Vandenberg AFB

[CaliDuckPro]

I've heard that the pig hunting on Vandenberg can be pretty good. I was wondering if it's good enough to be worth a drive from Nor Cal. Also, if you have to make arrangements ahead of time, or if you can just show up the day prior, or day of, and get in? Is it open all year long? Any info will help, considering I know nothing about it. Yes, I am active military, so gaining access will not be a problem.

CDP

I feel like a total jackass, having posted that before running a search and finding a couple things posted just hours ago about it. My bad!

still.. any info will still be appreciated

 

[pbrdog]

What specifically do you want to know? I can fill you in on about any info you want.

 

[CaliDuckPro]

pbrdog-

just looking for some basic info. I live in Sacramento, when I'm in the states. I'll be home in June, and I'm just looking around for some places to go, and it seems like the military installations are the best bet, as far as public land goes. I was looking on the VAFB website.. It said family member of active duty would be permitted if accompanied by active duty member. I know the military doesn't use the term "family member" loosely, and they often refer to a family member as just your spouse or child. Would I be able to bring my father? He's prior military, but he didn't retire from the military.. he was honorably discharged. How is the hunting in the month of June? Is it a pain in the butt at all?? I've never hunted on a military installation, but I can only imagine that they have very strict rules and regulations, and being an MP, I know that they WILL enforce ANY violation, no matter how minor it may be.

Just any info at all would be useful. I'm just about 3 months out, before I come home on leave and I'm trying to get something together ahead of time.

 

[pbrdog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaliDuckPro @ Feb 23 2006, 07:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

pbrdog-

just looking for some basic info. I live in Sacramento, when I'm in the states. I'll be home in June, and I'm just looking around for some places to go, and it seems like the military installations are the best bet, as far as public land goes. I was looking on the VAFB website.. It said family member of active duty would be permitted if accompanied by active duty member. I know the military doesn't use the term "family member" loosely, and they often refer to a family member as just your spouse or child. Would I be able to bring my father? He's prior military, but he didn't retire from the military.. he was honorably discharged. How is the hunting in the month of June? Is it a pain in the butt at all?? I've never hunted on a military installation, but I can only imagine that they have very strict rules and regulations, and being an MP, I know that they WILL enforce ANY violation, no matter how minor it may be.

Just any info at all would be useful. I'm just about 3 months out, before I come home on leave and I'm trying to get something together ahead of time.[/b]

As far as being a family member, yeah, it means spouse or dependent with ID card. You may want to call the DFG at VAFB and ask about the guest (your father). I have the number at home. If you need it, just drop me a PM or email. I've heard that you can bring a guest now for like 2 days. When you get there, you'll need to go to the base PX and get a base stamp for pigs, deer, or small game that they will affix to the back of your license. The cost is $15 for the pig and same for the deer. The small game/upland is $13.50 I believe. These stamps are good for the current license year and don't need to be renewed until July 1st. After the PX, you need to go to the DFG office and get your DD216. It's a permit to hunt on base. The game wardens will give you a package with the base rules, which are pretty general, just don't break any rules. The DD216 is good for 30 days. You can turn it in when you leave, or mail it back to them. Just make sure you return it within the 30 days. They get a little funny about that. They will also give you a 4 or 5 page map of the base that shows all areas and what you are permitted to hunt with (shotgun slugs, rifle, or archery). There are no handguns or rimfire rifles allowed on base. Odd, because you are allowed to plink ground squirrels in authorized areas. The ground just moves with the critters. In June, the hunting is as good as the rest of the year, but there are alot of rattlesnakes out then. You may want to consider getting a set of gaiters. The wood ticks are terrible too around the wet areas. There are 3 campsites there. One is the famcamp where there are showers, a recroom, etc. The other 2 are primitive. One has a nice restroom with flush toilets. There is running water at each campsite also. The other primitive is by a pond and has no running water. There is a portapotty there. I think the snakes and mosquitos would be kind of bad in June to camp there. I bring my dog with me when I go, so that's the only concern about the snakes I have. He's been through the snake avoidance class a couple times and is vaccinated against them, but I still don't want him bit. You can use dogs on the base for hunting. My dog doesn't hunt pigs, he just hangs with me. There is also a BEQ that you can make reservations for. They are $27 a night I think. They're not too bad either, but this is an AFB, so go figure. You're not suppose to bring your guns in the BEQ though. I guess you're suppose to leave them in the vehicle. It's sort of a grey zone. I hope I answered most of your questions. VAFB is a great place to hunt. It's like our own private hunting club. It's a huge base too. Good luck and good hunting.
Joel & Luke

 

[scr83jp]

The base is open to active and retired military and base civilian employees not honorably discharged service personnel so he couldn't get access via his fathers honorable discharge .I'm a vet but not eligible for base access.

 

[New Pig Hunter]

as best I understand it, one must have a Military ID card to hunt:
-- active duty
-- active reserve
-- retired
-- No guests. No family members.

With that said, I'd recommend calling the VAFB DFG office and asking the question of them.... they are the ones with the power of "yes" and "no"

As for hunting, I've only one time chatted with a DFG fellow in the field. Otherwise I've never seen 'em.

Season is year-round, show up the day you want start hunting.... BUT .....
(1st) the Main Exchange must be open so you can get their base hunting sticker..... AND .....
(2nd) the DFG office must be open so you can get their paperwork. Plan arrival time accordingly.

Cheers,

Carl

 

[CaliDuckPro]

Wow.. thanks a lot fellas! That summed it up pretty well. Much appreciated.