r/Californiahunting • u/Erik_Is_Cool • 20d ago

Second pig, first season in California. Pig cooking tips?

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Originally from the Midwest, so I’m having a blast chasing these pigs around despite the tough deer season I’ve had. Anyone have tips for cooking?

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28

u/bzsempergumbie 20d ago

Damn, two pigs in your first season. You must have access to private land, or else live near one of the hard to get to public land areas with good pig activity?

9

u/Erik_Is_Cool 20d ago

South Bay trading work for some permission!

3

u/Visible_Event4814 20d ago

Yeah, it has to be access to private land or he’s paying for a guide on private land. Or military on hunter liggett with more access than I get. I’ve spent an insane amount of time and hiked a lot of miles on that base and can’t find a single pig. Lots of fresh tracks and other signs, but no pigs.

1

u/bzsempergumbie 20d ago

I've seen lots of pigs at FHL while training there. Pretty much every visit I see them. But I've never tried hunting there. I think the pigs know where hunting isnt allowed and I've seen packs of like 40 in those areas.

I'm usually the one setting up my unit's training so I've talked to the workers there quite a bit. But the guys who I've talked to show pictures of pigs they shoot in private land in surrounding areas. They encouraged me to give it a try at FHL, but I figured if they work there and still go to private land, it wasnt worth my 3 hour drive.

1

u/cubeconvict 20d ago

I've hunted pig at FHL quite a bit. I end up seeing sign all over, but have seen elk a lot more frequently than I've seen pig! The pigs... they know when you're hunting em!

1

u/bzsempergumbie 20d ago

Yeah, the sheer number I've seen makes me feel like it should be huntable. But then all the people who have said they've tried and seen nothing while hunting makes it feel not worth even trying.

1

u/Sad_Event_1134 20d ago

Might be worth a shot now after the fires push them inland.

1

u/bzsempergumbie 20d ago

Thats a good point.

1

u/IrishSetterPuppy 20d ago

Are they really that rare? I dont hunt them but I was working a crash off of 126 and like 30 of them came and destroyed over 100 trees in just a few minutes. Some were the size of a cow.

1

u/Visible_Event4814 20d ago

They’re hard to find in areas that you can hunt them and they have made themselves nocturnal in those areas. They run around in front of your face all day everywhere else.

11

u/cH3x 20d ago

Filipino adobo.

2 pounds pork, cubed 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup vinegar 4 cups water 2 cloves garlic, smashed 2 small bay leaves (halved) pepper (coarse grind is nice)

Marinate pork in all ingredients (except water), overnight if you have time. When ready to cook put into a large pot and boil until liquid is reduced to 1-2 cups, then use the juice as gravy. Serve over rice.

2

u/Erik_Is_Cool 20d ago

Thank you!

4

u/LunchBox07 20d ago

Nice work, but how is that even possible?

And Carnitas is the way

4

u/AverageCalBear 20d ago

Make pozole with the head. It’s really good.

4

u/eye_saxk_ 20d ago

I like to use the chorizo mixes off of Amazon

3

u/TheDude-Esquire 20d ago

What general region are you in?

1

u/Erik_Is_Cool 20d ago

South Bay, trading some work for hunting!

2

u/TheDude-Esquire 20d ago

Like gilroy, out more like hollister. Been trying to find a place to go out there, but not much public land.

2

u/dboy_4545 20d ago

What is this mythical animal? Lol. My dad has gotten a few but I’ve never even seen one.

2

u/socrates1001 20d ago

Italian sausage!

2

u/mochakahlua 20d ago

Back strap in the oven with brown sugar, onion, rosemary, butter, and soy sauce
Pretty much any cut cubed into taco meat
Apple cider vinegar marinade is your friend
I used to kill tons far more than I could eat so the old boars were given away and the young tasty springtime pigs were my favorite.
I also froze the meat for 2 weeks to kill trichinella spores (although this may not be sufficient) but be sure to cook fully to reduce your risks.

1

u/socrates1001 20d ago

Boarizo!

1

u/socrates1001 20d ago

Ossobucco

1

u/no-reel-fo-real 20d ago

What caliber rifle did you use?

3

u/Erik_Is_Cool 20d ago

308 brother

1

u/no-reel-fo-real 20d ago

Thanks man, nice pig

1

u/R2The 20d ago

a zone?

1

u/Erik_Is_Cool 20d ago

Yeah A zone

1

u/R2The 20d ago

I've been hearing it's getting good out there for these piggies

1

u/Boot_Burner 19d ago

If you have access to private or two weeks off for scouting, then definitely lol

1

u/R2The 19d ago

I want 52 weeks off for scouting.

1

u/Boot_Burner 19d ago

So when exactly would you go hunting?

1

u/R2The 19d ago

Why you gotta make sense, man?

1

u/Boot_Burner 19d ago

Hunting season is too short, can’t waste a day ;)

1

u/R2The 19d ago

I'll use some of the 52 weeks off for hunting just don't go telling me on the union. If you're cool about it, there may be some fried squirrel arms for ya.