Every year, the CA DFG, along with certain public land managers offers special pig hunting opportunities. A couple of these hunts, such as the Joice Island hunt (near Fairfield), are lottery hunts where you will need to get your apps in the mail. Others, such as Camp Roberts (near Paso Robles) and Lake Sonoma, are first come/first served.
After a couple of years of work with private land owners, the DFG is now able to offer the first pig hunt under the SHARE program. This opportunity is at the Bobcat Ranch in Yolo County. There will be spaces for 64 hunters, but in order to get in on the hunt, you’ll need to get an application in by November 30. Here’s the full information:
SHARE Program
Bobcat Ranch Wild Pig Hunt- December 2010Bobcat Ranch is in Yolo County’s Vaca Mountain foothills, west of Winters. Two-day wild pig hunt permits will be issued to hunters by drawing only for all wild pig hunt periods. Hunters may apply for more than one hunt period per application. No party applications will be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. For this initial SHARE opportunity there will be no application fee.
Individual hunters may be accompanied by not more than one non-hunter. Apprentice hunters must be accompanied by an adult. No more than eight hunters will be allowed to hunt per period. No dogs may be used. Only non-lead ammunition may be used during this hunt. Archery equipment may be used during the general hunt periods. A pre-hunt orientation is required on the first day of each hunt, and all hunters are required to check in and check out of the hunt area. DFG personnel will be onsite during the hunts.
The hunts are limited entry and permit-only, available to all holders of a valid California hunting license and a wild pig tag, which are available at license providers throughout the state. Hunters may apply for the two-day wild pig hunts by mailing an application to DFG. Applicants must indicate the period for which they wish to be considered. Applications must be received by 4:00 on November 30, 2010. Successful applicants will be notified by phone. Entry permits with maps and additional information will subsequently be mailed to successful applicants. For an application please visit the wild pig special hunts website at www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/pig/specialhunts.html or contact Victoria Barr, SHARE Program Coordinator at (916) 445-4034.
Archery only hunts:
Period 1- December 6-7
Period 2- December 8-9Apprentice (must have Junior hunt license) only hunts:
Period 3- December 13-14
Period 4- December 15-16General hunts:
Period 5- December 20-21
Period 6- December 22-23
Period 7- December 27-28
Period 8- December 29-30DFG or AUDUBON CALIFORNIA RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THIS HUNT AND CLOSE THE AREA TO ALL PUBLIC USERS WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFOCATION DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
This is a pretty great opportunity, and one I hope CA hunters will take advantage of. If the program works well, we can hope to see more private lands opened up to hog hunters in the future.
Don’t miss out!
Thanks Phil. I sent in my app yesterday. Im pumped and ready for Hedgepeth I have a reservation during the week after Thanksgiving since that is the opener. Ill let you know how it goes.