I hunt pigs a fair amount in California. The guides are raising their prices because guys are willing to pay it. I recently called the guide I normally use and he informed me his rates had gone up another $150 for a two day hunt. I told him “no thanks” and that was that. Called another guy who offers the same hunt for less. I get it, prices on everything goes up, but it’s getting out of hand. Honestly, on the good ranches you normally tag out the first day. Just a few years ago it was normal to pay between $500-$600 for a 2 day hunt. Now it’s around $800 way up to some crazy prices I’ve seen like $1600. I still go and have managed to find some ranchers who guide part time to make weekend money and don’t charge the really high prices, but it’s still more than it used to be and that means I go less and I can see a day where I don’t hunt pigs at all if the prices keep going up every single year. All that said, it is incredibly fun. People who compare Texas or Florida to California pig hunting don’t get that shooting fenced in pigs over a pile of corn isn’t as fun as glassing free range pigs in big open country and stalking them. The ones from California taste better too as they are on a much cleaner diet eating mostly acorns, barley and wine grapes from the vineyards. I’m hunting them in a couple days and can’t wait. You can get it done in a few places on public but you’ll need to spend time (multiple trips) and hunt in the wet months. I wouldn’t even bother hunting public when it’s hot out....they aren’t there.
