OT - cuz the guns were not used (SoCal hunting)

[bsaride]

Yesterday I had planned to take my niece, Katie (16 yo), out rabbit hunting for
the first time. She took her hunter safety course last month. We have been going
to the indoor range were she is doing an excellent job from a rest. In the beginning
I had her try three different guns; scoped 10/22, Marlin 39, Winchester M52. Her
choice was the M52 (1929 target rifle). She is left eye dominant and from the get-go
decided to shoot left handed. Had her look at guns at my usual gun shop and they had
a Savage MK-II left hand sporter that we put on hold. My bro (here dad) wasn't going
to shell out $210 for it. Since I have a daughter who likes to shoot (but not into 22's)
left handed, I decided I could get the rifle and have a couple of young ladies available
to shoot it for me. With Katie likeing the M52 with Lyman target sights, my next challenge
is to mount a receiver sight and globe front on the Savage (Savage offers these, but
only on the right hand drive model (bolt slot thru area normally D&T for the sights)).
Next I had to decide on whether I liked the look of the Williams WGRS-54 (basically the
only receiver sight available), well I didn't. i look around and found a new (vintage)
Redfield receiver sight that should work. No idea on front sight height so I have to mount
it and compare to stock sights before I order a front sight. So will pick up the Savage in a
week and mount the receiver sight, in two weeks Katie wants to go hunting again.That's
where we stand on the rifle (Katie is excited).

Anyhow back to yesterday, we had a nice 200 mile, 5 hour drive thru the areas I used to hunt
twenty years ago. I was amazed at how developed it had become. We actually enjoyed the
drive, mostly in the Temecula/Murrieta area. Then we stopped at an indoor range and Turner's
in Corona to do some homework for my mom (she needs a place to train/shoot/purchase a
Ruger SP101). Then headed home.

Anyone have a good rabbit hunting spot close to Orange County?
We want to shoot 22 rifles. We did learn that there are now closures in alot of areas to 22s
that are shotgun only.

[m.wun]

I think LA is the only county you cant hunt rabbits with 22.Check out Garner
Valley off hwy 74 east of Lake Hemet.Its not the best but its at 4000 ft and
cooler.There are some deer,coyotes, and bobcats.A few mountain and valley quail
also.90 min. from orange co.

[bsaride]

I think LA is the only county you cant hunt rabbits with 22.Check out Garner
Valley off hwy 74 east of Lake Hemet.Its not the best but its at 4000 ft and
cooler.There are some deer,coyotes, and bobcats.A few mountain and valley quail
also.90 min. from orange co.

m.wun,

Wow! that looks like a great spot. I have a San Berdo map and downloaded the USGS map
(if you don't know about this you can get free topo downloads from USGS. They aren't as
good as the real thing in your hands but can help in planning while you order the real ones.
I also like to take a snapshot of the specific area to carry also). Looks like I should go to
the end of the road that parallels the hwy and ends at the bottom of Fobes Canyon unless
you have a better idea.

Thanks,
Jay
(and i'm sure Katie (my niece) will thank you as well)

[JReed]

Hey check out the BLM land east of Neuvo off of the 215 just south of Paris. That is one of my favorite coyote hunting spots. There are lots of bunnys out there esspecialy since my hunting partner and I have put a huge dent in the dog population in the area . There are both coton tails and jacks if you are lucky you all might see some good size deer up there.

[Ysabel Kid]

Anyone have a good rabbit hunting spot close to Orange County?

Isn't the Playboy Mansion near there?!?

[bsaride]

Anyone have a good rabbit hunting spot close to Orange County?

Isn't the Playboy Mansion near there?!?

Yeah, but I'd want to get hassen "Hefner" out of the way so I could focus more on the bunnies.

[m.wun]

I also go too the badlands area east of Moreno Valley off of 60 and Gilman springs Rd.
Some of the washes in there hold rabbits and quail.Most coyotes I see are at 300 yards
and movin out.The place is steep with some dirt bikes on weekends but when its hot
you may be alone.One area I have been wanting to check out is the south side of
Diamond Lake.I have seen alot of critters while on the lake,but dont know if the area
is open,private or Operated by the water co.I used to work at alot of citrus farms all
over S.Cal and see alot of game in them.50% of them are gone now from the housing
boom.Use to have access to a 1000 acre ranch in Lake Mathews area that had every
local animal in great numbers including deer.Its all fenced off now for a Kangaroo rat
protection sanctuary. If you find any spots let me now and Ill do the same
Im running out of them and dont want too go to Salton sea just for small game

[bsaride]

I also go too the badlands area east of Moreno Valley off of 60 and Gilman springs Rd.
Some of the washes in there hold rabbits and quail.Most coyotes I see are at 300 yards
and movin out.The place is steep with some dirt bikes on weekends but when its hot
you may be alone.One area I have been wanting to check out is the south side of
Diamond Lake.I have seen alot of critters while on the lake,but dont know if the area
is open,private or Operated by the water co.I used to work at alot of citrus farms all
over S.Cal and see alot of game in them.50% of them are gone now from the housing
boom.Use to have access to a 1000 acre ranch in Lake Mathews area that had every
local animal in great numbers including deer.Its all fenced off now for a Kangaroo rat
protection sanctuary. If you find any spots let me now and Ill do the same
Im running out of them and dont want too go to Salton sea just for small game

I hunted some out in the badlands 20 years ago. was always slim pickens, that's why we used
to bow hunt off Alesandro in the city limits (before it was totally over built), used to have the
sheriff called once in a while but we were ok there with our bows.

I am planning to search around Ortega Hwy this weekend, couple places look promising
but I need to check with FS first. Have to get BLM maps and shotgun only areas defined
as well. I will try to have these before the 23rd so I can scout either to or from the Hemet
area.

Not really putting alot of effort into it until next weekend (23-24) as my niece will be going
again and I think we will do the area east of Lake Hemet (looks promising from the maps) as
I want her to have a good trip next. I have a rifle to pick up saturday evening for her to use
instead of the vintage M52. I haven't made specific plans yet, lots of looking over my maps
that I already have. If you are interested in an outing this weekend, you are welcome to come,
never know when the gods will be in your favor, lol.

Jay
PM if interested

[m.wun]

Thanks for the line,got my youngest boys first b-day.I used to see deer
in the bluejay campground area off Ortega.Its near the FS station on the summit.
If you are interested in deer, I know some places in the Hemet area.I have pulled
two of them out of there.At some point I do need to get out as I brought home
a new 1894c Marlin 357 today.Thanks again, will drop you a post in the near future.