Hog numbers are down throughout the heart of California’s wild hog hunting region and hunting opportunity is declining. The people who know wild hogs best -- the state’s hog hunting guides -- are ticking off three primary reasons for the declines and loss of hunter opportunity: drought-reduced food availability for wild pigs, predation on hogs, and depredation slaughter by private farmers and public agencies trying to reduce hog numbers and the impacts they have on their property.
     Hunters could be doing that last job, but the Department of Fish and Game has refused to address the key problem faced by farmers and public agencies that would allow them to use hunters as a solution.
     DROUGHT IMPACTS: “I’m just about out of the hog business,” said Gus Harden, owner of Cross Country Outfitters guide service and Shoot the Moon gun shop in Paso Robles. “We’re just not booking hunters because we don’t have the pigs right now.”
     Harden said most farmers in the Central Coast region, where the most hogs are taken each year by hunters in the state, are simply not growing barley or other crops because of drought, high fuel prices, and low grain prices. Farmers who do not have access to water for irrigation have mostly given up planting crops for at least the past two years, and dry land barley was a huge food source for Central Coast hogs.
     Operations that do have irrigated pastures have concentrated numbers of hogs and continue to have very good hunting, but this is because these areas have attracted all the hogs from a wide area. Doug Roth at Camp 5 Outfitters, also in Paso Robles, said he still had barley fields and a lot of pigs using those fields.
     “Our hunting is real good, but area-wide pig numbers are way down from what I’m hearing from other guides,” said Roth.
     PREDATION: Brady Daniels, who has dual credentials, is both a working biologist and he runs Cal-Quest Outfitters out of his Santa Maria office. He points out the overall hog decline is about more than just a shortage of forage. Yes, acorn crops have been bad for several years in many areas. Yes, the drought has cut back on wild grass and forb growth. Yes, fewer farmers are planting crops. But it’s also about predators.
     “The days of eight to 10 piglet litters are gone in some areas,” said Daniels. “The coyotes have figured it out and they pack up during piglet time and ambush them in open country. They’ve got it wired. The sows never end up with more piglets than they have legs to hide behind. I haven’t seen a sow with more than three or four piglets to wean in a long time.”
     Daniels also has a ranch with irrigated pastures and a lot of hogs, but he has reduced the number of pigs he’s shooting with clients and is focusing on the seeming surplus of mature boars in the herds he’s seeing in the Santa Ynez Valley where he hunts out of Buellton.
     Even the Department of Fish and Game’s own data show that hog harvest is down. In the ten-year period from 1995 through 2004, nearly 6,000 wild hogs per year were reported taken by hunters in California. During the following three years, 2005 through 2007, the average was 4,800 hogs per year -- a 20 percent decline.
     Both of these cycles can change with better weather and economic conditions, and pig numbers will rebound. But the last problem is the most onerous.
     HOG DEPREDATION: This problem negatively affects both hogs and hog hunters. An increasing number of farmers growing food crops are getting depredation permits for hogs and trying to wipe out whole herds. Everyone from wine grape producers to vegetable growers is on the rampage against hogs. Not only are the pigs destroying crops, but the mere possibility that wild hogs could be part of the e-coli problem that has plagued farmers in this state means simply that growers are not tolerating wild animals in their fields at all. In the past, farmers were usually been willing to let hogs or deer munch on a few heads of lettuce, spinach leaves, or grapes, but not where e-coli is concerned. An e-coli outbreak can put them out of business.
     The new zero-tolerance policy stems back to an e-coli outbreak in 2006. This event caused the death of three people and made over 200 people ill enough to be hospitalized. The outbreak was traced to a spinach field in San Benito County and most news reports placed the blame squarely on wild hogs, even though the true source of the e-coli could not be definitively determined.
     Wild hogs are also blamed for at least $1.3 million annually in crop depredations according to U.C. Davis, and even more costs because of destroyed fencing, water lines, and landscaping (think golf courses getting rooted up).
     Since the 2006 e-coli outbreak, applications for depredation permits for all big game have increased, and more and more land is being wildlife-fenced to keep all big game out.
     This restricts wildlife from some of the state’s most productive habitat (both cultivated and the adjoining natural areas also fenced). Between depredation killing and loss of habitat, many biologists believe this is the biggest part of the equation in dropping overall hog numbers and reduced hunter opportunity.
     THE HUNTER SOLUTION: You’d think that with all the problems wild hogs cause, hunters would be welcomed on these lands with open arms. But even local water agencies, cities, and counties see hunters as a bigger potential problem than the hogs, primarily because of liability concerns. A hunter who breaks his leg on a private ranch or water district ground could file a lawsuit and end up owning the ranch or getting millions of dollars in damages.
     You can place the blame squarely the DFG for hunters not being allowed on these lands and used to help public and private entities protect their property from wild hogs. If the DFG did its job effectively, they could build a partnership between hunters and these landowners, saving the wildlife habitat while providing relief from the wild hog problems. It would save the private landowners and agencies money, while generating even more income for the DFG.
     The Department collected nearly $1 million in wild hog hunting tags fees for the 2008-09 hunting season, but hog hunters get nothing in return for this contribution to the DFG. But we could and should.
     With that kind of money available from hog tags, you’d think the DFG could afford to purchase a liability insurance policy and enroll private landowners and government agencies in a program that would allow licensed hunters to participate in liability-free depredation hunts. The hog tag money would also allow them to fund two or three full-time staff people who do nothing but make these contacts, negotiate deals, and set and monitor the hunting programs.
     The DFG should refuse to give a depredation permit to any landowner or agency that could have a public hunting program. It should refuse to allow game-proof fencing that cuts off wildlife corridors and restricts access to good wildlife habitat. If it acted aggressively, it would save or generate money for everyone involved and increase opportunity for hunters in California.
     Why not use the pork to reduce the pork?

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     DECEMBER 4-5 DESERT WILDLIFE DRINKER PROJECT: Desert Wildlife Unlimited needs volunteers for desert big game drinker project to be done Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4-5 in the desert between Brawley and Blythe. Dinner will be provided Friday evening and lunch on Saturday. Four-wheel drive vehicles are required to reach the work site. All volunteers should bring water, food, hat, sun screen, work gloves, and camping gear if you spend the night. For more information and directions, contact Leon Lesicka at 760-344-2793 or e-mail DesertWildlife@aol.com.
     DECEMBER 5 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     DECEMBER 5-6 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is now having hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     DECEMBER 12 DIAMOND VALLEY LAKE CHARITY FISHING EVENT: A combination bass and trout fishing competition will be held at Diamond Valley Lake December 12 with proceeds to benefit Valley Wide Recreation, a group benefiting youth athletic and outdoor activities in the Hemet-San Jacinto area. Entry fee is $220 for bass anglers ($80 in options available) and $60 for trout anglers (or $20 for kids 15 and under). Anglers fishing this event will be the first to use the new ramp to launch private boats and fish the lake. For more information or to sign up, call Last Chance Bait and Tackle in Hemet at 951-658-7410 or to to www.lastchancebaitandtackle.com.
     DECEMBER 12 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The 2010 class dates have not be set up yet. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     DECEMBER 12-13 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar Gun Shows will be held Feb. 13-14, May 22-23, and July 17-18. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons are also available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JANUARY 2-3 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario Gun Shows will be held May 15-16 and July 31-Aug. 1. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JANUARY 9-10 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Mar. 13-14, June 5-6, Sept. 11-12, and Nov. 13-14. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     JANUARY 30-31 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa shows are scheduled for Jan. 30-31, Mar. 27-28, June 5-6, and Aug. 28-29. Information, directions, tickets, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

     For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
     For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

     The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
     976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
     CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
     CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
     CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
     CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
     DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
     GOLDEN STATE FLYCASTERS: The Golden State Flycasters and Trout Unlimited Chapter 920 meets 6 to 9 p.m. Monday before the third Thursday of each month at Tio Leo’s Restaurant, Del Mar. Information at www.goldenstateflycasters.org.
     HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
     HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
     NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or nrajrc@msn.com.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
     ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
     ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
     PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
     PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Hunny’s Restaurant, Main Street and 4th Street, Corona. Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
     REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
     RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
     SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
     SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
     TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com. The club’s web site is www.tcsportsmen.org.
     TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.

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