Unguided Wild Pig Hunting

Low Cost Alternatives To Expensive Guided Hunts.

Regular readers of my articles know that I am quick to complain about limited access to private land and high, if not excessive, guide fees for boar hunts in California. The good news is that there are still a few opportunities to gain access to private land for a relatively small access fee. A found three in California – and promptly lost the address of one of them.

Here are the remaining two:

Bryson Resort offers semi-guided hunts for an access fee of $ 200.00 per day.

The fee includes an introduction to the ranch with references to wild pig locations, habitat and food information and the like. After they have familiarized you with the lay of the land, the game and its locations you are on your own. The hunt is called a semi-guided hunt because a guide familiar with ranch and game is giving you information that could make the difference between success and bust.

However, there is no guarantee that wild pigs will there when you are and even if they run around all over the place that you will get one. It is all up to you and your hunting skills.

For details go to http://brysonresort.com/ or e-mail reservations@brysonresort.com (Deedy; she will also point you in the right direction) or call (805) 472-2922.

A friend scheduled a semi-guided hunt for early May. I will share his experiences with you when he returns – unless I can tag along and report first hand.

Cedar Canyon

A mere 90 minutes north of Los Angeles off HWY 58 in the Tehachapi Mountains (Kern County) you find the Cedar Canyon Ranch. During spring 2010 they offer an unguided wild pig hunt for the special price of $ 225.00. But hurry, the special may not be available for much longer.

By the way, Cedar Canyon Ranch claims to have true 'Russian' boar on their ranch. Check it out for me, please, when you hunt there. Cedar Canyon is a high fence ranch.

Contact Cedar Canyon Ranch at http://www.huntcedarcanyon.com/. The website is not sufficiently interactive to gather enough detailed information without calling the ranch at 714- 968-6623.

Multiple Use Managers is the “lost” lead, I believe. They hunt the Dye Creek Preserve and other ranches. Check on it by calling (800) 557-7087 for information.

Hogs Wild near Coalinga, earth quake capital of California, is another low cost wild pig hunting outfit. For rifle hunting you ought to contact Jeremy Fairbanks (559) 935-3533 or (559) 707-9159. Bow hunters call Hogs Wild - Larry Greve ,Phone: (559) 935-5788.

Their hunts are generally 2 day semi-guided hunts at very reasonable price of $ 450.00 for the bow hunt, no trophy fees and $ 595.00 for two-day guided rifle hunts. No trophy fee here either. That compares well to other economy semi-guided or unguided hunts.

All prices and special offers above are subject to change at any time. It behooves you therefore to call ahead for details and availability.

If you are the traveling kind, consider hunting wild hogs in Texas. They have plenty of them running all over the place creating a nuisance and much damage to the environment and agricultural crops. Consequently, more and more ranch owners in Texas are offering unguided boar hunts. Most ranches are not high fence operations to keep the wild pigs in. However, many maintain feeder station to attract the wild pigs to specific locations. That works in favor of unguided hunters. Find the feeder, place yourself strategically near the feeder and you should have a (almost) guaranteed shot at a boar.

Here are three Texas ranches with unguided boar hunts at low cost.

Texas Outlaw Outfitters offers a limited number of unguided hunts (2 days minimum) for $ 125.00 a day. They are also willing to custom tailor a hog hunt to fit your needs and budget. You can reach them at info@texasoutlawoutfitters.com or by phone at (940) 655-4914. This price is for the bare hunt and for a limited time and number of hunts only, other services are available at additional charges.

Hunting-in-texas.com, aka 1A Hunting in Texas Guide Service, based in San Antonio, hunts 20 ranches in Texas and cooperates with 3 outfitters. They offer not only wild hog hunting but also a variety of other game, big and small. You have to check their website to dig up their wild pig hunting specials. Prices start at $ 125.00 per hunter per day.

Contact them at http://www.hunting-in-texas.com/ or e-mail Robohunter@hunting-in-texas.com; phone: 210-872-2771.

Stanfield Hunting is another wild hog hunting outfitter in Texas. Though a full service outfitter, they also offer unguided wild pig hunts. These hunts include 2 afternoon and night hunts, 2 morning hunts, and lodging. Hunting is over feeders and from blinds. Because the hunts are unguided you can expect only a minimum of assistance. After you arrive at the ranch, they will show you the property lines, and the location of feeders and blinds. Thereafter you are on your own. Spotlights are legal at feeders only.

Unguided hog hunting is $ 250.00 for the package and only $ 200.00 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Information is available at http://www.stanfieldhunting.com/hoghunting.htm or by e-mail at goose@westex.net; phone: (940) 658-3172 . Out of state hunters need to spend another $ 45.00 for a 5 day out of state small game license.

Adding up all the extra cost associated with hunting wild pigs in Texas, unguided hunts in California are actually quite competitively priced. In fact, even some of the more reasonably priced fully guided hunts are looking pretty good.

Whatever your decision will be, make sure the advertised specials are still available and get written confirmation of the terms and conditions for your hunt at least by e-mail. Do not just rely on conversations over the phone.

If you know of other unguided hunts in California and want to share your information, please let us know.

PJJ