YOLO COUNTY, Calif. – The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) will hold eight limited wild pig hunts at Bobcat Ranch in Yolo County from March 13 to May 2.

Offered through DFG’s Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program, a total of 48 hunters will be selected through a random drawing for an access permit to the private Bobcat Ranch property.

Each of the eight hunts will be two days and offered in the following methods: one archery hunt, one apprentice hunt and six general methods hunts.

Permit applications will be accepted for parties of up to two licensed hunters for the archery and general periods.

Applicants may apply for more than one period but will ultimately only be drawn for one. Apprentice hunters must have a 2011-12 junior hunt license to apply for the apprentice hunt.

The Bobcat Ranch is located in Yolo County’s Vaca Mountain foothills, west of Winters.

Hunting under the SHARE Program helps achieve the ranch’s long-term conservation management objectives, including providing public hunting opportunities and controlling the wild pig population.

Applications for the apprentice hunt must be received by 3 p.m. on Feb. 22, 2012.

For general and archery hunts, applications must be received by 3 p.m. Feb. 29, 2012.

More information and applications are available at: http://1.usa.gov/yhDJhD.

This opportunity was made possible by the SHARE Program, which offers incentives to private landowners who allow wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities on their property.

The goal of the SHARE Program is to provide additional hunting, fishing and other recreational access on private lands in California.

Participating landowners receive liability protection and compensation for providing public access to or through their land for recreational activities.