Vandenberg AFB

[ManCalledHorse]

Thanks myfriendis410. I have noticed that too about not to many younger hunters. I run into a lot of people my age and younger (36 and under), who are now vegitarians or think hunting is cruel. I think hunting is more humane than what meat animals go through (saw some videos). A least our animals had a good life, in open range and probably did not know what hit them. Even DFG said in one of their manuals, that hunters are considered as part of the natural cycle of life!

I want to go hunting with my son at VAFB. Sounds like lots of fun!

 

[scottmarine]

Well this last weekend was eventful. I seen my first pig. It was a rush. I couldn't get a shot, I found lots of pig sign there though. Does anyone know if I can put up trail cams? I read the regs and couldn't find anything about it.

 

[ltdann]

I've put 'em up for deer before....not that its really necessary. More curious than anything. I'd probably lock em up.

What area did you see the pig?

 

[scottmarine]

In C-3 I think. I dont have the map and I am new so I dont remember the zones. It was the one with the 2 big round white balls w/ that secured compound on top. And where north star training area is. I walked a lot. I am new to pig hunting, and the place we seen the pig is the only place that we found could find sign that I knew for sure was sign. This is my 2nd time (once with a pregnant wife, so it was mainly a joy ride, and look around) but this time me and a buddy came up from Pendleton and walked all over that zone looking for pigs. That is the only area we found. Hopefully I can make it back there a few more times before my deployment comes up so I can get one.

 

[ltdann]

Yep, thats C-3. Tons of pigs all over there. I was up over MLK weekend and saw around 20 hogs all over that area. So hogs every time we went out.

What we do is find a high spot with a good view and glass. When we see them, then we work a plan. Sometimes we just can't get to them a) before they disappear, b) or the terrain is such that I wouldn't want to shoot them there anyway.

Was the grass getting high already?

 

[myfriendis410]

The range is in terrible shape. We have had less than 2 inches of rain total for the season and still nothing. The grass is maybe 4 inches high. C1 has some tall mustard which is making it difficult for us to see anything in there.

We saw a really big boy two nights ago; got to 170 yards and got buggered by quail just as we were setting up. He was a +200 boar with nice cutters. I sat on him from 400 yards with a spotting scope while my hunting partner and the kid we're taking out got in for the shot. Too bad, but we'll get him. Other than that it's been pretty slow. I don't know of any hogs killed over the President's Day weekend, despite several parties up here hunting. C3 has been pretty dead lately.

We need rain!

My hunting is going to come to a screeching halt next week as we take possession of a new house my wife and I purchased. We're only moving about 50 yards so can't justify renting a moving van; we're gonna do it piecemeal.

 

[Huntr Pat]

congrats on the new house!

 

[ltdann]

Didn't you get rain last night? It poured all day and all night down here.

 

[CaliJeephuntr]

You mean that wind spray off the ocean? It barely even got the ground wet on base... at least main base. I'm beginning to think the rain gods are laughing at us.

 

[ltdann]

Really? My backyard was awash....the chickens were doing the back stroke and you guys didn't get any of that?

 

[myfriendis410]

Didn't you get rain last night? It poured all day and all night down here.

It was pathetic. Maybe even less than Nick alluded to above. We are hurting.

 

[Live2hunt]

Forecasted 60% chance of rain in Santa Barbara tomorrow and 30% chance Thu. Be prepared to get wash.

 

[CaliJeephuntr]

Forecasted 60% chance of rain in Santa Barbara tomorrow and 30% chance Thu. Be prepared to get wash.

Just read that we might get .10 to .25 inches of rain for our area. But I won't believe it until it happens.

 

[CaliJeephuntr]

Really? My backyard was awash....the chickens were doing the back stroke and you guys didn't get any of that?

So you're going to have some lean chickens then? Won't be much meat on them legs.

 

[ltdann]

So you're going to have some lean chickens then? Won't be much meat on them legs.

LOL, I missed that opportunity when they turned 6 months. When they start laying, they're pretty much finished as table fare. There's a reason that ole grandma used to fix chicken and dumplings, with the chicken being cooked in the pressure cooker, because those old laying hens are TOUGH.

The chickens you get at the store, all plump and nice? They're about 6 months old and raised to fatten 'em up.

 

[ltdann]

By the way, i'll be watching the weather closely. I'll be up 15-18 March to try my luck again.

 

[Trkyhntr3]

Dan, 8" of snow in Jullian yest. Kathy and I ran up last night.. 40 bucks in gas to throw snowballs at each other for 15 minutes....

Somebody tell me about Vortex binoculars...I'm not having any luck with the Zen-Rays... Andy, what do you know...

 

[asaxon]

AS for VAFB, I'm scurrying around to move my schedule so I can go up there on 3/15-18 with Ltdann. His wife wants someone to go with him to be sure he doesn't trip and hurt himself...

TKH3: You can get the Zen Rays like I have (originals 8x43) for just under 300 @ http://swfa.com/Zen-Ray-Zen-ED-Binoculars-C3454.aspx They also have the newer ED2 for $330 in 8x43. I don't know about 10x42 but I prefer the 8x43. Easier to hold steady and much bigger field of view.

Vortex has a good name in binos (better than scopes) and have models across the board in $. Their 10x42 Diamond backs get good reviews and is about 230. Even the $150 Cross fire looks good from the reviews. Vortex does have a good warrently program. Yeah, I know they won't be perfect round the edges but neither am I.

 

[ltdann]

Jim,

Vortex was what Chuck went with instead of the Swaro's. I think his were the Kaibab HD 15x56 for around $1500. They're pretty damn good. I suspect they'll give Leica, Swaroski and Zeiss a run for thier money.

http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/binoculars

I wouldn't go below 10x and less than 42mm, whatever you choose.

 

[Huntr Pat]

We got soaked here in Gilroy.