What would you do? hunting question

[bsaride]

I need to get my tag applications out soon and wanted to get some input from the group.

I live in SoCal. The zone I live in is D15. I thought I would try to hunt this zone for a couple of reasons. I haven't hunted in 10 years. I will be using my 1908 Marlin 1893 in 30-30.

If I hunt in zone D15 I can also hunt zones D11 & D13. D15 is outside the lead ban zone. D11 & D13 are not. My high school buddy is going after a specific bear in zone D10 (southern Sierras), I would not make very many trips to this area (one or two). Zone D15 has a success rate of 3%, lowest in the state. I assume this is from landowners. D15 encompasses LA and Orange County developed areas and some portions of Riverside and San Diego counties. Most likely I would hunt the eastern side of Cleveland N.F. where I can use my mom's house for a jumping off point and save a minimum of 40 minutes drive time. I plan to get 2 deer tags and a bear tag.

With this info what would you do?

Thanks,
Jay

[kimwcook]

I don't know your skills as a hunter. But if it were me, I'd take a few extra days off and make a hunting trip of it with my buddy. The success rate in D15 and others seems very, very slim. I'd rather go for a few days longer in one trip and have a chance of getting something. Than a bunch of short ones and relatively no chance.

[KirkD]

The only way I would hunt the handy D15 is if I spent time in the weeks leading up to the season, scouting the area I was thinking of hunting to see if there is anything there, where they bed down, where they travel, etc. If I wasn't happy after my scouting mission, I'd hunt somewhere else.

[bogus bill]

Stinks, doesnt it? I lived in calif from 1965 to 2003. In the early days you just bought a license and went anywhere. I shot a few deer north of tehatchipi and south of kernville. Think it was D-9. Where you are talking they arent much bigger than jackrabbits anyway.
I havent hunting deer seriously in quite awhile. Wife wont eat bambi. I always liked northern calif better anyway.
I was raised in wisconsin, a far better situation many years ago. You get right down to it the real reason I went deer hunting was really just a excuse to get out. darn, I never could get used to hunting in 110 degree weather! When I was a kid in the early 50s it was a different ball game. I love my guns and shooting, but unless you are 65 to 70 years old I think people have got cheated and dont know it.

[Old Time Hunter]

If you hunt D15, you would be best to rent a helicopter unless you have painstakingly scouted the area for years upon years. There ain't much out there, but rattlesnakes and a couple of avelina...maybe a billy goat up on the hills.

[bsaride]

The only way I would hunt the handy D15 is if I spent time in the weeks leading up to the season, scouting the area I was thinking of hunting to see if there is anything there, where they bed down, where they travel, etc. If I wasn't happy after my scouting mission, I'd hunt somewhere else.

This is the plan, minimum 2 weekends a month prior to season scouting
and rabbit/varmit hunting the lowlands. I plan on contacting a couple
biologists for the area as well before I start. I think this works better
for me as it's very hard to take time off from work. I expect that there
will be one maybe two trips to my buddies bear country.

So the question is do I get a deer tag for D10 (bear country) and hope
I can make the trip or two tags for D15?

Jay

[Griff]

I hunted for several years right on Santiago Peak. You can enter (if the fire threat level is low) off Hwy 74 near the top or thru Silverado Canyon Rd. (Follow to end and thru gate and into the Cleveland National Forest).

At the top of Santiago (from Silverado Canyon Rd. it'll be the second peak) drive into the parking area near the repeaters, then walk toward the east and a little south, there's a good tail. There's a good set of rocks, and a natural seat. Scout around well in advance of the season and you'll find them so you can do it again on opening morning in the dark. Deer will usually travel from the trees on the Riverside County side to the more open areas on the OC side in the evening and back into the trees in the am. Sometimes, they even do this during daylight hours! I haven't taken a deer there, as they're pretty skittish. Their trail is about 50 yards below this rock seat, plenty of scant and rubs in the area. The few deer I've taken from the Cleveland NF have been off one of the ranches, (good luck getting permission nowadays!) and from Horsethief Canyon. Enter Horsethief from either the top (ridge line road) or from the bottom thru Trabuca Creek Road. But, there's a lot more landowner's that might not welcome travelers in their area. Area can be found on Google Earth by searching "Holy Jim Falls, Cleveland NF". Hunt to the north of the falls. There's a number of "wide spots" on the ridge road and the country is pretty steep, actually... it's very steep. But, if you're in shape, that works to your advantage as few hunters work very hard.

You'll need a good topo map to locate the specific canyon as it's pretty small, but has good cover in the mid to lower stretches and water at the bottom most the year 'round. Last time I hunted up there I took a forked horn, nice little buck, well fed and really good eatin'. Even tho' a lot of folks don't like venison that's acorn fed, sage is plentiful and he was nice, fat, well-rounded and, did I mention tasty? Jumped him outta his bed area during the late morning on way back up from the bottom. He'd bedded down behind me, and as I circled down to the bottom and across a small ridgeline, and started up a good game trail he jumped up outta a small (20 yards across) clearing; he ran up to a ridge, stopped, looked back and I popped 'im.

Now, all that said, that was 1984. In '90 I was talkin' to a game warden in the area (Silverado Canyon was part of the North County patrol area), and he told me populations were down due to poaching. He often drove the area during late fall and winter when folks were allowed in the area, and had caught several poachers. So... no guarantees!

[bsaride]

Griff,

That would be great info except....

All of the Orange County area will be closed thru this year
due to last years fires.

I will be concentrating on the East side (Riverside County)
and below Ortega Hwy (74). I plan to search out entryways
into the area surrounding the wilderness area as well and may
even hunt the wilderness.

Nice report,
Thanks,
Jay

[JReed]

I would go D15 there are lots of deer in Cleveland N.F. you just have to spend the time to find them. Pluss there lots of coyotes and ground squirels to shoot at.

[m.wun]

You could check out areas bordering Camp Pendelton and santa rosa
plateu.there are avocado farms with water and cover.Bluejay campground
area near ortega hwy. use to have deer also. I see deer daily off the
241 toll road,too bad its Irvine Ranch.Hard hunting,hot,dryand if the
santa annas are blowing finding them at daylights tough!!

[El Chivo]

Jay, come on up to D11 and I'll show you around. Might also take a scouting trip up to D13.

I got this guy in 2006:



You'd be welcome.

Another plan is to get an A zone tag and head up north a ways. I have been up there before, saw a nice buck. And Camp Roberts over Labor Day weekend, you can hunt pig or deer in the same weekend.

[AndyM]

Buy a hunting lic. and get out there - anywhere...

A bad day hunting still beats a good day working somewhere...

[t.r.]

3% success seems like a predictable mediocre hunt experience.

I know this is quite the drive for you but Carson-Iceberg Wilderness of Alpine County was a favorite place of mine for many years from mid-80's to early 90's. Try glassing the brushy slopes of Peepsight Peak from dawn to mid morning to find a napping buck.

Good hunting to you.
TR

[bsaride]

Jay, come on up to D11 and I'll show you around. Might also take a scouting trip up to D13.

You'd be welcome.

Might just take you up on that one, a D15 tag works in D11 and D13.
I haven't hunted in 10 years and never got a buck before. Would be
nice to head out with an experienced hunter. My last hunting partner
was the bull in the china shop, so needless to say I didn't see much
that wasn't moving full bore. I plan on paying my dues preseason in
D15 (will take the 1908 Marlin 30-30 and hopefully bag a few yotes).

Jay

[El Chivo]

yes, get your climbing muscles toughened up. Calves, ankles, thighs.

Last time out I ran into a guy who took a buck right where I did (different year), he said he had his choice of five. I was lucky to get mine, I don't have the glassing chops this guy does. I'll have to work on that this summer. But they're there. I saw six deer last year, though only one a legal buck.

The year I got mine, another guy helped me load him into the car. He said he and his brothers took 5 out of there that year. Anyway, it can be done.

[m.wun]

The most important thing to do is have fun.In a good scouted area,a hike
in well before light,90% of a hunt can be done sitting.I find moving too
much makes alot of noise,Ca. is very dry.