SoCal Hunters

[mtxpro752]

Ok guys and gals, I am picking up a new .308 rifle in the next month or so.

Who is a hunter on O.com. We should get an O.com Officers hog hunt going.
Anyone up for it. I know we have some shooters around this area.

Anyone interested in let me know, maybe June or sooner.

[soopertrooper]

if im in cali i will be in, if you come to florida give me a shout, i have a hog removal business down here :D

[Berlioz]

Ive never hunted before, but I have a 308 and theres now time like the present to learn!:cool:

[FJDave]

I am like Berlioz...never hunted, but would like to go with other coppers. I'll use the new Mini-30 (7.62x39). I think we would have to take a hunter safety course before we could get our license though, Berli...

[pulicords]

Sounds like fun. I love hunting pigs, especially at Tejon Ranch. Costs a few bucks, but lots of hogs to choose from and the drives not bad!

BTW: Those w/o a hunting license are going to need to take the mandated hunters' safety course before they'll be able to obtain one. DFG's website should list some locations for the class. They're held pretty regularly at Oaktree Gunclub in Newhall.

[AWarr]

So, I have a .308 rife and a shotty...
Ive never been hunting and Id LOVE to go.

Already have much hunting license as I've been waiting patiently for someone with huntin experience.

Where to people usually go to hunt porky, and how much does it typically cost?
Also, beside my .308, what kind of gear is needed to put the bacon on the table?

[pulicords]

Most real good wild pig hunting in So. CA is located on private property (good water/food supply=lots of pigs). Hunts on public land and military reservations offer very little chance of getting one and if you do, you'll need to do a lot of walking.

Hunts usually cost between $500 & $1,000.00 (guided), with most of the cheaper outfits charging additional "fees" for each pig taken. Tejon Ranch charges about $1,000.00 and that includes the cost of the guide, a nice ranch house to stay in (two nights), food and no additional "trophy fees" for a big pig. Other outfitters are located from Paso Robles, North through San Luis Obisbo and Monterey Counties. This is probably the best source for info about hunting pigs in CA: http://www.outdoornewsservice.com/hogs/hog%20index.html

You need to use "green" (lead free) ammo now and in addition to a hunting license, pig tags are also necessary. Ammunition using "Barnes X-bullets" (such as Federal) is pretty easy to come by. A good set of binoculars is a necessity, along with a game bag, good skinning knife and a big cooler helps if you have a long drive.

If/when you shoot your pig, the guide service will usually just "field dress" it. Once skinned, you'll need to take it to a butcher shop to be cut and wrapped. The one near me charges around $75.00 and I get about 40% return from the gross weight of the hog. They're real good eating, but you'll need some freezer space. A refrigerator/freezer won't give you enough room.

[mtxpro752]

I'm also a never hunted before guy but it sounds like it could be a really fun trip with a descent group of coppers.

Puli seems to be an expert too, lets give it a bit to see how much more interest people have in going and then we'll get everyone set up with a hunting license that needs one and get this thing going!

[08duramax]

this sounds like a good reason to buy a new gun. is it 500-1000 per person or for the whole party to hunt? i am in orange county and san luis obispo county on a weekly basis so i am up for where ever.

[pulicords]

That's per hunter. Check out the website. They have a good list of guides in the state. Some are very well know and have good reputations. Others, not so much.

[417Lt]

I gave two pig depredation permits last December to property owners south of the 138. There are some Tejon escapees that are trying life on public land. I'm just saying that there are possibilities. Not the royal treatment and sure thing like Tejon but not $1000 either.
I apologize for doing this but as soon as I submit this post I'm walking out the door for a long weekend of desert motorcycle racing. Gotta hit the road before the wind gets any worse. Puli may have my cell #.

[FJDave]

Have a great time, Lt! When ya get back, maybe you can give us first time hunters some tips. Enjoy your weekend, and stay safe!!

[pulicords]

I gave two pig depredation permits last December to property owners south of the 138. There are some Tejon escapees that are trying life on public land. I'm just saying that there are possibilities. Not the royal treatment and sure thing like Tejon but not $1000 either.
I apologize for doing this but as soon as I submit this post I'm walking out the door for a long weekend of desert motorcycle racing. Gotta hit the road before the wind gets any worse. Puli may have my cell #.

Thanks for the info 417Lt! We'll check out the option. Enjoy your weekend!

[jgorto]

no offense but hunting on a ranch that is stocked or hunting w/ a guide is not a real hunting experience. Drive up to the tuolomne county area I deer hunted there as a kid lots of deer and many acres of woods and state forest.

[pulicords]

no offense but hunting on a ranch that is stocked or hunting w/ a guide is not a real hunting experience. Drive up to the tuolomne county area I deer hunted there as a kid lots of deer and many acres of woods and state forest.

You must have been out of CA for a few years! Wild pigs are found throughout the state on public and private property. They are as wild as any deer are and neither the 240,000+ acres of Tejon Ranch nor most of the other properties where they are found are fenced. One isn't restricted by seasons or bag limits on pigs (you just need a license and tags) and you don't need to worry about your tag application not being drawn (as you would for deer).

Hunting state forest lands in So. CA isn't particularly safe (due to the extremely large numbers of inexperienced hunters in a comparatively small area). Also, an 8-10 hour drive to Northern CA provides nothing more of an "experience", except perhaps that of encroaching on someone's hidden marijuana plantation and dealing with "security" at the site. In either case, hunting on private property isn't a bad idea.

[jgorto]

oh i didnt know about the pigs running wild, its funny you mentioned the marijuana growers, as a kid a found a bunch of plants while hiking w/ my german shepherd i ran like hell and told my parents but i dont know if the local cops ever found anything further.

[willowdared]

http://www.delargy.com/images/2005_8_Honduras/pig_roast.JPG

[FJDave]

That's one HAPPY looking pig!!

[Retired96]

I bet it took a day or two to BBQ that pig....