Hunting Boar At Big Horn Ranch - A challenge For Some Hunters
Wild pig hunting at the Big Horn Ranch elicits mixed reactions from hunters. Some classify it as a good choice for hunting boar close to a large urban area in Southern California, other revile it because Big Horn is a 'high fence' ranch and the wild pigs are not native to the ranch. The 'high fence' is in reality a raggedy low barbed wire fence strung along some old fence posts. You can find such fences on almost any ranch- The unusual thing about the fence is an electric wire running close to the ground. That's what keeps the boar in.
We discussed the pro and con of fenced hunting ranches in earlier articles. No need to repeat the arguments at this time. Big Horn Ranch is by no means the only high fence ranch in California and elsewhere. Cedar Canyon Ranch, Native Hunt and Hogs Wild near Coalinga are just three in California. There are many more in Texas, Louisiana and Florida. In European countries rounding up wild game and confining it to enclosed game preserves where the animals then were hunted by privileged hunters was very common till the early 19th Century. there are still some of these game preserves around. They are no longer used for hunting but rather to display the animals.
Personally I agree to a great extent with the commentator. Hunting the Big Horn Ranch can be physically taxing and even a mental challenge. On the other hand, even the best and smartest of boar imported to the ranch do not have a very good chance of survival.
This is what our commentator has to say about Big Horn and, by inference, about other high fence hunting ranches. What he does not say is that the size of the hunting ranch makes a big difference. The larger the ranch, the better the chances for survival the wild pigs have and the greater the challenges presented to the hunter.
Here is the comment by "tBrea" on my post "Big Horn Canyon Ranch And The Unpopular Truth About Fair Chase":
"I've hunted this property for 3 years. Yes, hunted. This property has steep ridges and areas of thick trees and brush. Even these free range Pigs quickly adapt to hiding by day and you do have to dog the brush and jump them like you are on National forest land. Granted the domestic breeds will run the open roads but European and razorbacks will stick to the brush. But for me I hunt there because I am older with arthritis in the wrist so I can't drag an animal very far and this ranch will take the animal out for you. They have the best price for ranch hunting and you can't beat the skin, gut and quarter for $25. Saves me time on my butchering. And isn't free range meat better for you? "
We discussed the pro and con of fenced hunting ranches in earlier articles. No need to repeat the arguments at this time. Big Horn Ranch is by no means the only high fence ranch in California and elsewhere. Cedar Canyon Ranch, Native Hunt and Hogs Wild near Coalinga are just three in California. There are many more in Texas, Louisiana and Florida. In European countries rounding up wild game and confining it to enclosed game preserves where the animals then were hunted by privileged hunters was very common till the early 19th Century. there are still some of these game preserves around. They are no longer used for hunting but rather to display the animals.
Personally I agree to a great extent with the commentator. Hunting the Big Horn Ranch can be physically taxing and even a mental challenge. On the other hand, even the best and smartest of boar imported to the ranch do not have a very good chance of survival.
This is what our commentator has to say about Big Horn and, by inference, about other high fence hunting ranches. What he does not say is that the size of the hunting ranch makes a big difference. The larger the ranch, the better the chances for survival the wild pigs have and the greater the challenges presented to the hunter.
Here is the comment by "tBrea" on my post "Big Horn Canyon Ranch And The Unpopular Truth About Fair Chase":
"I've hunted this property for 3 years. Yes, hunted. This property has steep ridges and areas of thick trees and brush. Even these free range Pigs quickly adapt to hiding by day and you do have to dog the brush and jump them like you are on National forest land. Granted the domestic breeds will run the open roads but European and razorbacks will stick to the brush. But for me I hunt there because I am older with arthritis in the wrist so I can't drag an animal very far and this ranch will take the animal out for you. They have the best price for ranch hunting and you can't beat the skin, gut and quarter for $25. Saves me time on my butchering. And isn't free range meat better for you? "
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