Hello Pigpopper,

Sure, I need all the information that I can get about pig hunting at Pine Flat Reservoir. Last year I made a map of the BLM plats located below the dam. Check it out at my web pages:

http://www.geocities.com/trail_cam/

If any of my other maps will help you get a pig, feel free to download them.

Richard

Trail Cam,

Thank you for the maps. I heard there was BLM land below the dam but I wasn't sure exactly where it was. Your maps should help alot. I've only hunted on National Forest land around the lake. The areas I've focused on are Secata Ridge, Big Creek, and just east of Hog Mountain. I havn't taken a pig from there yet, but there is plenty of sign. I am looking forward to checking out those BLM plats. Thanks again for the maps and let me know if you want to go hunting sometime.

Pigpopper,

The Shotgun World forum has a thread with some good action boar/dog pics taken near where you hunt. The pic with the boy and a small boar is my 15 year old youth hunter. He is off to a good start. Here is the link:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=64385

Thanks for the hunting spots;

Richard

Trail Cam,

Thank you for the link. Those are some cool pictures.Do you know if the guy with the terriers guides hunts with his dogs? It looks like a lot of fun. Also, have you hunted that BLM land below the dam at Pine Flat, if so did you see any pigs or sign? Thanks again Richard.

Eric

Eric,

I made that map for a hunt that I planned for last year, but something came up. So, I haven’t field checked the corners yet, and it looks like it might be surrounded by private property? There is a power line easement between the road and northern boundary of the plats, so that might be the access, if any? I got the corners off of a BLM Surface Management map.

The guy who posted the Airedale pics has his URL under the last picture. When I visited his site there was also a forum. If I lived as close as you do I would get in touch with him, but chasing after a large dog in steep terrain?

How is the trout fishing below the Dam?

Richard

Richard

Thats too bad you havn't been able to hunt that land yet. I might go this weekend to check it out. It's only a 20 minute drive from my house. As far as the trout fishing goes it is excellent below the dam, but everybody around here knows that so if you go expect crowds. I think you are probably right about hunting with dogs in this area. The terrain is very steep and would be difficult. I have never hunted pigs with dogs but I always thought it would be fun. Of the maps you have which places have you hunted and have you taken any pigs from there? I am not trying to take your secret hunting spot I just want to know which places I should or shouldn't look in to. Thanks again Richard.

Eric

Last year one of the students at Fresno State reported that he spotted 2 wild hogs on private property just below the dam. When I checked that location with my State Explorer software I found the BLM Plats. That is how the map got made.

He also reported that there was a crazy guy nearby who breeds wild pigs on North Elwood Road. Another tip he gave was to take a boat to LeFevre Creek, and start there. A girl he knows claimed her daddy’s 90 acres next to National Forest land near Dunlap had pigs all over the place. You are lucky to live close to such good pig hunting territory.

I started hunting hogs along the central coast in 1965, so the areas that were productive back then are probably trampled down by now? With the high cost of gasoline your best bet would be to work the area that is closest to home.

Through the years I have taken quite a few pigs in the San Benito County’s BLM plats around Hernandez Reservoir . I have maps of that area posted with Clear Creek, Laguna Mountain, and Sweetwater BLM boundaries marked. Now-a-days you can expect plenty of company while hunting that area, but it’s doable if you are determined.

If you want to drive a little farther, then Fort Hunter Liggett has been my best producer. Camp Roberts is also good, but I never did shoot a pig in that place. The risk of friendly fire keeps me away from where the pigs are. FHL Training Area 29 is also getting to be too risky. Richard

Richard,

Thank you for all the tips. It sounds like you are an experienced hunter. I just picked up some applications for Hunter Liggett so I may be going soon. I also heard a rumor that Clear Creek was closed because of the hazardous asbestos found in the ground there. Do you know if there is any truth to this? You are sure right about the price of gas being a factor in where to hunt. I guess I just need to be persistent and keep trying around the lake. It can just be so frustrating at times!!
There is a crazy guy who breeds wild pigs on Elwood Road in the Wonder Valley area, his name is Mr. Gaede. He has a bunch of pigs in his "front yard" (a giant pig wallow) right next to the road. I wouldn't go any where near his pigs or his place. He truly is crazy, and from what I've heard armed to the teeth.
If you are looking for a great place to trout fish try fishing the upper Kings River. You have to drive all the way to the back of Pine Flat but the fishing is excellent and no crowds compared to the dam.
Tnaks for all the help Richard I really appreciate it and it has been fun talking with you.

Eric,

Okay, take care. When you get ready to hunt Liggett, I have some other free maps that will save you a lot of hiking. All you have to do is go to my Home Page and click on my email. There are guys around who sell maps, so I keep the more detailed hunting maps private.

Richard

Thanks a lot Richard. I'll keep in touch.