New and looking for guidance

[Jeremy]

Hi there! I am in Ventura County and just got my hunting license. I have been range shooting since I was a kid but just recently got into hunting. My neighbor is a long time hunter but only small game and birds.

We are not looking to spend a fortune on a ranch but don't have a great idea where to start looking for pig on public lands. I understand people don't like to give up their spots, but maybe a public land guide would be able to help for a more reasonable price than the ranches in SoCal. Do you know of anyone? Thanks!

Also if you have any good resources you would be willing to share for new hunters in SoCal, podcasts, blogs, local clubs, etc. Please feel free to share!

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[SASS]

Hello Jeremy,

Here is my advice for you. First I doubt you will find a guide that will guide you on public land, but I could be wrong. There are a lot of reasons for this but I will not get into them right now. Since you are new to hunting and I assume would be spot and stalking or shooting from a blind I doubt you will get a pig on public land. I don't mean to sound negative but that is just the reality of it. This exact question has been asked on here 100's if not 1000's of times and I have yet once to see a newb successful on a spot and stalk public pig by themselves in CA. Not that is hasn't ever been done, I've just never seen it or heard of it. I have heard of very experienced hunters who have put in tons and tons of time in areas and pull it off but never a beginning hunter in their first year or two trying.

If you want a pig within the next couple of years you will most likely have to pay a guide, which I don't blame you for not wanting to pay those prices to kill and invasive species that most places will pay you to hunt, but in good ole CA that is how it is. Business is business. There are a lot of added benefits by using a guide though in what they can teach you if you have one that is willing to take the time to do so.

If you just want to hunt public land and not pay guides I would suggest you start with small game like cotton tail and then move to deer or both. Just a thought. Good luck on your hunting journey it can be deeply rewarding, and I hope I have not discouraged you too much just wanted to save you a lot of time.

 

[Gspman]

Yup to above. Start small. Rabbits birds etc. while hunting them you will be scouting for other game. Deer is a much better large animal to start with then pig. Pig is hard to find even on private land. I've read that less the 6% of all pigs taken in California are on public land. Tells you something.

Welcome to hunting.

 

[ilovesprig]

Jeremy,

Welcome to SCH......All sound advice above......If it's big game that you're wanting to hunt, have it be deer.....Lots of places to hunt up your way. And you never know, you may see a pig (carry a pig tag).....Save your money, then try a guided pig hunt.

Good luck

 

[Jeremy]

Thanks for the advice. That is the sense I get but thought I would put it out there if anyone on here was a guide. I will definitely be starting with small game, just want to start researching pig so I can save up! Thanks again!

 

[PyroTekRob]

Best bet for pig is goto TX. The cheapest in Commifornia is Big Horn Ranch ($500). Which most here don't seem to be fond of, high fence and what not. But atleast you get a pig vs no pig on public or $1000+ for a guide.

If you recently got you Hunter safety like I did you should have been given a Apprenticeship hunt card. Look into those as well. Raahauges in Norco also has a pheasant club I am considering if I dont get a pheasant apprenticeship hunt.

I havent had any luck with rabbit. So I can't really help there.

Good luck!

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[Mud Pigeon]

Best bet for pig is goto TX. The cheapest in Commifornia is Big Horn Ranch ($500). Which most here don't seem to be fond of, high fence and what not. But atleast you get a pig vs no pig on public or $1000+ for a guide.

If you recently got you Hunter safety like I did you should have been given a Apprenticeship hunt card. Look into those as well. Raahauges in Norco also has a pheasant club I am considering if I dont get a pheasant apprenticeship hunt.

I havent had any luck with rabbit. So I can't really help there.

Good luck!

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4H projects don't count as wild pigs!

 

[PyroTekRob]

4H projects don't count as wild pigs!

Still better than being empty handed for half the cost.

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[Eric pecan]

Her's an article that will give you an idea about wild pig hunting in California. My advise is head North! there is only one pig left in the sandiego area. https://huntingboar.org/b/public-land-boar-hunting-california-where-and-how/4281

 

[Deleted member 29105]

I would advise you to not high fence "hunt." That is not hunting. It's target shooting. I'm sure it is fun but learn to really hunt first. Stay true to the animals, the land and yourself. I always think "Native American" whilst hunting and planning a hunt. They are the truest hunters and stewards of the earth. Hunting is not only about killing an animal. It is about being in the great outdoors, learning game patterns, stalking prey, appreciating the forest and game and outsmarting it. It is about putting in your time, enjoying the experience (no matter how tough) and the reward: killing your quarry.
Not trying to preach but just point a newbie in the right direction. I don't post a lot on these websites and I think I've rarely (if ever) posted the animals I've killed (I've gotten plenty). I've gotten deer eight out of the last nine years and have gotten ducks, quail, turkey and dove. I don't care to show people what I've killed that much (though I might if I get my elk this year!). Just what I've learned. (and learn from others) Some will laugh at this but I have hunted for 32 years and have a clear conscience and many successful hunts. Now go kill something wild! good luck!

 

[ilovesprig]

Nicely put FF.....Although, I disagree with you slightly on your assessment of taking pictures and posting.....This website and others would be nothing but a chat room without them (& boring).....I also feel that pictures of the animals we kill (not harvest, I didn't grow them) honors the game we get.....At least for me, I love seeing the smiles of kids, the proudness of a newbie with their 1st buck or gobbler, and just getting the incentive to hunt by the success of others.

ps.....Even native Americans put pictures on the walls of caves of their kills.

 

[nicapopolis]

Still better than being empty handed for half the cost.

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Yeah... not at all.

Going home with some spotted 4H calico from a farm is nothing special. With your logic I can save even more by just going to the butcher and buying a whole pig.

Hunting is extremely humbling. Do it right and you will be more grateful when that pork hits the dirt.

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[Deleted member 29105]

I would advise you to not high fence "hunt." That is not hunting. It's target shooting. I'm sure it is fun but learn to really hunt first. Stay true to the animals, the land and yourself. I always think "Native American" whilst hunting and planning a hunt. They are the truest hunters and stewards of the earth. Hunting is not only about killing an animal. It is about being in the great outdoors, learning game patterns, stalking prey, appreciating the forest and game and outsmarting it. It is about putting in your time, enjoying the experience (no matter how tough) and the reward: killing your quarry.
Not trying to preach but just point a newbie in the right direction. I don't post a lot on these websites and I think I've rarely (if ever) posted the animals I've killed (I've gotten plenty). I've gotten deer eight out of the last nine years and have gotten ducks, quail, turkey and dove. I don't care to show people what I've killed that much (though I might if I get my elk this year!). Just what I've learned. (and learn from others) Some will laugh at this but I have hunted for 32 years and have a clear conscience and many successful hunts. Now go kill something wild! good luck!

Nicely put FF.....Although, I disagree with you slightly on your assessment of taking pictures and posting.....This website and others would be nothing but a chat room without them (& boring).....I also feel that pictures of the animals we kill (not harvest, I didn't grow them) honors the game we get.....At least for me, I love seeing the smiles of kids, the proudness of a newbie with their 1st buck or gobbler, and just getting the incentive to hunt by the success of others.

ps.....Even native Americans put pictures on the walls of caves of their kills.

I got you. I didn't disparage anyone's posting of pics, etc.; only mentioned that I have rarely, if ever, posted mine. I really dig seeing the pics and maybe I should loosen up and post mine too. (the cave painting argument is weak though. hehe)
I guess I feel this connection with the land and the animals I kill that I don't take pictures but might try to remember to do it to share with you kind people in the future. Cheers!!

 

[MAG 1]

Best thing to do is get out and look around. Read the posts and learn through there experience.
Remember you can"t get anything from the couch.
Good luck.

 

[Cali Ridge Runner]

Pics or it never happened..... lol

 

[Bowman]

I would advise you to not high fence "hunt." That is not hunting. It's target shooting. I'm sure it is fun but learn to really hunt first. Stay true to the animals, the land and yourself. I always think "Native American" whilst hunting and planning a hunt. They are the truest hunters and stewards of the earth. Hunting is not only about killing an animal. It is about being in the great outdoors, learning game patterns, stalking prey, appreciating the forest and game and outsmarting it. It is about putting in your time, enjoying the experience (no matter how tough) and the reward: killing your quarry.
Not trying to preach but just point a newbie in the right direction. I don't post a lot on these websites and I think I've rarely (if ever) posted the animals I've killed (I've gotten plenty). I've gotten deer eight out of the last nine years and have gotten ducks, quail, turkey and dove. I don't care to show people what I've killed that much (though I might if I get my elk this year!). Just what I've learned. (and learn from others) Some will laugh at this but I have hunted for 32 years and have a clear conscience and many successful hunts. Now go kill something wild! good luck!

X2 I get it ... for me it's the same..