Special Pig Hunt Opportunity for CA Hunters
The DFG has posted the dates and application deadlines for this year’s Joice Island hog hunts. For those who’ve never hunted Joice Island, it’s a great opportunity to get onto a fairly unique piece of land and a reasonably good chance to take a hog or two in the process.
The island is pretty small, but there’s a good population of hogs there most years, living and feeding in the tule marshes and nearby farmland. I haven’t had the privilege of hunting there myself (I always forget to get my apps turned in by the deadline), but from conversations with other hunters, it can be a pretty good hunt.
Anyway, here’s the info. Don’t be like me and forget to make the deadline!
Department of Fish and Game News Release Nov. 12, 2008
Contact: Helayna Pera, Wildlife Biologist (707) 425-3828
DFG Office of Communications (916) 322-8911
DFG Announces Drawing For 2009 Joice Island Pig Hunt
The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will hold a limited-entry, permit-only pig hunt in Solano County. The hunt will help control a small population of wild pigs on the Joice Island Unit of Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Joice Island is a 2,150-acre wetland area consisting of thick cattails, tules, some brush and standing water. The first weekend of this hunting opportunity has been reserved for apprentice hunters. Two-day pig hunt permits will be issued by drawing only for the following weekends:
APPRENTICE HUNTERS (At least 12 years old w/junior license)
March 7-8, 2009
GENERAL (Adults or juniors may apply)
March 14-15, 2009
March 21-22, 2009
March 28-29, 2009
April 4-5, 2009
April 11-12, 2009
April 18-19, 2009
April 25-26, 2009
Three hunters will be drawn for each of the eight weekends for a total of 24 hunters. The drawing for the 24 two-day permits will be held on Feb. 13, 2009. Deadline to apply is Feb. 12. Permits with maps and additional information will be mailed to successful applicants. A permit holder may bring one non-hunting partner. Hunters may use dogs for this hunt. NOTE: ONLY SHOTGUNS USING SLUGS AND ARCHERY WILL BE ALLOWED FOR THIS HUNT.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT:
Send a standard postcard with the following information:
Hunter Name (Junior hunters must also provide name of adult chaperone) Valid Hunting License number
Address
City, State, Zip
Telephone Number
Hunt Date
Mail application card to: Joice Island Pig Hunt, 2548 Grizzly Island Road, Suisun, CA 94585
CHOOSE ONLY ONE HUNT DATE
Application cards must be received by close of business, Feb. 12, 2009. Each hunter may apply only one time and for only one date. Applications will be accepted for parties of up to two hunters, but the card must contain all information for both hunters. Incomplete cards and multiple entries will not be accepted. There is no fee to apply.
DFG RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THIS HUNT AND CLOSE THE AREA TO ALL PUBLIC USERS WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
What! Hunt an Island which is surrounded by water and where the animals have no chance of escaping from me except to swim for it?
Now Phillip, That ain’t FAIRE CHASE!
November 21st, 2008 at 2:55 am
Ha!
While I recognize that your tongue is placed firmly in your cheek, I can assure you that Joice Island isn’t a traditional island, and is surrounded primarily by marsh and creeks rather than a solid body of water. Those hogs come and go freely and regularly.
But the hunt does allow dogs… how fair is that?
November 21st, 2008 at 6:26 am
The place actually looks like fun to hunt, the description reminds me a little bit of Florida Hog Hunting.
I dunno’ Phillip, you know how easy it is letting a dog do all of the work for you and then you just casually walk up and dispatch the poor, hapless and defenseless little hog.
There ought to be a law against such unfair practices as hunting with dogs!
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:43 am
I’ve duck hunted Joice Island several times, and it is a really cool little place. I have seen the pig sign, and it would definitely be a challenging hunt… even without dogs.
But as far as dogs go… that last bit isn’t even funny… facetiousness aside! Way too many people out there really buy into that line of thinking.
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:22 am
You are quite right Phillip, I guess smart alecness’ (is that a word?) is not my forte’
It is too bad that people will judge something without even knowing anything more than what they have heard or read about it!
I will try and refrain from trying to be funny!
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm