So You Wanna Be a California Hog Hunter by Night: A Hog Wild Tale (Without the Night Hunting)
Ever dreamt of facing off against a ferocious feral hog under the cloak of darkness? Channeling your inner monster hunter, with night vision goggles strapped to your head and a crossbow in hand? Well, hold your horses (or should we say, hold your hogs?), because night hunting feral pigs in California is about as likely as stumbling upon a Bigfoot convention at Disneyland.
Why No Night Vision for These Hogs?
California, the land of sunshine and movie stars, apparently frowns upon the whole "terminator vision pig takedown" scenario. Feral hogs are a serious problem in the state, causing damage to ecosystems and crops. In fact, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) would love it if you took down as many hogs as possible. But alas, they gotta see you do it the good ol' fashioned way, with the sun on your face and (presumably) a smile.
There was a glimmer of hope for aspiring nocturnal hog warriors. A bill proposed in 2022 aimed to loosen restrictions on feral hog hunting, including the possibility of night hunting. However, after some concerns and legislative wrangling, the final law (which went into effect in 2024) kept the night owl hunters grounded.
So When Can You Actually Hog It Up?
Don't fret, aspiring swine slayer! California allows feral hog hunting year-round. These hogs are basically living on borrowed time, so dawn, dusk, and even those not-so-dark evenings can be prime hog-hunting opportunities.
Here are some bonus tips to make your California hog hunting trip a success:
- Brush up on your knowledge of hog behavior. They tend to be more active in the early mornings and evenings, especially during the hot summer months.
- Find a good hunting location. Public hunting lands and private ranches with hog problems are your best bets.
- Get the proper licenses and tags. The CDFW website has all the info you need.
Hogs by Day, Fun Every Way
While you might not be able to play out your Rambo fantasies under the California night sky, there's still plenty of fun to be had in the pursuit of these pesky porkers. So grab your trusty hunting gear (minus the night vision goggles), head out into the California sunshine, and get ready for a wild hog adventure!
