Why do they get to have the priviledge to hunt on a Marine base instead of a Marine who honorably served for 4?" I am open to whoever gets what previledges. But, it kinda feels unfair and doesn't make sense.

I mean, my son is thinking of becoming a Marine too (he's 16). So, what am I supposed to tell him? The Marine Corps is a family, a brotherhood. They will always accept you, as long as your still in or do your 20... Tell that to the young kid who did 3 out of 4 years in combat, see if that makes sense to him/her too.

"Hey Airforce and Army! Thanks for letting me play at your house, since my Marine bros won't."

Don't get me wrong, I am mean this in all sincere ways. I always had spoke out on what didn't make sense. I just wish things could be fair. Again, I wish I could go to a Marine base (because I am a Marine).

P.S.- Don't ever sell yourself short bro, you are not a second class citizen (we all have our place and calling in this world)

I am just saying....

 

[ManCalledHorse]

I got ya Itdann. I never knew too much about DOD's and if they fall under the UCMJ. I am happy I can hunt on Army and Airforce bases with my disabled vet license. However, it just burns me Camp Pen won't let prior Marines hunt. I mean, I would understand if they said "No Dishonorable discharges." I get that. But, just retirees and active duty and DOD and guests? Heck, I am fine with just Retirees and active/ reserve duty.

When I was a hat on MCRD San Diego, civilians who "acted up" were removed and banned from base. And if it was too haneous, the local authorities were called to take custody of them. So there is still control on base.

It just doesn't feel right. I guess what I am really trying to say is, "if you earned the title and did what you were supposed to do, then you rate your fair share." You earned what you worked hard for....That is all I am saying bro.

 

[ltdann]

Yep, the CO wants, and keeps control. I don't blame him either. I've been up there hunting and witnessed some serious hardware being launched into orbit. If I was responsible for all that, I'd want control too.

The other drawback with hunting on military bases is the double jeopardy. If something happens (i.e. accidently shot a spike) you fall under federal game laws and then the state gets a whack at you. There are advantages and drawbacks. Incredible amount of rules to follow, much more than state law.

 

[myfriendis410]

Some of the restrictions may have something to do with the resource. VAFB is a large piece of real estate and they are finding creative ways to authorize more hunters and still maintain some control. Hunter numbers are dwindling so there is a larger pool to draw from. Pendleton (which I've never been on) appears to be a more limited resource and as such may only be able to support a more limited number of hunters. I'm just guessing here. I've heard some things about their program that make hunting somewhat difficult i.e. hunting until 5 p.m. during deer season 'cause they can't stay open late etc.

I know it's a long drive up here but if you are authorized, come on up and hunt it. I for one would be pleased to see you up here.

Ten years ago there would be a line at check-in on opening day. Now; less than 25 hunters were here for the opener. Numbers have fallen way off in recent years. Some of it due to the cycle of deployments but other reasons include an aging population of hunters. We are seeing less and less of young hunters up here and it's kind of sad. Good in a way for us who hunt here 'cause we aren't usually bumping elbows with each other.