Wild Pig Hunting Schedule Camp Roberts - Summer/Fall 2009

The summer heat is upon us. Generally not a good time to engage in hunting boar in California. It is too hot for humans and wild pigs alike.

The animals are stressed from the heat. They spend most of the daytime resting in beds and wallows, preferably in the heaviest thickets and cool, moist places that are most difficult to access. Now more than ever, they are most active only at night.

Hunters who can not wait for cooler weather for fear that we might run out of wild pigs on public land or who have some arcane, secret knowledge not known to most of us, might want to hunt even in summer.

For years, Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts have been the best places to look for boar on public land.

While Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL) is open for hunting all year long (with a few closures for special military training), Camp Roberts allows hunting only at scheduled times and for certain game.

They just held a July archery only hunt for deer and wild pigs. Though we already reported on their hunt schedule for 2009, here is a reminder for the upcoming wild pig hunts at Camp Roberts.

“Junior Hunt:

AUG 15 - 16: A special junior (under age 16) hunt for buck deer, pig, and rabbit. Hours 4:30 am to 9:30 pm. Junior hunters must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult chaperon, 18 years of age or older, while hunting.

Big Game Hunt:

AUG 29 - SEPT 7: Hunting for buck deer, pig, and rabbit. Hours are 4:30 am to 9:30 pm. Opening day (AUG 29) for deer and pig hunting is by reservation only. After opening day, big game hunters will be allowed on a first-come-first-served basis. To request an opening day reservation form, send a self addressed stamped envelope to the address listed below or visit the website. Reservation forms must be received by JULY 1 to be considered for the drawing. Advance hunting permits for Aug 29 may be purchased at the check station from 1:00 to 8:00 pm on AUG 28.

October Hunt:

OCT 17-18 for quail, waterfowl, pig, and rabbit. (Hunters with A-24 archery deer tags for Monterey County may also hunt in Areas 5, 6, and 7) Hours 5:30 am to 7:30 pm.

November Hunt:

NOV 14-15 for pig only. Hours 5:30 am to 6:00 pm.

NOV 21-22 for turkey, quail, waterfowl, dove, pig, and rabbit. Hours 5:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Holiday Hunt:

DEC 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 and DEC 27-31 for rabbit, pig, quail, waterfowl, pigeon, and dove (Please check California State regulations for season dates for allowable game species). Hours are 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.”

For the full hunting schedule for Camp Roberts, please go to their website at http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/ and then to 'Fishing and Hunting'.

General information and numerous links to additional topics are available at http://www.calguard.ca.gov/CpRbts/Pages/HuntFish.aspx.

It is wise to call their taped info line at (805) 238-8167 for up-to-date information on closures and other pertinent facts . Also please note that lead-free ammunition is required at Camp Roberts.

Fort Hunter Ligget and Camp Roberts are both located in the part of California that, according to returned pig tags, produces year after year some of the highest wild pig harvests.

PJJ

Waterfowl Hunting Clinic 2009

Hunting wild pigs is widely considered as an extremely exciting and potentially dangerous activity. Nevertheless, it can be slow and outright boring at times when boar decide to sabotage the hunt by staying out of sight for days on end.

It is on these occasions that I think back fondly on my (admittedly) few waterfowl hunts on properties leased by Wilderness Unlimited. When the birds are flying, the action is fast and furious. It is condensed into a few precious minutes of exhilarating action. When the hunting fields erupt into sounds of a battlefield, dogs are splashing in the water barking and retrieving downed birds hunters, hunters bellow yells of delight life is lived and enjoyed to the fullest.

You can learn how to hunt waterfowl or improve your hunting skills by attending the upcoming Waterfowl Hunting Clinic on August 15, 2009 at the Wilderness Unlimited RV Park in Williams.

A press release from the Department of Fish and Game gives the details as follows:

Two experienced instructors, Assistant Chief Mike Carion and Warden Aaron Freitas, will lead this clinic, which is part of DFG’s Advanced Hunter Education program. Students will learn about decoy placement, blind design, ballistics, calling, duck identification, K-9 considerations, gear and garb, game care and cleaning, cooking tips and safety. All skill levels are welcome to attend.

The clinic will be held at the Wilderness Unlimited RV Park in Williams from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $40 for adults; children 16 years and younger are free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Participants can register online at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced or request a registration form by mail by calling (916) 358-4356. Once registered, participants will be provided with a workshop agenda, a map to the facility and a list of items to bring.

For more information about this clinic or other Advanced Hunter Education clinics, contact Lieutenant Dan Lehman at the number above or by e-mail at dlehman@dfg.ca.gov.

I would attend the clinic if I lived closer to Colusa County. Wing shooting is fun!

PJJ

Wild Pig Hunting Clinic At Tejon Ranch

The annual Wild Pig Hunting Clinic for 2009 at the Tejon Ranch will be held on August1, 2009. This clinic is associated with the Department of Fish and Game's Advanced Hunter Education program and “is jointly sponsored by the Pacific Coast Hunter Education Association and Tejon Ranch. Experienced instructors will address pig biology, hunting techniques and requirements, methods for locating wild pigs, locations to hunt, actual field dressing and care of game. The clinic is appropriate for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.”

It will start at 09:00 and end at or around 17:00. It costs $ 40.00 per adult. Junior hunters age 16 or younger are free but need to be accompanied by an adult. A wild pig BBQ lunch can be purchased for about $ 10.00. They will also raffle off numerous prices, including the pig used for the demonstrations.

Details are on the DFG website at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced, by calling (916) 358-4356 or by e-mail from dlehman@dfg.ca.gov.

PJJ

Boar Hunting Singles in Santa Monica, CA

Now you can meet all 2,459 of them.

Yes, you read right. There are purportedly 2,459 singles in and around Santa Monica, California, who are dying to go boar hunting with you. There are also 2,459 wild boar hunting singles in Greater Los Angeles. That is amazing!

Most hunters I know, including myself and my sons, can elicit from wives and girlfriends only very mild 'interest' in hunting. Women are not enthralled by men who 'murder Bambi', butcher 'Miss Piggy' and blow cuddly 'Roger Rabbit' to smithereens, it seems. Ask Kermit the Frog!

Seriously, women who hunt are the exception. But at least one website for singles is betting against me.

“Meet local singles who love Hunting!”, declares their headline.

Followed immediately by a short list of “Today's Special Free Trial Offer for Hunters”.

Among others, “No credit card required to join.”

Vow! No credit card? You cannot beat that.

Oh yes, you can.

Which manly hunter could ever resist the allure of these huntresses? Even Artemis and Diana would turn green with envy – and convert them into tree stumps or something unattractive like that.

The huntress on the right is recommended only for advanced, experienced, fearless hunters who can keep up with her hunting prowess. Look at all the trophies she has collected in one day's hunt! Impressive and intimidating. She even brought her waders – just in case her prey decides to graze in the middle of a shallow river.

On the other hand, the girl on the left obviously relies on the dazzle effect for camouflage. Imagine the stupefied look on the face of the grizzled wild boar when he first spots this exciting adversary! Just long enough for the huntress to place a well aimed arrow into him. It serves him right for letting his lecherous ego get in the way of survival.

But wait! What is sticking out of her left back pocket? Could that be a cattle prod?

If her arrow misses, does she use it to zap the boar into submission. That is more humane than to stick the poor pig unceremoniously with a knife. Right? Or is it meant to keep overeager two legged boar hunters at bay?

How many red blooded boar hunters really could resist giving the huntress some pointers on the correct body stance when drawing a bow? Followed by a hands on demonstration of finer, secret points that transform an average archer into an expert? Come on, be honest!

Single boar hunters everywhere, unite and visit this website before all 2, 459 single huntresses have found their match. If you have an 'interested party' or potential significant other lurking in the shadows, beware of prying eyes! The slightest glimpse of one of these huntresses will get you barred forever from ever, ever going hunting again; or getting close to bow, arrow and quiver; or close to firearms. Or to the great outdoors haunted by Artemis and her cohorts.

Unless, of course, you as an experienced hunter attract and then promote one of the single huntresses to best hunting buddy. Good luck!

PJJ

(Source: singlesnet.com)

Another Boar Hunt Texas Style

Reasonably priced – if you live close enough.

Well priced boar hunts are hard to find despite the glut of wild pigs in many States. Hunting boar is big business. Prices for wild pig hunts reflect that.

Do not misunderstand me: I am not against landowners charging access fees. If I were one, I would do so as well. Any landowner who cares for the environment on his property and for his land, will have to control access to his ranch. Would you want hordes of hunters descend on your property, throw trash everywhere, recklessly drive 4x4s over meadows and farm land, disturb your livestock or worse kill some of it. A minority of hunters tend to show great disrespect for nature and man's property rights.

But I am digressing. Fact is that it is becoming ever harder to gain access to private land without engaging the services of a outfitter or guide service. Though they deserve to be compensated for their work, their very existence also drives access fees and prices for wild pig hunts way up.

Not so on this Texan ranch. Happened to find them on the Net.

Texas Boars and Kansas Bucks (Kansas) hunts wild pigs 10 miles south of Pleasanton, near the small town of Christine, about 45 minutes south of San Antonio. Boar hunts take place over baited areas and from blinds. Stalking is not allowed. Hunting at night is.

Their basic wild pig package comprises a two day unguided hunt and lodging. Hunters must provide their own transportation and other necessities. After a brief introduction to the ranch and an orientation given by the 'guide', the hunter is directed to assigned blinds for the duration of the hunt.

The price for this 'basic wild pig hunt' is a measly $ 300.00 for the two days. Extra days are $ 100.00 each. Skinning and quartering are available for $ 25.00.

Texas Boars also provides guided hunts that include hunting, lodging, game cleaning, and transportation while hunting. Guided hunts will set you back $ 450.00 for two days.

Not bad either – provided a hunter lives reasonably close to Pleasanton, Texas. Otherwise, it may not be such a great deal when you add the cost of transportation to the price for the hunt.

PJJ

New Zealand Monster Boar - A Comment

Native commented on my story about the mysterious, vicious monster boar from New Zealand. I admit that the story amused me.

Yet, after reading the comment I must say that I have seen several smallish boar act most aggressively when bayed by dogs. My first boar was of that nature.

Hunters, especially beginners, can always learn from the careful observation and experiences of an experienced hunter. Therefore, I am reprinting the comment to my article right here. You can also find it among the comments at the end of the original post together with my own remarks.

Quoting Native:
". . .Some of the most dangerous and damaging Boars to my dogs, as well as myself were in that same weight class.

Big sharp teeth and lightning fast capability to do a 360 degree turn and cut everything in its circular path, facilitated by light weight agility......

Well, lets just say that the stitches and stapling on all of us, would be in high gear when we encountered such a boar.

Hats off to the New Zealand brothers ;-)'"

PJJ

Monster Boar Harvested In New Zealand

A wily and elusive Ninja boar finally met its demise near the Te Mai Station at Tinui, New Zealand reports the Wairarapa Times-Age in its July 14, 2009 edition at the hands of four local hunters. The boar was a well known 'celebrity' for its capability to damage crops and dogs and then to disappear mysteriously as suddenly as it had appeared. His ability of 'staying under the radar' made him part of the folklore of the Te Mai Station. It also earned him respect.

The boar had eluded local hunters for about 9 years. Among them were the Perry and Meredith brothers. They had spotted and stalked him many times before without success. Every time the boar “sort of just vanished on us”, said one of the brothers.

"Most pigs who get that old have had their ears chewed or stripped - he's had little damage, which mean he's a runner and knows how to escape and kill dogs using his tusks," Mr Perry said.

The boar's luck ran out when the Perry and Meredith brothers caught up with him at 09:30 in the morning after only one hour of hunting.

“. . .This ninja quality is, according to Mr Perry, one of the traits that have made the Trig Boar such a worthy quarry; "old pigs are shrewd, this time we went there and there was quite a lot of rooting about half a mile from where we caught him on about 20 acres of hillside on a patch of gorse about 20 metres in diameter where the dogs dived in".

(Story and picture courtesy of the WairarapaTimes-Age)

The wily old monster ninja boar now is at the butcher's being worked into sausages and patties.

All 48 kilograms of him!

That's a monstrous 106 pounds!

Woooohhhhhhhhoooooooooo.

PJJ