Bear Hot Spots D3 Jackson Meadows Area

[bulldogdad]

If you're interested Bear hunters. I was hunting the first four days of D3 in the Jackson Valley Meadows. Saturday 9-26 on East/West ridge between pass creek rd and english meadow on the south side of the ridge along the forest road, 250-300lbs Full black. Tuesday 9-29 crossing Henness Pass Rd about halfway between the two Bald Ridge turn offs at 5:00am driving to my "DEER" hunting spot Medium size bear running south across the road. Again on Tues at about 9:00am running out of Haypress Meadow across the forest service road right before the turn off "about 1/4mile coming from the east Yuba Gap Rd" that crosses Haypress Creek toward Bald Ridge. Biggest freaking black bear I ever saw in my life. It headed north up the ridge. It was about 28 deg. with snow flurries.
GOOD LUCK.

All that and I'm still looking for my Buck. Also saw two bobcats near pass creek campground. Its a damn wildlife menagerie.

Will be back up at the end of October.

 

[FresnoHunter]

Thank you for such an unselfish post!

 

[bulldogdad]

Let me know if you need more detailed info while I still remember it. Glad to be of help. People act as if hunting should be secret. If its one thing I've learned in 25+ years of hunting there are no secret spots just selfish hunters.

 

[Tag Stew]

Bulldog is right... That whole area is loaded with bears this year. We hunted the opening weekend and saw several bears and tons of sign.

 

[db 183]

I agree. We saw 7 different bears.

The folks camped next to us shot two for a total of 9 bears spotted during the 10 days I was there.

 

[db 183]

Bull Dog - Did you camp at Pass Creek?

 

[Tag Stew]

183.. We camped there on the opener. My brother-in law shot a little forkie on sun morning.

 

[bulldogdad]

Pass Creek

Yes my father and I were driving the Green Chevy Z-71 camped in spot number 11 with the tent trailer. I if remember correctly you were camped on the right in one of the first spots. We saw a forky strapped to a tree. Congrats by the way that was one of the hardest hottest openers I can remember in a long time.

 

[Tag Stew]

Hell yes it was hot.. If my legs were not so bright I would have worn shorts. You going back up? I actually smoked a nice one when we got home that night. Check out Opening weekend in the mulie forum. If you go back up keep me posted. not sure if i want to get a second tag.

 

[bulldogdad]

Yes I saw the deer you got while driving your family member to the butcher. I will be going back up but probably not till the last week of the season. Family commitments. I would say if you have the chance for a second deer take it. I did that the first year they started offering two tags. Nice to have so much meat in the freezer!!!.

 

[db 183]

With all these people at Jackson Meadows, we need to all get together and meet, share a beer.

We were in spot 27.

My buddy got his first deer this year. My daughter and I saw bucks but could not get on them. She had a cinnamon phase bear run right past her stand but he would not stop for a shot.

We will probably head back up around the final weekend.

 

[bulldogdad]

Always ready for a beer invite. Be up the last week/weekend.
Good Luck

 

[dltadawn38]

Where is this at??

 

[dglover]

Never hunted this area myself but I am sure that this could help someone fill their bear tag.

Good luck your last week/weekend!

 

[Ism415]

Iletting u know that d3 up around Jackson med has no deer left in it now. I'm heading out friday for hw 49 trying to fill my second tag. First tag was filled opening morning of d3 I was camped out of webber lake. We got 4 deer that weekend. Monday night missed a huge fork in pass creek. Saw 8 spikes. Opening weekend of x7a my buddy got a 3x3 with Eye gaurds. Thatwas the only x7a buck they saw. They also saw 4 bear all in x7. I'll fill u in on what I come up with Friday morning. I'll be leaving Marin around 4 am headed for aburn. Anyone have any ideas on where might be good in the grassvalley part of d3?

 

[Ism415]

Just got back from downieville last night hunted there all day yesterday on foot and drove atleast 100miles on back roads there was no deer to be seen from 7am to 6pm found 2 places with semi fresh tracks a buck and a doe both places. Bear every where!!!

 

[JaegerMeister]

Just got back from downieville last night hunted there all day yesterday on foot and drove atleast 100miles on back roads there was no deer to be seen from 7am to 6pm found 2 places with semi fresh tracks a buck and a doe both places. Bear every where!!!

Did you see the bear or just sign? How many did you see?

 

[Lahontan]

Nothing left?

I don't mean to second guess you, but I have personally seen about 14 does in the last few days in the Jackson Meadows area. I have taken a 20 year break from hunting, but I remember from my days as a kid that if does are around, the bucks won't be far behind. This weather has been nice but not enough imo to trigger a mass migration. I think we still need a bit more time. I am hitting this area and the area around Bowman next week to try and finish my two tags or bear tag. My buddy just took a nice three point up near upper blue lake in D5, and if the deer are still there I would venture that they are till in the JM area. I guess I'll see when I head back up on Tuesday. Good luck to all. Staying lower is a good idea, I just personally think there are still deer to be had if you get off the road far enough.-Lahontan

 

[Ism415]

Saw 1 bear and tons of sign... I saw more bear sign then deer! Lots of fresh warm bear scat also.
There are probubly some deer up there still then. I wouldn't doubt it but I'm thinking any deer that are around up there are all mules that's fine with me though!!! Thank u for the update!! Where are u going to be on tuseday? Maybe I'll head up that way as well 2 sets of eyes work better then 1.

 

[Lahontan]

JM area

I don't know exactly. I will be there Tues, Wed, and Thurs overnight through FRiday as I took 4 furlough days. I think I might start closer to Bowman and try to get back, way back away from it all. I don't mind alot of trekking back and forth as long as I have something to haul. Any suggestions? I know a good spot that my dad has taken quite a few nice bucks in. Tuesday I won't be arriving until about 9ish, though so I will miss the early hunt. If it stays cool though, it should be nice. I am actually looking for a bear more than a buck, but I'll take either at this point. Thanks for the help. By the way, mullies would be fine by me also. A few of the does I saw were gigantic.