JHP Pig-O-Rama June 7-9

[bubba]

Thought I would start the thread for the June hunt. ###After my April and May plans changed by work and Mothers Day. ###I will be going to the June hunt( God willing) (fingers crossed). ###I am sending my info on monday. ###I will be putting in for South area. ###Hoping to get info from you guys going this weekend and in May. ###Anyone else planning on going in June?

I will be in a Blue Chevy 2500HD with a cap. ###ALso, planning on taking my travel trailer. ###Four Winds Lite... ###Hope to see some of you there. ###Hopefully, we can do as well as the May group.

(Edited by bubba at 1:35 pm on April 11, 2002)


(Edited by bubba at 2:29 pm on May 15, 2002)

[bubba]

...bump...

[Speckmisser]

Jesse (Murillo AKA Bubba), you were asking about tips for your June hunt. ###Well, bear in mind that just taking a hog off the ranch doesn't make me an expert. ###Also, I really only hunted two spots. ###The first spot I saw nada, the second spot is where I got my hog. ###

I didn't cover a lot of the ranch, but from the looks of things, the trick is to get high and look down in the early mornings and evenings. ###Don't be afraid to get in the truck and drive, either. ###Like several other guys, the idea of road hunting was kinda strange to me, but it really is the best trick for covering ground. ###The ranch itself is like 277,000 acres, and if you just pick a likely spot and hike it like I did the first morning, you could be missing out (or you could walk right into your pig). ###Drive the ridges until you spot hogs, then if you can make the stalk or the shot, do it. ###Otherwise mark where you saw the most and come back later.

What worked for me was to find hogs in the evening, mark where I saw them, then hump it in there at first light the following morning.

There's a lot of water on the ranch, even in the summer, but if you can spot an isolated spring (think dark green hillsides) you may have an advantage. ###

Another very important tip... ###if you're sitting in camp and one of the Tejon guides comes in and chats, don't be afraid to ask questions. ###I don't know that they're supposed to give "tips" during the pig-o-rama, ###but if they happen to mention areas that they might hunt if they were looking for pigs... well, it'd serve you well to listen. ###;)

Other important tips... ###carry LOTS of water. ###It's already hot there in the daytime, and dragging a hog out of a hellhole is a bad time to realize you're down to your last swallow. ###Dehydration and heat prostration are very real possibilities, especially with that dry wind sucking the moisture right out of you. ###

It is fire season, so you'll have to get the exhaust certified. ###The fire station is right there near the South gate, so it's not a big issue getting it done. ###No charge, no fuss, just pull in and let the guy come out and check it real quick. ###

Due to the turnout (something like 61 total hunters) and the low number of pigs on the desert side, they allowed us to hunt the entire ranch last weekend. ###We weren't limited to just one area, although I don't think anyone who went all the way into the North side (One-track?). ###Seemed to be plenty of hogs on the south side already.

It's an awesome place, and I had a blast just spending time there. ###Beautiful country, lots of animals, and even some history. ###Pretty cool. ###You'll have a ball.

Good luck, and hope the weekend is as good for ya'll as it was for us. ### ###

[bubba]

Thanks. ###

I'm glad you had a great time and were successful, escpecially when you had a guest from such a long way. ###Give my congrats to your brother. ###Hoping to hook up with you up here soon. ###I'm still working on getting access to the ranch in Livermore. ###I'll give you a holler if I'm successful. ###Like I said earlier, if you ever venture out and don't want to go alone give me a holler.

Thanks again. ###

[One Track]

Speck: ###You forgot one thing. ###Take lots of rope. ###500 feet is not too much. ###If you have a winch, you're way ahead of the game. Also, if you see hogs from the truck, and set out after them - DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR PACK: water, knives, flashlight and some rope to start the drag. ###You might end up a mile from the truck, in the dark. That's when the fun really begins. ###Yee Ha!

[Speckmisser]

Oh yeah... rope! ###

I think we ended up tying together five or six pieces and maybe ended up with a little over 100 yards, in addition to the 125' winch cable. ###Still ended up carrying piggies a mighty long way. ###

Next time I WILL have at least 200 yards of good line. ###A tensile strength of 300-500 lbs is plenty, so you don't have to carry tugboat hawsers. ###I think my main rope is like a 3/8" or 5/16" nylon. ###100 yards of that is not a real burden, and it goes a long ways up a hill. ###

[bowhunting fool]

Speck and one track are right in saying bring plenty of rope because most likely you will shoot your pig down hill and they tend to roll even farther after being hit. Also beware that there are big Mountain lions on the ranch as I had one come to me and my pig in the dark .The pigs sometimes squeel to high heaven after being hit Hell would'nt you? and that tends to let the cats know a piggie is in trouble and maybe an easy meal so they will come at you. So a side arm would be a piece of security. And as they also said you can drive around till you see herds of pigs or the sometimes lone Big boar and try and stalk close enough for a shot, or do what we did Saturday evening and find a likely deep draw that can conceal and contain beds and that with lots of cover in a Riparian area and get up high and glass the last few hours of light and watch to see the pigs slowly come out and browes and root the hillsides they all seem to head up hill as they go, at least what I have seen there, so getting up high with a good pair of optics and look for the black specks that start to filter up through the trees and get ahead ###or above them and try and stalk close especially if you have the type of windy days we did, you can easily keep the wind to your face. If you you know your gun you know it's limitations so you can account for how far you need to get to place a killing shot. just remeber they will roll down so ROPE, ROPE and more ROPE is the key unless you can quarter and carry, let me tell you just a hundred lbs of dead weight is unbeleivably heavy when it has to go up hill against rocks and dead branches we had to clear a path for my pig to slide through down in the draw from hell I shot mine in, and one tracks buddy Al is a hell of a strong man and we were struggling getting that sucker to the truck that one track incredibly got down a creek draw that no truck has any business being in ,but he did it. So bino's and rope will help out tremendously, and these animal are hardy and strong so a good well placed shot is the trick they do not want to die and will fight if cornered injured so place that shot well, and good luck I hope all of you june JHPers fill your tags.

[Floatuber]

Bubba,
I have my application in for the South side of Tejon in June. ###Unless I hear otherwise from Barbara, I guess I am in. ###I'll keep in touch as we get closer to June.

Floatuber

[300BOSS2]

This is bubba using home username:

Floatuber: ###Welcome aboard. ###JHP is an awesome place to hang out. ###I've been to one JHP Turkey hunt and everyone I met has been great. ###Looking forwad to meeting you. ###Maybe we can set up camp in back area like its been done in past hunts at Tejon. ###BTW, Barbara says its shaping up like the May hunt, so don't worry about space. ###There were only 63 total hunters in May hunt. ###Hoping the hunting during next couple of weekends doesn't turn all game into night dwellers, otherwise we will have to bust some brush to get em out, which probably means getting into these Hell Holes everyoen is talking about. ###Looking forward to meeting you.

[bowhunting fool]

it's those first and last few hours of light that you need to concentrate on even in June, other than that after say 11:00 am go back to camp and take a nap till around 5:00 then hit the ridge lines again and glass, you will see pigs, the ranch is just loaded with them. Good luck to you all I can't wait till you guys fill your tags and post your stories. Good luck to you all.

[Qbn Hunter]

How much is the rama and is the success rate high?

[grtwythunter]

QBN-It's $300. The success rates varies, but last trip it seemed to run about 55-60%. If you have any more questions, JHP had a pretty good showing at the last two Rama's, so ask away. ### ### ### ### ### ###Scott

[d trees]

Guys I was lucky to hunt the ranch a few years back before the pig o ramas in june back then you got to hunt for 500.00 and you got a month and a half to roam that ranch what a beatiful place we always had good sucess on the N/E and S/E sides of the ranch Glassing from a high ridge and spotting and then jumping in the truck driving the to the ridge in front of the pigs and stalking them before you run out of light lots of fun and like the other guys said lots of water and ROPE and watch out for the MOSQUITOS they can be terrible that time of year that last trip hunting there it was in the high 80's and there was 10 to 20 MO'S flying around your head and face mid day next trip I am buying ###bug suit thats for sure, good luck .d

[Speckmisser]

D Trees is dead on about it being a beautiful place. ###When you guys get out there, don't forget to enjoy and appreciate where you are. ###As my brother and I were walking out on this one ridge, he commented, "This is like an episode from TNN Outdoors." ###

At one point he sat down on a high spot and called his wife, just to tell her what he was seeing.

Not to say that any of you guys fall into this group, but I know some guys go out with so much focus on getting game, they forget to enjoy the environment around them. ###That's a shame, especially when you're in a place like Tejon Ranch. ###If you give it a moment, it'll take your breath away!

I wish I hadn't been so tired on Sunday, because I would definitely have liked to drive around and sightsee before I left. ###That is an option for anyone who tags out early, and I believe it would be worth the gas to do it. ###

[d trees]

Game I have seen on tejon Elk, coyote, hogs, bobcat ,turkey, a buddy said he saw antelope, and I think I saw more deer there than hogs its like stepping back in time and all just and hour and a half from LA its trully a special place, man do I miss that long season they use to have !!!! cant wait to get back there though good luck in june men and watch out for those giant sqeuters they have there and rattle snakes,d

[yurmomma]

Do they let you hunt with a muzzleloader or archery?

[One Track]

Yep.

[Speckmisser]

yurmomma,

They let you hunt with any legal means. ###

Next time I go (now that I have a better idea for the lay of the place) I'm definitely bringing the Hawken. ###While there are plenty of long shots, if you pick your spot you can close range with a little skill and a lot of luck. ###

[bubba]

Took th erifle out yesterday, all looks well. ###The count down begins 16 days to go.

[jrifenbark]

The April success rate wasn't that high for JHP (2/9?). ###The pigs tended to run in large groups with 10 to 30 animals in one group. ###Cody reccomended staying away from well used roads. ###Makes sense. ###I agree that glassing from an elevated position at dawn and dusk is best. ###The pigs are in the deep, dark, foreboding, oak-ridden canyons. ###Bear in mind, you need to get the pig out (something I didn't consider before dropping the hammer).

Plenty of Mule Deer.

Beutiful place.

Wish I were going.

[bubba]

Starting to work on my list. ###Rope is first on list. ###My game cart is coming along, and I'm looking for a winch....10 days....

[One Track]

Bubba:

You guys are stoked. ###How many of the JHPers are going? ###

[bubba]

One Track:

SO far Floatuber and Myself. ###QBN sounds like he is interested. ###I'm taking a buddy. ###Jesse said he was going to try and make it out. ###I read on a previous thread that Dakota was thinking about going on this date. ###Maybe the the threat of heat is scaring people off. ###WHo knows. ###I'm looking forward to my first big game hunt of the year. ###Here piggy piggy....oink.. oink...

I'm taking a Boss Hawg call. ###Anyone ever use a pig call? ###How would you use it?

[One Track]

It would be nice to have a group of eight or ten guys. ###I can't make it. ###Too hot! ###(Just kidding.) ###I already went in Feb. and May. ###So don't want to push my luck with my awesome wife. Plus, the albacore are just around the corner and I need to work that angle.

I had a buddy set up his electronic hog call just after dark at the May POR. ###He let it squeel for about two minutes, then turned it off. ###About a minute later, something squeeled back at us. ###It ###was too dark to see anything.

It could be really hot. However, you can't let that stop you. ###Most of the opportunities are going to come in the morning, and then a few hours before dark. ###You'll have all day to sit under a shade tree and relax. ###Nothing wrong with that. ###The guys that were up early, and in their spots before light, all got shots. ###

Y'all have fun

[spectr17]

Well, I had squirreled away a couple hundred bucks for a pig hunt and my truck starting bleeding it down bit by bit. Today, anther $450. for a rear axle and bearing and the heater core is still leaking and stinking up the truck. Short of strong arming kids for their lunch money I'm going to have to wait until fall I guess for my next Tejon hunt.

It shouldn't be real hot yet up there sicnce it's higher than the valley floors.

[Floatuber]

Hey Bubba,
### It looks like I am all ready for the hunt in June. ###I'll be looking for ya up there. ###I'll be towing a dark green Jeep Wrangler behind a White Pace Arrow motorhome. ###I am planning on getting up there before noon on Friday and getting my vehicle fire certification. ###I am just traveling from Orange County, so it'll be a short 2-3 hour drive. ###It's going to be a long nine days before I go.

See ya, Floatuber

[bubba]

Floatuber,
I'm planning on setting up near the back area as described in previous hunts. ###I'll be rolling in early also. ###Plan to be there before gates open. ###See you in Seven days....

(Edited by bubba at 2:47 pm on May 31, 2002)

[bubba]

In five days I will be watching the gates open at this time. ###5 days to go. ###IF 10 day forcast holds up, it seems that we should be ok:

Fri
Jun 7 ### ### ###Partly Cloudy ### ### 72°F ### ### 48°F ###
###UV Index: 10+ Extreme ### ### ###

Sat
Jun 8 ### ### ###Partly Cloudy ### ### 70°F ### ### 48°F ###
###UV Index: 10+ Extreme ### ### ###

Sun
Jun 9 ### ### ###Partly Cloudy ### ### 70°F ### ### 47°F ###
###UV Index: 10+ Extreme ### ### ###

[limit7]

Does anyone know if the hunt filled up yet?

[One Track]

Bubba; ###You're not excited are you? ###

Limit7: ###You can call Barbara at 661-663-4288 and ask her if there are any spots available. ###I'm pretty sure that there are. ###

[300BOSS2]

Excited..hmmm...the fact that you guys did so well...the oppurtunity to hunt a ranch of this magnitude for such a low price...being able to be outdoors enjoying nature and the company of fellow hunters...the oppurtunity to harvesting an animal with such fortitude and will...going over my list of things not to forget about 20 times already...going to the range and shooting my rifle everyother day (found a range on the way home from work)...calling my hunting buddy everyday talking about hunt...pouring over all the post to plan my hunt...

maybe just a little...

[One Track]

No doubt! ###Have a great time!

If you have two-way radios, take 'em. ###They work great for hunting that ranch, and you can coordinate whose going into town for more beer. ###

"Pig Dog, Pig Dog, this is Pork Popper, do you copy? Over."

[rusman66]

Hope you all have a great time, its an incredible ranch. ###Shoot em close to the truck!!
one of those flashlights you wear on your head comes in real handy when its getting dark and you need your hands free to gut that pig.

(Edited by rusman66 at 1:41 am on June 6, 2002)

[grtwythunter]

### Good luck guys! If you have half as good of a time as we had in May, you'll be having too much fun. Heed rusman66's advice....he was an unlucky participant in getting 3 pigs out that were nowhere near a road.
### rusman-save your money so we can hook up for a POR after deer season, so I can help drag your pig out. No more "collecting" pig tags!!!!

Good luck..........Scott

[Speckmisser]

This time tomorrow you guys will be chomping at the bit and ready to storm the gates! ###Woohoo! ###Wish I could be there too.

Hey Rusman, like Scott said... ###plan on a hunt next season, after the deer and ducks have gone out. ###My brother is planning to fly out and do another one too, and we owe you a hand (or two!). ###

[One Track]

Good luck y'all. ###Have a blast. ###Be like Speck and GrtWyt - get up and out early. ###Be in the ready position before light. ###

I'm planning on doing the February '03 POR for sure, if there is one. ###Would be great to have you guys there too. ###The hogs were out all day in February, as it was much cooler. ###We actually took one hog at noon and another around 11am. ###

[bubba]

Thanks for all advice and tips.

I know I'll have a good time out hunting, maybe I'll get a bonus also (pig). ###

Fri
Jun 7 ### ### ###Mostly Sunny ### ### 72°F ### ### 49°F ###
###UV Index: 10+ Extreme ### ### ###

Sat
Jun 8 ### ### ###Partly Cloudy / Wind ### ### 66°F ### ### 44°F ###
###UV Index: 10+ Extreme ### ### ###

Sun
Jun 9 ### ### ###Partly Cloudy ### ### 62°F ### ### 44°F ###

[rusman66]

I am already planning on going next year. I plan on having at least one of my brothers along next time. ###I look forward to hunting with you guys again. ###
Hey Phil what did you decide on the 44 ammo? which did a better job, the partitions you used or the ammo your bro Scott used.

Hey Scott did you decide to get those heads mounted?


(Edited by rusman66 at 9:14 pm on June 6, 2002)

[Speckmisser]

Rus,

Maybe we should go ahead and start a thread for next year's PORs. ###:)

I think I'm gonna stick with the regular green-box Remington rounds that my brother used in the future. ###I still have half a box of the partitions, so I'll keep using them 'til they're gone. ###But after seeing what that Remington JSP did to my brother's pig, I don't see a need for any more than that... and at half the cost of the partitions... ###

And just to keep on topic... ###Bubba, keep us posted. ###We're sure looking forward to living vicariously through your pix!

[grtwythunter]

Russ- I got the go ahead from the boss to get them mounted.(actually she said I could do whatever I wanted with mine, but I better get hers to the taxidermist soon) My deer from last season will be done in the next month or so. I'll drop them off when I pick him up. ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### Scott

[1SoCalHunter]

Good luck guys, stay safe and bring some meat and pictures back :smile-yellow:

[1SoCalHunter]

I am anxious to hear some reports from the boys on this hunt, come on guys, hurry up and get home with the meat!!:smile-big-blue::smile-big-blue: By the way, when would the bar-b-que be??:smile-big-blue::smile-big-blue:

(Edited by 1SoCalHunter at 11:22 am on June 9, 2002)

[Floatuber]

Let me be the first to say that this weekend's hunt was very successful!:smiley-thumbs-up: I met two new hunting partners Jesse (Bubba) and Rich. ###We all worked it very hard each day. ###We have plenty of pictures and stories to tell. ###I am looking forward to my next hunt with them. ###I am working on my adventure story and will post it with pics tomorrow. ###Thanks again Jesse (Bubba) and Rich. It was a great time. I hope you both had a safe trip home. ###Floatuber

[300BOSS2]

Just finished getting everything cleaned up. ###Got home safe, but very tired and sore already. ###Pics and story coming soon. ###Floatuber, it was an honor hunting with you and hope to hunt with you again soon. ###I'm glad my plan of attack worked out after initially getting lost, but it all was part of the plan, wink wink...

I need to get some rest...I'll post my story and pics tomorrow.

For now, know that JHP hunters had 100% success in June POR...

(Edited by 300BOSS2 at 10:26 pm on June 9, 2002)

[Speckmisser]

WOOHOO!!! ###That's what I was hoping to hear! ###Way to go! ###:toast-yellow:

[One Track]

Good job guys!!! ###Can't wait to hear the details.

[gwhunter69]

<font face="Arial"></font>Yes, Jesse (AKA Bubba), Floatuber and I (Rich) had a great hunt this weekend. Surprisingly, I am not sore from all that hiking and dragging of pigs out of canyons. ###:hair-raisin: I will post my story after Jesse posts his story...so we can get our lies straight. Just kidding. ###Look forward to seeing your 'versions' Jesse and Floatuber. :rofl

(Edited by gwhunter69 at 9:53 am on June 10, 2002)


(Edited by gwhunter69 at 10:02 am on June 10, 2002)

[1SoCalHunter]

Let's hear it! I have been anxious all weekend long to hear the stories and see the pictures. ###Where did you guys hunted on the Tejon, on the upper part or on the bottom part?

[One Track]

C'mon, let's hear the story. ###Are guys just teasing us, or what? ###Give it up!

[gwhunter69]

Sorry, not trying to tease...I am writing mine right now...will post in a half hour or so...

[bubba]

Ok here it goes. ###

Day 1. ###

Arrived at Tejon main office to check in around 11:00. ###Waited for our turn at went through the process with Barbara, also met Sandi. ###Both nice people. ###Did not meet Dan until we checke dout Sunday. ###All very nice people.

Did the exhaust inspection. ###Actually, as soon as he seen that I was driving a Turbo Diesel, it was an automatic pass. ###Not sure why, didn't ask. ###GOt to gate at 11:55 am. ###We were about the 25th car in line. ###There was a group of around 15 people going into the south area. ###Doug visited with them while waiting in line.

Gates opened right at 12:00 noon. ###We drove to the camp site. ###Our initial location was not good. ###Apparently, past hunters left their pig parts behind and really stunck up the place. ###It was not in the back area, so I know it wasn't JHPers. ###We ran into Doug at this point and decided to set up camp across road where it was more pleasant.

Heres our small group L-R ### Me, Rich, Doug


http://users3.ev1.net/~300boss/jhp crew.jpg


We left for the area that was talked about in the may hunt up the property just north of Bear Trap Canyon. ###We drove the ridge road to look for sign and animals. ###It was in the upper 80's this day and we did not expect to see anything until later in the day. ###When we reached the top. ###A minimal road split to the left and the main road kept going. ###Most people were going striaght up the road. ###So, we decided to check road off to left. ###There were two canyons to right of road that looked promising with a ridge raod seprating them. ###I walked down the ridge road to check it out. ###We then went back the other road to look at it. ###There were some nice open spots. ###We seen a couple of people driving along there. ###Doug's GPS showed a spring past two huge tanks on top. ###So, we decided to walk down towards the spring and set up. ###We found the spring and set up to watch the area for evening. ###Saw a coyote about 400 yards off, tempted, but I was hunting pig. ###Evening came and we decided to go back to camp, ran into three more coyotes, but they eluded us, no shot. ###We got back to camp and did not seem to encouraged about our scouting trip. ###I decide dthat we would hunt the two smaller canyons off the minimal road in the morning, then try the area HOOK got his pig in the evening. ###We all agreed to get up at 3:30 to be out there before sun up.


(Edited by bubba at 11:04 am on June 10, 2002)

[1SoCalHunter]

GW:
You better hurry up, because I am going to lunch in about 30 minutes :big-grin-aqua:.

[1SoCalHunter]

All right Jesse started it! So, you guys hunted to top area of the Tejon (Where Bear trap canyon is) or the bottom part of the canyon (where you are close to the flats leading to the Grapevine)?
And where are the pictures of the hogs?
Congratulations guys, great to hear that you all got pigs. ###By the way, when is the bar-b-q?

[gwhunter69]

OK, here is my story. ###Jesse, Floatuber and I had scouted out an area recommended to us by another member on Friday afternoon and evening and did not see a thing. ###We were a little a little down because we did not see a whole lot of fresh sign either. ###But, Jesse and Floatuber did find a ridge that overlooked some good areas on both sides. ###So, we agreed we would try that ridge in the morning and it did not pan out, then we would scout for a different place.

We arrived on the ridge at "O dark hundred." ###Floatuber and I set up one side of the ridge that overlooked some rolling valleys fairly densely populated with oak trees and Jesse set up on the other side, which was steeper and the overlooked a large valley and adjacent ridges and had a great view (I wonder how that happened???). ###I had not been in place all of more than 20 minutes, when I heard 3 shots come from Jesse's side of the ridge. ###I sat there thinking, "Shit, Jesse, is shooting up a herd of pigs." ###So, I waited to see if anything comes running my way, but nothing did. ###About 3-5 minutes, I heard a single shot coming from sounded like my side of the ridge, so I figured that was the 'kill shot.' ###So I packed up my stuff and went to help drag the pig back to the truck.

I found Jesse wandering around on top of the ridge. ###He said he shot at one, but it got away. ###I will let him tell that story...(1st part)

[One Track]

Oh, you guys are just killing us here. ###So we're up to the first half hour of Saturday morning. Next....

[Floatuber]

Once we got settled on Friday, we were on the trails by 2:00. ###We worked it pretty hard scouting canyons and staking out springs all to no avail. :shake-head-blue: That evening Jesse (Bubba) suggested we get out early the next morning and head back to an area that we had seen quite a bit of fresh sign. ### We were up at 3:30, and on the road by 4:00. ###When we got to the ridge we parked the truck and jeep and hiked down in the abyss. ###We split up at a saddle of ridges and head into different sections of the canyon. ###By the time I got to a good vantage point of the canyon walls and valleys it was dawn. ###I found a good spot next to a large oak and started glassing the canyon. ###Within 30 minutes 4 shots rang out over the ridge. ###I was sure that Jesse and Rich were into it good. ###I stayed in my position and within a couple minutes I heard some crashing through the brush and trees. ###Since I had seen quite a few deer, I thought it may be a deer or hopefully a pig. ###As I looked up the canyon one lone hog was running at a full clip. ###I grabbed my rifle and was tracking it through the trees and decided to take my shot when it reached a clearing. ###As soon as it reached the clearing it started walking. It was about 100 yds standing broadside. ###I dropped it with the first shot through the lungs. ###Luckily a tree was 20' behind that stopped it from rolling to the bottom.:smiley-thumbs-up:P.S. the term "hellhole" for those canyons is an understatement. ###See first set of photos here

http://community.webshots.com/user/floatuber

(Edited by Floatuber at 11:44 am on June 10, 2002)

[bubba]

Day 2:

We head out for the small canyons at 4:00 am. ###We get there about 4:40 am .. ###We walk out and I realize we have walked to far. ###It was dark and my light was not to helpful. ###We walk back and find the fence gate and walk down onto the ridge road seperating the two canyons. ###I put rich onto the southern canyon up a little higher where he can have a good vantage point looking down to the bottom of the canyon under the trees. ###Further down, I had Doug go to a finger looking down the same canyon. ###I went over the ridge road to watch the other canyon. ###We set up right at day light. ###I sat down under a tree. ###After about two minutes, I notice huge ants crawling all over me. ###I dust them off and move to another tree. ###I did not like the vantage, so I decide to go over to an outcropping to get a better view of the canyon. ###I could see good from here and noticed some open areas down below with a jeep trail going through them. ###One small open area was about 100 yards out, the other big open area would be at about 1500 yards. ###There was lots of cover and the upper ridge road had lots of hair on the fence. ###So, I figured this canyon would be a decent bet. ### I sit down and start glassing. ###I notice something big and black about 1000 yards out near big area in some trees. ###My gears start rolling once I figured out it was a pig and not a cow. ###I was planning my stalking strategy when I hear something moving through the grass straight behind me. ###I slowly twist around and see something moving towards me brownish in color. ###I get my rifle andtwist back again. ###As soon as I get the cross hairs on the thing (at this point, I'm assuming its a coyote and was going to shoot something) I notice its a pig all by itself. ###I shoot right away ( irushed it) and missed. ###Damn it. ###I stand up and shoot three more times at it. ###I know I missed becasue I would have knocked it over if I had hit it (shooting 300 Win Mag) Four shots and I missed, I was bumming...:shootin:

My last shot appeared to have sent it over the ridge towards Rich and Doug. ###I hear no shots though. ###I run up and meet Rich and ask if he seen it, ###he answers no. ###He thinks he hears four shots, the last one about 5 mins after three. ###We initially thought all four were mine, but that last one was DOug, which I did not hear. ###My legs were all wobbly at this point from the excitement. (see Doug's post above)

Well we thought it sneaked by us and I took Rich to outcropping where I was sitting at. ###I showed him where I seen the first pig down the canyon (which was gone by now) and where the other one was that I missed. ###He was at about 30 yards. (Don't rush a shot boys and girls when your not in a good position) (But this miss was crucial as we will soon find out) ###AT this point I'm doubting my rifle also. ###WE sit and five minutes later we notice a pig in the big open about 1500 yards away. ###four little ones follow behind it, then four more big ones behind them. ###Nine. ###It was a hot bed down there. ###I tell Rich to run up to main ridge and cut them off, ###I'll give him 15 minutes and try to get Doug also, ###We had watched them walk into some trees and I would then go down and herd them up to Rich and hopefully Doug. ###After 15 minutes a walk down to the Jeep trail and will make my way to the ###big open. ###I make it to the small open I mentioned earlier (about 150 yards into walk) and then look look up to see something big an dblack about 45 paces in fornt of me crossing the jeep trail. ###I bring up my gun and methodically (this time) flip open scope covers, put safety in fire, aim then shoot. ###I notice hoves in air and thought (redemption, I was thinkning that I would not get another chance after missing that first one). ###I go to edge of trail and notice the sow about 10 yards off the road where she rolled down. ###SHe was twitching and I decided to let it twitch a little more before going down (big mistake) ###I whistle to see if I can get Rich to come back, at this the pig starting thrashing and up and over it started to roll down...Nooooooooo.... ###I run down and it goes into some tresss where the grade go treally steep. ###I hear leaves and twigs crashing and the "Hell Hole" comment creeps into my head, but the sounds stops suddenly. ###I go into trees and the hog was stopped by a tree and some branches. ###Past the tree, all down hill for about another 100 yards at least. ###Phew, well this is what I would call a "semi hell hole". ###I dress it and go back up to get the guys. ###I make it to the lower ridge road and Doug is driving down, he tells me he shop one and it ends up being the one I missed and it did end up gonig down btween Rich and Doug, and that last shot Rich heard was Doug's shot. ###Again, I'll let him tell that part. ###He gives me a ride back up to my truck to get my game cart, ###I pick up Rich and we head doen to get Dougs pig first... It was rough, but the cart made all the difference: ###Here is Doug with his pig...(107 lbs dressed )


http://users3.ev1.net/~300boss/doug pig 1.jpg


We then try and go to drive down to my pig but the road was blocked. ###We then start walking down with cart and notice that the road was really steep and it would be really tough since I was pretty sure my pig was bigger. ###Doug decides to see if he can get through from other side of canyon and leaves us. ###Rich and myself manage to get the pig half way up the grade towards jeep trail when Doug shows up and helps us the rest of the way up. ###It was only about 30 yards from where the pig was to the road, but it was steep. ###Doug ended up about 70 yards from us where another tree blocked the road, but it was all down hill from us to his Jeep. ###That was better. ###We take both hogs back to weigh station. ###I'm thinking my pig wighed at least 1000 pounds...Man is it heavy going up hill...ended up being 135 dressed out...nice meat hog... he she is:


http://users3.ev1.net/~300boss/my pig 1.jpg
http://users3.ev1.net/~300boss/my pig 2.jpg

Well, after hanginf and skinning, we decide to put Rich into the big opening in that canyon since we seen quite a few pigs walk through there that moring. ###We get him in there around 5:00 pm ###We hear a shot at around 7:00 pm and Rich gets on radio and excitedly tells us he got. ###By the way, he also shot it near a road as instructed. ###Thanks Rich. ###Rich will tell his story:

Here is Rich's:


http://users3.ev1.net/~300boss/rich pig 2.jpg


It was a great hunt. ###I think my missing the pig put everything else into place. ###We would not have sit down and watched thos other pigs crossing which led to the other events. ###So, overall we were all very happy, tired and hurting, but happy.

Doug, it was a pleasure.. Hope to hunt together soon again. ###

JHPers, thanks for all the advice...would not have been possible wihtout you.

14 pigs were taken friday evening, most in Bear Trap Canyon. ###One guy shot one from camp. ###No pigs taken between our pigs on saturday. ###We did see some come in after we checked Richs in.

Looking forwards to next hunt.

(Edited by bubba at 11:58 am on June 10, 2002)


(Edited by bubba at 11:58 am on June 10, 2002)

[gwhunter69]

Hey Jesse...cannot see your pics..

Anyways...So, Jesse tells me that he was watching another pig across that valley when the one he shot at showed up. ###So, I said show me where. ###So, we head over to where he was sitting and points out the clearing where he glassed the pig. ###It was about a 1,000 meters from where we were sitting. ###So, we are sitting there not more than five minutes, and four pigs come walking into the clearing. ###We were sitting there discussing and looking at them, when five more follow them out of the trees. ###So, Jesse decides that I should go up on the ridge above them and he would try to flush them up to me. ###It took me 20 minutes to hustle up to the ridge above them. ###As soon as I get settled, I hear a single shot from below. ###I knew what I meant…so I kicked back and waited for some pigs to show up or for them to come pick me up. ###Sure enough, Jesse comes driving up and says that both him and Floatuber got one. ###I will let them tell their stories.

So, we head down to retrieve the pigs. ###Jesse and Floatuber got their vehicles as close as possible, but it was nowhere near close enough.

[gwhunter69]

OK, Jesse finished of the story quite nicely, so I will skip to when I shot mine.

Well, Floatuber and Jesse had already gotten their pigs and I am in a near panic because I know damn good and well they did not want to get up at 3:30 again. ###Frankly, neither did I! ###So, we decided that I would hike down into the canyon and set up near the opening where we saw the nine pigs that morning. ###They were going to wait at the top of the ridge and help me carry out my pig if I got one.

I am hiking down into the canyon very slowly and quietly in case I get lucky and run into one. ###I was so quiet I snuck up on a doe sitting in the middle of a small patch of grass. ###I tried to sneak by her since she was not in my path, but she eventually heard me and hopped off quite loudly. ###I set up on the edge of the opening where we saw the nine pigs (about 30 yards off the jeep trail) and put my back up against a log. ###I was sitting there for about an hour, when a "chirping rat" (ground squirrel) started sounding the "danger call." ###I was extremely annoyed so I jumped up to find and shoot the little bastard. ###But, I thought better of it and decided to move, plus I could not find him…LOL

I moved to the other side of the jeep trail, but I was still on the same side of the field. ###I leaned up a rock and started to wait and pray. ###I heard what sounded like I vehicle driving around, so I got on the radio to make sure Jesse and Floatuber did not leave my ass. ###They basically told me to "hurry up." ;o) About 45 minutes later, something moved in the corner of my eye. ###I looked over and there was a pig walking right by where I had been sitting. ###She parallel with me, turned and looked right at me and put here nose in the air. ###I raised my rifle, scoped her and debated whether or not to shoot her in the chest or wait until she turned again. ###She made up my mind for me. ###She turned back the way she came and I shot. ###She let out a huge squeal that was frankly quite unnerving and fell. ###Not a big pig but she dressed out at 94 pounds. ###

[1SoCalHunter]

I love it when a plan comes together! It seems like a great hunt and that you guys had lots of fun, congratulations to you 3 and I look forward to a future JHP hunt so that I can participate.

[bowhunting fool]

Yeah that squeel is like nothing I heard before, They holler to high heaven, hell I know I would if a high powered rifle round just punched through me, given the fact I still had lungs to blow air from. Great stories glad to hear you were all successful. ###Usually a screaming pig is a barbecue pig at least from what I have seen.

[bubba]

BTW: ###I was shooting a Winchester M70 Classic STainless 300 Win Mag with BOSS

150 gr Power Points. ###I hit my pig in the right shoulder which shattered bone ligaments and everything else. ###It exited from left neck area which bled her out. ###Lungs and heart untouched. ###

I manged to save a few scraps from right shoulder and made some chile verde this morning for lunch. ###Yum yum, very tasty. ###My last pig was a little ( OK, alot gamey) my wife will be pleasantly surprised with this sow. ###We all shot sows.

[One Track]

Right on! ###Great job guys. ###Glad you all scored, and had fun. ###Sounds like you guys stuck to a plan, and it really paid off. ###Thanks for the stories.

I can't wait until the next trip. DEFINITELY the February hunt. Any takers? ###

Congratulations!!!

[Floatuber]

When we weighed in Rich's pig Sat. nite, Barbara had said that the next POR was supposed to be in December. ###If so, I'm there. ###Floatuber

[rusman66]

Excellent hunting guys and nice pigs. Thanks for the play by play. ###Sounds like a real good time was had by all.

[One Track]

Float: ###Did Barbara mention exact dates for the Dec. POR? ###Gotta work it out with deer season. ### Thanks.

[bubba]

I'll be winding down from Deer and Elk hunting and winding up for ducks. ###Not sure if Dec. will work for me. ###We'll see...

One Track...the premise of our plan came from you guys. ###So, thanks again to everyone.

[1SoCalHunter]

Hey Bubba, do you still have some of that "chile verde" left? I am personally a big fan of it, it's delicious.
And as I said before I am looking forward to ANY future JHP hunts. ###Once again guys, congratulations to you 3 for a job well done!

[Floatuber]

One Track,

No, Barbara didn't mention a date, but she did say that we are all the mailing list since we hunted there already. ###So if a mailer comes out for it to all previous hog hunters, it may fill up fast. ###Thanks again for all the heads up One Track, your advice due to your POR experience really paid off.

Floatuber

[Speckmisser]

One Track, et al...

I believe I'm up for a February POR. ###At least, I'm definitely up for one next year. ###

Not sure, but it seems to me that the better success ratio has come in the late spring/summer hunts. ###Anybody got stats to dispute or support this? ###

Bubba and company..

Great hunt and great stories! ###That place is a wonder, no? ###Can't wait to get back out there again!

[Rick]

Hey, 1SoCalHunter - where are you at in West Covina? ###I lived there for years, off Amar, between Azusa and Nogales.

[grtwythunter]

Great job guys!!! Glad to hear you all had a blast and filled your freezers. I'm looking at going back either in Feb or March. ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### Scott

[One Track]

Speck and Da Boys: ###

Don't have any official success rates by month. However, I personally had great results on two May hunts, and one Feb hunt. ###Now we know that June is dang good too. ###Or, June really sucks, but Float, Bubba, and GWHunter are exceptional hunters. ###

I'm definitely in for February, and May (or June.) ###Kinda early to start packing the truck. But it sure is fun to daydream.

Okay, get back to work!

[1SoCalHunter]

Rick:
I live just a few blocks east of the DMV on Cameron and Glendora. ###I have been living in West Covina for the past 7 years and pretty happy :smile-blue

[gwhunter69]

One track: "Now we know that June is dang good too. ###Or, June really sucks, but Float, Bubba, and GWHunter are exceptional hunters." ###I don't know about any official stats yet, but there were 38 guys in the south area. ###My pig was #17 and there were at least 2 more coming in that we knew of and that was 9PM Saturday night. ###So, that is at least 50%, by Sat. night. ###That is not bad.

(Edited by gwhunter69 at 8:15 am on June 11, 2002)

[bowhunting fool]

I think for the price an unguided hunt on the tejon ranch is exceptionally good as I have hunted pigs all over this great state and yet to find a place that consistantly produces pigs for the weekend hunter like the Tejon ranch, they will definitly get my return business, and I may someday try for an Elk or deer tag there as well ,I saw them on the ranch when I was there in May,and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful especially ###Don Gievet, Ron gayer, and barbara. I still have several nice Hog roasts in the freezer and I love to reminice about that great hunt as I eat my pork from the grill. I also think all of you guys on this page who help everyone out even newcomers are one hell of a bunch of good guys and hunters, and would hunt with any of you any time so keep up the good work and the camaraderie, as you all probably know we hunters need to stick together to protect our great sport and way of life from those who do not understand what it is like to smell the mountain breeze as you glass for your trophy buck or hog, or the feeling of that first deer or elk on the meat pole. I am Glad to have met a lot of you and look forward to meeting some more of you guys on future hunts. Lets stick together guys and we could change opinions on how the antis perceive us, as we are not killers but keepers of the game and the land. Thats why they call it hunting and not killing. just my thoughts, have a great day all.

[jrifenbark]

I completely agree with Bowhunting Fool, and I think that I speak for all of the Rifenbarks when I say that we would not have expanded into pig hunting if it were not for JHP. ###After the April hunt, in which JHP was only 2/9 and the ranch was 24/60 overall, we have been thinking of partaking in more JHP hunts. ###Namely, coyote. ###We weren't able to make the last hunt for many different reasons.

December is a little close to final exams but I think I could take a weekend off.

[EVAN III]

### ### ###Dec might be good, depending on how the weather is looking. I'd hate to try a drag one of those piggies up a muddy hill (hell hole). Well glad you guys had fun and were succussful. After the april POR and only seeing one pig, I feel I have to redeem myself. Either way Tajon is a great place, I hope to get back over there sometime soon

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###EVAN III