Upland Game Hunting Clinics September 2009

Paraphrasing a well-known statement about summer heat, Englishmen and animals, we could say that only diehard and intrepid hunters go wild pig hunting during summer heat waves. For the rest of us, here is a good way to prepare for better conditions and more pleasant boar hunts: Take an Upland Game Hunting Clinic.

The California Department of Fish and Game offers through its Advanced Hunter Education program and in conjunction with Wilderness Unlimited and Quail Unlimited two upland game hunting clinics on September 26, 2009.

One is held at the Wilderness Unlimited Property in Williams and the other at Peace Valley near Lebec in Southern California, one hour north of Los Angeles. Both clinics run from 09:00 to about 17:00 and cost $ 40.00. Junior hunters under 16 are free as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

“The clinics include information on hunting quail, chukar and pheasant. Topics covered include hunting regulations, huntable lands, proper types of firearms and ammunition used for upland game hunting, proper clothing, habits and habitats of upland game, hunting alone vs. hunting with others, hunting with or without a dog and dog demonstrations. Other topics include field first-aid for hunters and dogs, hunter responsibilities and ethics, game care and cooking. All skill levels are welcome to attend.”

Though upland game is a far shot from hunting wild pigs, the topics of first aid for hunters and dogs as well as the section in hunting with a dog or dogs should be of value to boar hunters as well. After all, it does not make much of a difference to your dog whether it is bitten by a rattler during a wild pig hunt or while pursuing upland game.

You can register at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/advanced or by calling (916) 358-4356. Once registered you will receive detailed information on the clinics.

PJJ

Blessings of Canned Hunting: Hunting Ranches Can Preserve Wildlife!

Woooohooooooo!

Private game ranches, hunting preserves, high fence game ranches that practice “canned hunting” are to fervent environmentalists what witches, warlocks, incubi and succubi, black cats, demons and their assorted cohorts were to the inquisition in the late Middle Ages.

In their quasi-religious fervor to protect animals from exploitation by scrupulous humans who engage in unfettered commercialism on the backs of defenseless wildlife, the most radical self-appointed protectors of animals value wildlife as high as human life.

Hunters are the favorite target of those groups; particularly hunters who hunt 'tame, pen-raised game' on high fence ranches designed to trap the animals inside to face merciless extermination. Hunters patronizing these ranches are ruthless killers who slaughter Bambi for sadistic fun. On the other hand, ranch owners are accused of torturing their animals for profit and profit alone.

Not so fast, argues Robert J. Smith in an article published in the Cato Journal (Vol.1, No. 2). In his well-reasoned, insightful and well documented article Resolving the Tragedy Of The Commons By Creating Private Property Rights In Wildlife the author explores the influence of human actions, weapons technology, societal. commercial and legal factors on the disappearance of animal species from prehistoric times to the present.

Smith points out the many, often diverging interests of the conglomerate of environmentalist groups and the one glue that binds them all together: Wildlife conservation and preservation.

“Even here there is a wide and growing chasm among organizations. The more "conservative" groups are interested in wildlife management, such as increasing the numbers of commonly hunted species of fish and game. The "middle-of-the-roaders" are interested in developing sustained-yield management programs for species where it is clear that wise management and international cooperation can achieve better results than ending all harvesting. The "liberals" push for an end to the exploitation of most species and a complete ban on all trade in most threatened wildlife. Finally, there are the animal rights groups, the "radicals," who value the rights of animals to life and liberty at least as highly as human rights.”

Though most hunters can easily identify with the 'conservative' groups, few will most likely follow the 'liberals' and none the 'radicals'.

Just as 'Wildlife conservation and preservation' is the glue that binds diverse environmentalists together, conservation and preservation also can be a powerful bonding agent for all interested in the preservation of healthy wildlife and habitats as nature oriented recreation and, yes, for hunting.

Smith continues:

“ . . .Why are some species disappearing and others thriving? First, we can examine what is disappearing and what is not. Apparently, few environmentalists have taken the time to do this in their haste to catalog extinct and vanishing species . . .”

To answer this question Smith quotes Harold Demsetz:

“. . . Suppose that land is communally owned....If a person seeks to maximize the value of his communal rights, he will tend to overhunt and overwork the land because some of the costs of his doing so are borne by others. The stock of game and the richness of the soil will be diminished too quickly....

If a single person owns the land, he will attempt to maximize its present value by taking into account alternative future time streams of benefits and costs and selecting that one which he believes will maximize the present value of his privately-owned land rights.…It is very difficult to see how the existing communal owners can reach an agreement that takes account of these costs . . .” (Harokl Demsetz, "Toward a Theory of Property Rights," American Economic Review 57 (May 1967): 354-56.)

What does this all have to do with private hunting ranches, you ask?

Considering aspects of wildlife management past and present including the laws governing ownership and commercial use of wildlife, such as private property rights on wildlife versus the Commons, Robert J. Smith makes an often overlooked point:

“It is obvious, however, that not all natural resources or wildlife have disappeared or even been seriously depleted. Environmentalists, journalists, and writers draw our attention to the most shocking cases. But there are many species that are more common today than they were at any previous time. Many plant and animal species exist in large numbers today that were not present in North America before the arrival of the white man. Furthermore, certain animals and plants are thriving under some specific ownership and management conditions but vanishing under other conditions. It is extremely important to examine these cases in order to understand why overexploitation of some resources and wildlife takes place and why other living or renewable resources are managed on a self-sustaining basis.”

Could feral pigs and true boar be among those thriving species?

With that, let's finally get to private hunting ranches that practice 'canned hunting'. According to pig tags returned to the Californian Department of Fish and Game, well over 90 percent of all wild pigs were taken on private land. Public lands, one of the Commons, are almost devoid of game animals.

Robert J. Smith says he knows why:

“Another example of how private ownership can successfully preserve wildlife is found on game ranches, hunting preserves, safari parks, and animal and bird farms. Many of these private ventures, especially the game ranches, were established to generate profits from private hunting. Consequently, there has been a tremendous outcry from environmentalists and conservationists because the animals are raised for profit and some of them are killed. Yet, if emotional responses can be put aside, it seems clear that these game ranches produce many positive results. Many of the animals they stock are rapidly disappearing in their native countries because of pressures resulting from a rapidly expanding human population. Native habitats are disappearing through the encroachment of agriculture, cattle grazing, timber harvesting, and desertification arising from overexploitation of common property water resources, overgrazing of grasslands, and over-utilization of brush, scrub, and trees for firewood and shelter. So serious are these problems and so insoluble under a common property system that there is little hope of saving many species of wildlife in the developing countries. Indeed, some of the more spectacular and most sought-after big-game mammals may now have healthier and more stable populations on some of the game ranches than in their native countries.“

I agree with his conclusions, though personally I do not like trophy hunting. Safari Parks are therefore not exactly my favorites. But Smith's main point is well taken: Private ownership produces better results and more abundant wildlife than common ownership. Because of better care and preservation of flora and fauna on private land, the existence of private hunting ranches is well justified. If you do not believe it, ask anyone who has spent many a weekend braving heat and desolation on public land in vain pursuit of game that moved onto neighboring private land long ago.

Yet this system has also a downside: Wildlife in California is owned by the people, that is the State. Private landowners do not own the game animals. But the owners of private land have an almost absolute right to grant or deny access to their property for any purpose - including hunting the people's wildlife.

The control of access rights to private land does in practice amount to something very, very similar to ownership rights on the animals. If you cannot access a ranch, you also can not hunt the people's game animals on that ranch – unless you pay the access fee. The landowner, on the other hand, can hunt the people's game on his property at any time.

This quasi ownership of game on private land results in fierce competition for access to ranches with healthy habitat and game. Thus, access fees are steadily inching upwards. Eventually there will be a point when only the wealthiest can afford to hunt. At that point environmentalists of all groups and strifes can rejoice in victory. They finally defeated the Bambi killers.

I will explore the relationship between private ownership and common ownership of a resource in a later post in more detail. It is a topic that has interested me for quite some time. You can find a few of my thoughts in my second post about the Big Horn Ranch. (The article will open below this current post.)

The above mentioned most articulate article is located here. It is thorough, well thought out, documented and argued. Maybe a little on the long side. Yet well worth reading for those with a genuine interest in improving and preserving healthy habitats and wildlife. Not just Green Activism.

PJJ

More Boar Hunting Ranches On Line in SoCal

- If You Have The Bucks!

While researching a new book based on the Boar Book (Wild Boar in California - Where and How to Hunt) I chanced on a hunting ranch a little over two hours north of Los Angeles that looks like a promising addition to the palette of hunting ranches in Southern California. If you can afford the fees, that is. The ranch is located in the Priest Valley and operated by Native Hunts, operators of hunting ranches, guided hunts and wildlife tours in Monterey County, CA.

No hunting took place on this property for several years. Therefore, all wildlife, game and non-game animals as well as habitat, had ample chance to regroup, prosper and expand. Native Hunt opened the ranch for hunting in fall of 2008 and now organizes wild pig hunts on the property.

The actual Priest Valley ranch is only about 600 acres, but Native Hunt has agreements with the owners of surrounding ranches and access to landlocked public land from their ranch. This expands the huntable acreage to about 23, 000 acres of rolling oak groves, dense chaparral, and rocky hillsides.

Located just west of the San Andreas Fault the ranch is on very steep, rocky terrain. Access is difficult and physically taxing. Summer temperature exceed 100 degrees. During rainy winters access roads and the terrain can turn into slick, sticky mud. At times, only walk in access is possible.

In the summer of 2009 the ranch had a rustic lodge to accommodate hunters. Work is underway to get running water, showers and hot water installed.

Despite the rugged terrain and extreme summer temperatures the ranch has several springs at the head of draws. The fresh water sources keep vegetation green, temperature cooler and attract wildlife from far and wide. The ranch management plans to use the springs to improve water supply to other parts of the ranch in order to better their habitat conditions. In time this will dramatically improve the number of small and large game animals. Challenging access to the ranch that favors only the fittest hunters, continued responsible controlled hunting and sustained improvements to habitat conditions will over time result in increased numbers of big game and trophy animals.

Detailed information and prices are available by calling Frank at Native Hunts. This ranch is only recommended for the physically very fit. It is not a playground for the fainthearted.

Native Hunt caters to the discerning hunter who appreciates quality and knows its price. I found a price list but since I am not sure that it is up-to-date and also applies to the Priest Valley Ranch, I will refrain from talking about the fee schedules.

Spear Hunting Wild Boar

Feeding the mills of anti-hunting forces.

In the beginning of hunting there were rocks, sticks, pit traps, snares and bare hands or whatever else could do the job of providing meat for the hungry. Long sticks with a sharp point, fire hardened for better durability, became quite popular even before bow and arrow.

Metal tipped spears have a long history in hunting and warfare. They were not abandoned by the military until the early 20^th Century. In 1939 Polish Lancers (cavalry) attacked German armor with spears in brave but fruitless attempts to stop it. Hunting spears are still in use today in countries were they can be legally used to take game. They also enjoy great popularity in less civilized areas of the world.

For as long as man has hunted wild boar he used spears to do so. A boar spear is a short lance with a long steel blade with crossbars to prevent the angry boar from wiggling up the spear shaft to get at the hunter. The use of boar spears in concert with hunting dogs, drivers and hunters is well documented in graphic illustration from ancient times, to the classic Persian, Greek, Roman period and up to modern times.

Boar spears are a legal hunting weapon in Germany and enjoy new popularity. They were never fully abandoned in favor of firearms. Spears were always used in the context of game drives and boar hunting with dogs. Their increasing popularity is however due to the burgeoning production of corn used to produce alternative fuel.

Boar are hard to see and to shoot in between the narrow rows of corn. Wounded animals often get away by running across the rows. One hunter who was participating in a drive was killed by a boar in such a scenario.

As a consequence, many brave, manly European hunters have dusted off their boar spear or purchased a new one for use in close combat in the corn rows. Boar spears for use in corn fields or other heavy vegetation are rather short, about 3 feet, while general purpose boar spears are longer, six feet and up.

Facing an angry, raging boar from three feet away requires much courage and cold blood. Any small mistake or hesitation can result in serious injury to the hunter. Would you want to risk that?

Anyway, the question is mute here in California. Taking wild pigs or other game animals with a spear is not legal in California. The type of weapon that can be used to hunt game species are clearly described in the hunting regulations. Spears are not among them. Non-game animals do not fall under the protection of these regulations. Consult section 353 of the game code for methods authorized for the taking of big game. You can find it on page 16 of the official Regulations Booklet for 2006 mentioned above. Section 354 deals with archery equipment and crossbow regulations.

Some states allow the use of spears, others do not. Google caches a summation of applicable regulations dated June 2009 at http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:f7tM_gpHxusJ:www.justanswer.com/questions/1dymg-spear-hunting-illegal+is+it+legal+to+hunt+with+a+spear&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us. This page may have changed or may not even be available any longer.

Numerous private ranches in states throughout the US offer spear hunts for boar on their property. The hunts are guided and trained dogs are used to find and bay the wild pigs. I easily found ranches and guide services in Florida and Texas that offer spear hunts.

Some spear hunters improve the power of their spear and the distance it can be accurately aimed by using an atlatl. That in turn poses an additional interesting question: Is the use of an atlatl to hunt game animals with a spear legal? The answer depends on the state. In certain states it is, while it is not in others. The results of a brief private survey of the atlatl as a hunting weapon is posted on the Web.

Another time honored, traditional method of hunting boar is pig sticking. It originated in Spain and in European countries and dates back to Roman times (and possibly beyond). The weapon is either a long specialized pike of a little over 6 feet or a short spear for overhand action. Pig sticking is done from horseback, usually by a group of riders/hunters. It is very dangerous when practiced alone. One of my previous posts depicts a boar drive. In that picture you can not only see the use of spears by hunters on foot but also at least one hunter who is engaged in pig sticking.

Today, pig sticking is very rarely practiced anywhere, though Spain has a registered pig sticking club for the preservation of the “sport”.

The use of a spear as a weapon against charging boar during a big game drive in terrain with overgrown vegetation or high and dense rows of crops is justified for the protection of the drivers and hunters when firearms are to dangerous to use or where there is not enough time to use them on attacking game. Spears remained legal in Germany and other European countries exactly for that reason.

The Spear Hunting Museum in Summerdale in Alabama displays a collection of spears from around the world. You can also listen to the hunting exploits of Gene Morris, founder of the museum. He proudly calls himself "The Greatest Living Spear Hunter in the World". He claims to have killed close to 400 animals including lions, American Bison, cougars, deer and alligators. Spear hunting to him "is an expansion of hunting”. According to a report by Roadside America.com, he believes that hunting is under attack from "bleeding hearts that think that hunters are just out to satisfy a kill instinct. . . They're out to stop all hunting, and I'm out to expand it."

I doubt that bragging about the number of animals speared, including the cute lioness and the majestic elephant, will make the anti-hunting crowd put down their bullhorns and stop their emotional appeals against all hunting. Spear hunting, pig sticking, boar hunting with sword or knife done for the thrill of it and not for subsistence are all are putting grist on the mills of the anti-hunting crowd. Do we really need more enemies?

PJJ

Update To Wisconsin Access Rights For Hunters

In my previous post I talked about how Wisconsin regulates access by hunters to private land. While writing the post, I wondered whether these rules would also apply to wild pigs, since pigs were not mentioned in the material from the State of Wisconsin.

My e-mail to the Bureau of Wildlife Management brought this reply from the wildlife specialist in charge:

“The Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program (WDACP) does not provide damage abatement assistance or partial compensation for feral pig damage. The WDACP only provides damage abatement assistance and partial compensation for damages to agricultural crops by deer, elk, bear, turkey, and geese. The eligible species are listed in Wisconsin State Statute.

Fortunately for Wisconsin, we don't have a huge population of feral pigs maybe 75 - 100 statewide and for the most part landowners have been willing to allow hunters on their property to hunt feral pigs.”

Though wild pigs are not specifically covered by the damage abatement program, the access regulations for hunting other species on private land give ample opportunity to access private land easily and to harvest wild boar in the process.

'Managed Access' Wisconsin style to private land for hunting remains a feasible solution to the access problems hunters encounter here in California and elsewhere.

Next I will look into the question of who actually owns game living on someone's property. I suspect that there is a vexing problem with conflicting rights to be unveiled.

PJJ

New Way To Control Damage From Wild Pigs? Not Really!

Feral pigs cause billions of damage to agricultural crops and to the environment every year. In the United States Texas endures the brunt of it. No wonder, they have the highest number of wild pigs of any state despite heroic efforts to get at the root of the problem.
Though intensive hunting is the best method of controlling wild pigs, it is not as successful as it could be. The reason are access restrictions to private land, State Parks and Nature Preserves that essentially provide safe havens for boar.

Wisconsin is experimenting with a “new” approach to wild pig control. Actually, it is not a new idea at all but rather an improved version of traditional ways of hunting on private land.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources just published an updated version of the Wisconsin Damage and Abatement Claims Program (WDACP).

It provides two types of hunting opportunities for deer and wild pigs: Access during open season for a species and the Agricultural Deer Damage Shooting Permit.

Farmers can enroll in either of the programs. If they do, a “farmer must provide hunting access to the public for the species they are enrolled for (generally deer) during the regular open hunting season(s) for that species.”
They can choose from two options:

“Managed Access: The farmer can limit access to 2 hunters per 40 acres of land suitable for hunting. (The county damage specialist determines the amount of land suitable for hunting. Open fields are not considered land suitable for hunting). All hunters must ask permission of the farmer prior to hunting and must sign in on the farmer's log book. This is the most common option chosen by farmers.”

Ninety five percent of all farmers enrolled in the program participate under this option.

“Open Access: Any number of hunters may hunt on the farmer's land during the open season. All hunters must notify the farmer of their intent to hunt on the farmer's land.”

Farmer holding an Agricultural Damage Shooting Permit also have the option to provide some of their predation tags to hunters. The permit allows hunting inside and outside of the actual season for the game hunted.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sums it up like this:

“Remember . . .
During the regular season - Farmers must allow a certain number of hunters access to their property to hunt.
Outside of the regular season - Farmers may allow you to help them fill their damage tags.
Farmers in either program cannot charge any fees for hunting.
Please be courteous to farmers! Call ahead to plan your hunt, and please refrain from calling them after 8 p.m.”

Sounds to me very much like it used to be in California in the good old times. Except that we did not have compulsory access numbers and regulations.
In theory California still has the liberal access regulations for hunting on private land. In practice, however, they do not exist any longer. Hunting has become big business for the State, landowners, private hunting clubs and guide services who have monopolized hunting access to private land almost completely. This is not likely to change soon.

All we can do is hearken back in nostalgia to times long past . . .

PJJ

Details are here: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/damage/