Nice hunt today

[El Chivo]

I really wanted to go hunting during the week to avoid weekend competition. So this morning I went hunting even though I had to be at work in the afternoon.

I got on the trail by 6 which is a half hour before dawn. It was a perfect day, cool without being cold, and very clear. I wanted to check out the campground where I took a buck in 2006.

I made it to the campground about a half hour after dawn, but thought it might be a little early. California deer seem to get going about 9 or 10. So I walked on through towards the overlooking mountain. On the way I found several bear tracks. There seem to be some new bears in the area, they're not too big, but prolific as far as sign goes. I spent about an hour in there, and decided to head back out.

On the way out I jumped two does in a dry creekbed about 9 am. They headed towards a wooded area in front of the high ground. I decided to act like a deer hunter and go see if I could find them, partially to make sure they were really does, and partially to practice stalking. After about 15 minutes, I found them in a clearing. We stared at each other for a few minutes, and I put the crosshairs on each of them. If I lived in a sane state I would have had meat. But, just a nature hike this time.

Still it was a worthwhile thing to spot and pursue some deer, for me that's good experience. It's rare enough that it's still a rush and something to talk about all day. So I was glad I got up.

[20cows]

Yes, it was a good day and time well spent!

[Andrew]

Sounds like you had some good times.

[Borregos]

Great start to the day!

[Mike D.]

Sounds like a great time out there. CA deer season ended for me in mid-September. I don't hunt the interior due to the many road hunting fools on public land. Actually, I haven't purchased a D tag for several years. I could hunt some private ground, but already got a nice 3X3 and need to save room for Nov. elk.

[deerwhacker444]

You can't shoot does in CA..?

Since they started shooting does in OK and letting some of the bucks live, our population really took off.

[rjohns94]

congrats on your hunt. sounds like a great day out and well worthwhile.

[El Chivo]

You can't shoot does in CA..?

Since they started shooting does in OK and letting some of the bucks live, our population really took off.

True. This was probably the very first politically correct decision. Back in the fifties they did allow taking does one season and two years later there was a record harvest of bucks. But they couldn't face the public outcry against killing Bambi.

[71fan]

Nice report E.C. I too get very excited to see ANY deer around these parts. Keep trying - it's a numbers game. Enough hours in the field and you'll connect.

A week and a half to go before San Diego opens. I'm starting to twitch.