Hunter Liggett Renewal Notice

[Fubar]

Just talked to one of my huntin buddies and he said he got his Annual Pass renewal notice in the mail today from Fort Hunter Liggett. The notice said as of June 1st the store and campground will be closed. The hunting program will remain as it has been with the exception that permits will no longer be sold at the Campground Store. They can now only be purchased by mail. This includes weekend permits. ### ### ### ### ### ###Fubar

[Richard Webb]

Thanks for the info. ###Purchasing permits by mail is okay, but I'll really miss the campground. ###It was one of my favorite places.

Richard

[Fubar]

I would like to know why this was done. Maybe if we wrote enough letters we could get it reopened. ### ### ### ### ### ### ### Fubar

[Richard Webb]

I spent 3 years in the Army that included my 12 months in Nam. ###(48Q) ###There is something about them that never will add up. We have to give them credit for one thing. ###They did what the Army does best, and over ran our position. ###The campground is now secure.

Richard

(Edited by Richard Webb at 11:39 pm on May 24, 2001)

[Richard Webb]

When I woke up this morning the first thought I had was about Fort Hunter Liggett. ###That place is our prime public hog hunting area! ###I had better drive down & talk to the guys in the store. ###That's if they aren't out looking for another job today. ###I'll post what I find out when I return.

[Richard Webb]

I just returned from Fort Hunter Liggett, and everything is okay. ###That is, there are no changes in the Hunting Program, and it seems like smart hunters will purchase an Annual Permit Voucher for $70 that will be stuck on the back of their hunting license. ###The same gal will be working the window after the store & campground close on June 1st, and she wouldn't accept my $70 today. ###I don't know how they plan to keep hunters from sleeping near the check station when they arrive in the middle of the night with their prepaid vouchers? ###It may turn out to be like duck hunting where we sleep in our trucks while in line? ###I asked about a Friday afternoon check in, and that option will still be in effect. ###So, it looks like the only hunters who will get burnt are the ones who arrive at the check station expecting to plunk down $25 and go hunting. ###These guys will have to go home, mail in a Permit Voucher Request Form with $25, and then wait at least 2 weeks for it to be mailed back to them. ###I picked up a copy of the new Permit Voucher Request Form, and will mail it to Jesse. ###It says "To purchase a permit voucher, send us this form and a Money Order made out to Dept. of Treasury." If this form is posted on Jesse's Webpage, and we make sure that we send a MONEY ORDER (not a check!) there shouldn't be any problems. ###(I hope!)

P.S. ###The weather was cool, and at 2:30 PM I seen 3 trucks parked at Area 29. With the hills starting to dry I suspect that the hogs are enjoying the shallows, and these hunters are filling their freezers.

Richard ### ### ###

[spectr17]

Thanks for the update Richard. Couple of quick quesions. Is the meat locker no longer available next to the store? What is the nearest camping now, San Antonio Lake, BLM land SE of the fort or the national forest NW of the fort?

Is the fishing just by mail permit now too?

I have the old mail order annual hunting/fishing ###form online on my Cal Hog website but I think it is different then the new one. Can you send me a copy? I already mailed mine off without copying it. Email me for my snail mail addy, spectr17@yahoo.com. Thanks.

[Richard Webb]

spectra17-

There is plenty of camping in Los Padres National Forest. ###I have camped at Ponderosa a few times, and there is a nice foot trail heading south out of there. ###This is an easy trail to follow, so I can return late with a flash light. ###It give me some Friday afternoon hunting, but that area is almost sterile except for a few doves. ###Plus, it's a long drive from there down to Area 29 where the hog hunting is.

Yesterday, Lake Nacimiento Resort had a guard at the entrance stopping people from entering. ###We wanted to eat at the restaurant, but the entire resort was jammed with people. ###Also, Lake San Antonio was busy. I don't know what social problems would evolve if hunters in camo start camping next to the water skiers (drug culture)? ###

As of this year the fishing fee has been eliminated, and anglers can fish mid week which is a good opportunity to scout for hog wallows along the banks. ###We can visit up to 3 ponds a day, but must go back to register each time. ###For practical purposes, the Range Control in Bldg 320 will probably be evolved, but the paper I have here says Environmental Office Bldg 196.

I didn't ask about the meat locker, or equipment rentals.

Richard

[brknarrow]

FHL UPDATE---a letter was sent out to all fhl employees last friday stating that the store and campground will remain open.

[BigDog]

Man , I am sooooooo FHL confuuuused.....

[spectr17]

FYI on FHL,

I saw a news release from the Army Chief of Staff that said due to the military review of base security worldwide after the USS Cole bombing there would be higher levels of visitor checks at the gates. It mentioned visitors like hunters getting window stickers to speed up entry onto the army bases.

Anybody hear any word about FHL campground closing or the gate checks yet?

[Fubar]

I called the recorded information line at Hunter Liggett and it said the campground is open on a first come first serve basis, It also said the campground fee is on the Honor system. Please dont forget to pay or they may close it again.Lets keep it clean too so this doesnt give them another reason to close it. The 5 dollar fee is almost nothing and it is a great convenience to have a place to camp in this location. Thanx to all who wrote to keep it open. ### ### ### ###Fubar