California pig hunting

[savage sam]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone here had any info on Fort Hunter Liggett, California. My dad and I are really interested in doing some wild pig hunting there sometime in the next year. We have never hunted pigs, but hunt deer in CA every year, usually in the C zones. I have been to FHL's website and got all the information off there on what's required to get permission to hunt, but I was wondering if anyone on the forum could share any tips on either general pig hunting (tactics, techniques, methods that seem to work, etc) or any Fort Hunter Liggett-specific advice (where the pigs actually are, what time of year to go, etc). Any info would be greatly appreciated, and thanks for your time.

-Savage Sam

 

[Cypress]

Got no idea about CA but pigs is pigs so I assume the same tactics work most places. Do'nt buy into the hype about how mean they are. Just like everything else in the woods, they are more afraid of you than you are of them. They are fairly easy to stalk if you don't let them wind you. They move most at night which is why most people in TX hunt them with spotlights or on moon lit nights. They are IMO one of the toughest animals in North America so use enough gun and plan your shots. There was another thread about using a .223 to hunt pigs that had a good diagram on it. They are pretty good to eat if you don't catch them in a trap and poke them with a stick for 3 hours. That's about all I've got. Good luck!!!

 

[Jeff F]

I have hunted there before. It has been quite a few years ago. One thing was that on the reservation no sidearms were allowed. In numerous trips there we only found fresh pig sign a couple of times, but there are a bunch of pigs there. Military was closing off certain areas as they needed them, so it can be a crap shoot with the time of year you hunt there. A much better area I have found is the Clear Creek recreation area, it's east north east of King City about half way between King City and Coalinga. San Benito Mtn area was pretty good. Its rough country, unimproved dirt roads - jeep trails. 4X4 recommended and make sure to have a good spare tire or two is even better. If you have time crawl over the hill and check out the ghost town of Idria. There was a few characters still living there last time I was up that way. Be vary careful going into any old mines you may find in this area or anywhere else for that matter.

 

[jojosdad]

Unfortunately Clear Creek is temporarily closed due to airborne asbestos. Don't know if there are old mines in there or what, but the EPA and BLM have issued a temporary closure for the area. http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/ca/pdf/hollister.Par.43513.File.dat/Closure_Order.pdf

 

[spectr17]

FHL just raised their hunting permit fees. $90 now for an annual, used to be $75

One thing was that on the reservation no sidearms were allowed.

Not sure where you got that, you can carry a sidearm and hunt with it if you like. FHL does have some restrcitions on caliber and barrel length though. FHL is also an Army Fort, not a reservation.

With the war going the fort has had some closures for training, some last minute ones that can screw up a planned hunt.

Vandenburg AFB near Lompoc is another alternative if you are military or retired military.

 

[Samuel Adams]

California pig hunting

Did my ex-wife move out west?

 

[JG2000]

Well I know that lead bullets are a no-no there. Here is there link
http://www.liggett.army.mil/sites/fishhunt/ and another site thats helped me plan my hunt, haven't gone yet though. Report back after your trip.
http://www.jesseshunting.com/

 

[crossroad]

I have hunted at Fort Hunter Liggett and have found it to be one of the better public hunting places in the lower portion part of this State. At times there are some real good opportunities for wild pig hunting. You do have to work around the schedules of the U.S. Army which can never be forecast far in advance. Every Thursday, the base officials post the available hunting areas that will be open for that particular weekend. That schedule could change at any time. It is rare, but it does happen where they change the schedule after the Thursday posting. Prior to your trip you'll first need to mail in your permit form along with the appropriate fee. After you have secured your permit, you'll need to check in at the Wildlife Check Station on the Fort Hunter Liggett Base, prior to your hunt. You then have to fill out a form in order to get the necessary pass needed to hunt the particular area that you choose from the available list. Upon request, the check station will give you a map of your assigned area, which also details the driving instructions needed to locate the entry points of your chosen hunting area. The hunting parcel areas are fairly large with a vast network of dirt roads traversing throughout the areas. Many of the dirt roads are not well maintained on a regular basis. During the rainy season, the dirt roads get to be real challenging. A four-wheel drive vehicle is a must when hunting the Fort. Many a hunter has found the need to call the local tow service for assistance. There are two special hunting areas that do not allow vehiclular traffic, you have to park and walk to hunt these areas. The roads to these two areas are paved and don't require a four-wheel drive vehicle. The Fort has been closed for the last 2 weeks due to increased military training exercises. I hope this information helps you.