Wild Pig Regulations in California

[KonoctisWigwam]

I have been trying to contact the CDFW, which is nearly impossible, but sent an email to the Ukiah office a couple days ago.

I had a few questions about hunting wild pig in California, and maybe someone here can help me.

1) Since pig are year round, unlimited tags, either sex, it seems ideal. I was looking for clarification when a rifle is allowed to be used. I'm guessing that the archery season, July-August, that rifles are not allowed to be used to take pig. Is this so???

2) If a pig is on private property and you have consent of the owner, can you hunt with a rifle all year long?

3) I saw somewhere in the regulations that a private property owner can request tags for predators, such as pig and mountain lion. I have a lead on a piece of private land which has such a problem, and I'd like to work a deal with the owner to hunt his land for both if he provides the tags. If a private land owner gets these tags, can they be used all year long with rifle, or would archery season effect private land also???

For extra credit, if anyone can provide any information on the coastal area of NorCal, feel free to hollar. I am currently willing to drive to SLO and up to the top of A zone, basically the entire length of A zone (which is huge). I prefer to stay at the coast where it is cooler and where the opportunities look more promising.

Alan

 

[Trapline]

So pigs are open all year round, you can use your rifle the entire time, you just need to check state and county firearms laws to make sure you are legally allowed to use a particular firearm in a particular area. Every county/city sets their own rules as to how far outside limits you have to be or not be. If you know a private land owner all they need to do is give you written permission to hunt their land, but you still mist abide by the local firearm laws for the area, even if on private. You can buy your tag online or at a sporting goods store. You Can also hunt them on public land, national forests, BLM, etc. until your heart is content. Hope that helps, get out there and start scouting, post him up when you kill him.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

Ok, this is making more sense now...I think I can buy my own pig tags, just have the land owner pull tags for the mountain lion(s) and go hunt pig and if I see a mountain lion, take it.

I've been told he's out of city limits. I need to talk to my contractor, it's his friend. He has 44 acres himself, just outside of city limits and has deer coming onto his property, so that's a possibility for deer during season.

This friend he told me about has 660 acres and currently has mountain lions eating his livestock and pigs destroying his crops, rooting them up.

I just put together an 8.6 blackout to use for pig. It should be legal in most counties, AFAIK, and we can even hunt with 223 if we want, so I'm told. I personally wouldn't hunt with 223 unless it was varmints. I have a 308 setup for hunting which I could use if I want.

I can say with confidence that Lake County is much more 2A friendly than Santa Clara...

Alan

 

[nickman123]

You're conflating the pigs with the mountain lions. Pigs on private land are easy. Get tag, get permission from landowner, check local regs, then shoot pigs.
Mountain lions are a different story. Private landowner has to get special "depredation permits" for that. Pretty sure he has to apply to DFW for them and demonstrate that the mountain lions are doing him some sort of unusual harm. Generally, it means show that they are killing his domesticated animals on that private land. Don't know how difficult or long the process is.

 

[#1Predator]

True. Depredation tags can be issued to private property owners for pigs, lions, bears, deer, etc. BUT the property owner must show damage or the threat of damage (i.e. pictures, security camera footage, etc. documenting the damage or threat of damage). If a permit is issued, various restrictions can be applied such as: 1)weapons (long gun, handgun, archery, etc.); 2) type of ammunition (if firearms are authorized); 3) area where the permit can be used; 4) time of day the permit can be used; 5) persons authorized to use the permit; 6) number of days the permit is active (all permits have an end date); 7) disposition of the carcass ( several options here - A) carcass must be turned over to the DFW, B) owner will dispose of, i.e. bury, the carcass - proof required, C) owner can "utilize", i.e. use the meat, from the carcass - usually applies to pigs and nothing else.)

Lions MUST be turned over to the DFW for necropsy (animal autopsy). Depredation permits are very restrictive to avoid any incentive to abuse the process. FYI - property owners that agree to the restrictions and sign the permit document give up their 4th Amendment rights regarding search and seizure of their property. Wardens may enter the property at any time to conduct a search and/or seize property without a search warrant for as long as the permit is active.

 

[#1Predator]

FYI - you can buy as many pig tags as you want this year. Next year, starting on July 1st, 2024, you can buy a pig validation (similar to an upland game validation) on your license. No more pig tags. The validation will be good for an unlimited number of pigs.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

You're conflating the pigs with the mountain lions. Pigs on private land are easy. Get tag, get permission from landowner, check local regs, then shoot pigs.

Yes, I was partially, not on purpose...but what some else told me. This should settle it, I can get the land owner to request a mountain lion permit(s) and buy pig tags of my own, I don't mind paying for them as they're cheap.

Mountain lions are a different story. Private landowner has to get special "depredation permits" for that. Pretty sure he has to apply to DFW for them and demonstrate that the mountain lions are doing him some sort of unusual harm. Generally, it means show that they are killing his domesticated animals on that private land. Don't know how difficult or long the process is.

I believe he can show that, but I do not know. My contractor that is building my shop knows him, so I will check into this more, but I believe he was losing some cattle. The pigs were rooting up some of his crops also, but that's what I'm mostly interested in. Sounds like they do not allow you to keep the mountain lion, so where's the reward there??? I'll shoot one if I see it though.

Alan

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

FYI - you can buy as many pig tags as you want this year. Next year, starting on July 1st, 2024, you can buy a pig validation (similar to an upland game validation) on your license. No more pig tags. The validation will be good for an unlimited number of pigs.

Yeah, I mixed that up with this year, but CDFW set me straight...Evidently Newsom signed a bill that will only cost us $25/year for a pig tag, unlimited so you can just call them in or do it online. I read it was for 2024, so thought it was for 2023/2024, it's actually for 2024/2025 as you point out.

I think wild pig is one of the best deals going, although they're pretty nasty animals, the meat sure is tasty.

Alan

 

[nickman123]

Will they let you keep the cat you shoot???? You're in Commifornia bro. They won't even let you bring into the state any part of a mountain lion you legally harvested in another state.

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

Will they let you keep the cat you shoot???? You're in Commifornia bro. They won't even let you bring into the state any part of a mountain lion you legally harvested in another state.

This is getting really bad here. Coyote Valley is under attack for protected species of a butterfly, the state rock, rats, and a flower. Metcalf in South San Jose is also under attach for similar. More and more it's looking like I need to make like a sheep and get the flock outta here...

California is one of 2 states to protect fishing but not hunting.

Alan