HOG HEAVEN

     As the story goes,... "this little boar has a long narrow snout, short erect ears, a coarse heavy coat; and this little hog has none. this little boar prefers early summer barley or just about anything edible within sight, but this little hog gets none; and this little boar, along with all the rest of the heard, go wee, wee, wee all the way to their watering spot before bedding down for the remainder of their California day"...or something like that.
      Call them what you prefer, wild boar, hogs, Russian boar, pigs, or feral hogs, if they reside in California, the genus Sus, of which we are referring, are a wild boar/feral pig hybrid. They are descendents of feral Russian and Spanish domestic pigs mixed with some imported pure European wild boar stock
      They can be black, brown, or red, be solid, pied or spotted, have stripes,or be banded and display all the characteristics of aclassic European wild boar, a floppy eared barnyard sow, or most any combination there off in between.
      Wild Boar are: the #1 game animal in California; There is no closed season. They are challenging and fun to hunt; are good to eat, offer high success rates and the tags are not expensive. Best of all, they are back! Wild Boar have been increasing their public lands range by double-digit figures for the past several years.
      Once hogs are established in an area, they are almost impossible to get rid of. A mature hog sow will have 2-3 litters in 12 months allowing a heard to triple their numbers in good rain and feed year. Drought is the only natural means of hog control. Daily water is mandatory for a hog's well being. During hot weather, they will water twice a day.
      Throughout the drought years, the wild hog population decreased somewhat throughout their range due to the lack of consistent water. In addition, the remaining herds concentrated on private property due to the availability of water. Today, after several years of plentiful water, heard numbers are up, overall range is increasing, overall harvest numbers are up and public land harvest statistics show an increase of over 65%.
      In California, most of the wild boar are distributed fron Santa Barbara in the South to Mendacino in the North. If you are in the coastal range somewhere between the pacific and the central valley you are in wild boar habitat If you are well away from paved roads, near a water source and within a mile of a barley field, you'' better be huntin hogs. If there is no barley around, don't fret. Check for acorns, grasses, forbs, bulbs, tubers, invertebrates, reptiles, birds, eggs, carcasses, and their own young. Hogs are the consummate omnivore.
      Hunting method is usually determined by seasonal food preference. Hogs usually move from food source to water and then to bedding cover area during the day. In the late afternoon the process is reversed. On any given day, stand hunting can work, spot and stalk usually works, still hunting can produce and pursuit with dogs will usually generate a lot of excitement.
      It's been said, that a wild boar can still smell the hunter that passed upwind of it, the previous day. A bit of an exaggeration, due to a hog's ability to smell that is second to no other critter in the world. Their eyesight is so-so and their excellent hearing is often nullified by self-generated noise, though they can sometimes be called in.
      When you get to the point of deciding which weapon to use, you will have several options from which to choose; rifle, handgun, shotgun, muzzleloader, or archery. Most hog hunters use their favorite deer rifle. They are familiar with it's shooting characteristics and the load is usually adequate.
      Wild boar are legendary for having "armor like" sides and being hard to kill. In reality, they poses a thick layer of tough gristle over a heavily boned frame that can stop a light target type bullet or dull arrowhead. A well placedshot with a medium weight or heavier bullet from your deer rifle or a razor sharp broadhead will consistently fill the freezer with delectable steaks, roasts and chops.
      Wheather you are hunting public land or private property, the golden age of hog hunting in the golden state is now! Detailed information about hunting wild boar and the many opportunities available, can be obtained from:

• "Hunting Wild Boar in California"
  "Must Have" book by Bob Robb,
        P.O.Box 1296
       Valdez, Alaska 99686
  
• "California Hog Hunter"
  Informative newsletter by Jim Matthews
  (909) 887-3444
       P.O. Box9007
       San Bernardino, CA. 92427
  
• "How to" Guide by the California Dept. of Fish and Game
  "Hunting Guide for Wild Pigs in California"
  
• Tom Willoughby Outfitter & Guide Service      (831) 385-3003
       P.O.Box 1466
       King City, CA. 93930
  
• Arrow Five Outfitters     (707) 923-9633
       Jim or TinaMarie Schaafsma
       Start Route 1, Box 64A
       Zenia, CA. 95595