I spent a considerable amount of time researching California pig hunting outfitters before deciding…read moreto book with Schmidt Guide Service, and I'm glad I did. For the price, nearly everything is included except food, making it an excellent value. Our group of four booked approximately six months in advance. I highly recommend reviewing their website beforehand, as it answers most common questions and provides a clear understanding of what to expect. About a week before our hunt, Sarah reached out to confirm our arrival and finalize details.
Hunters can check into the lodge by noon the day before their scheduled hunt. Due to scheduling constraints within our group, the guides arranged for us to head out the same day we arrived at 2 PM. Upon arrival, Sarah was there waiting for us, handled check-in efficiently, completed paperwork, and provided our lodge key.
The hunting lodge itself is a nostalgic home built in 1936 on roughly half an acre. You can feel the history the moment you walk in, reinforced by decades of photos displayed throughout the house. The lodge includes everything needed for a comfortable stay: a full kitchen stocked with cookware, plates, silverware, and essentials; a dining room; living room; four bedrooms; and 1 1/2 bathrooms. The bedrooms comfortably accommodate up to eight hunters. Outside, there's a fire pit, horseshoe pit, and seating area to unwind after a day in the field. Off to the side of the property sits an old-school saloon, butcher area, and walk-in meat locker, all adding to the unique experience.
Now for the best part: our guides, Luke and his son Josh. From the start, both were friendly, professional, and welcoming. The ranch we hunted was about 25 minutes from the lodge. I was paired with Luke in his UTV, and his experience was immediately obvious. Having guided with Schmidt for 32 years, his skill and knowledge are impressive. His ability to spot hogs without binoculars or spotting equipment was unbelievable.
We encountered our first group of hogs around 4 PM, and two members of our party successfully harvested by 4:20 PM. Luke quickly field dressed the hogs, and we were back hunting in no time. Later that day, Luke located another group, allowing our third hunter to harvest before the end of day one.
The following morning, Luke and Josh were ready to go by 5 AM sharp. Not long into the hunt, Luke spotted a sizable boar, and our fourth hunter successfully harvested him just after 8 AM.
After returning to the lodge, Luke and Josh immediately got to work skinning and preparing the hogs for processing. Their efficiency and expertise were impressive. By 11 AM, everything was packed on ice and our group was ready to head home.
Our experience with Schmidt Guide Service was outstanding from start to finish. Luke and Josh are tremendous assets to the operation and truly made the trip memorable for our group. If you're considering a guided pig hunt in California, I would absolutely book with them again.