CA Zone Suggestions for Bear

[Dust feeder]

Looking for some suggestions. I've Been hunting for 3 years but never drawn a premium zone tag so have only hunted A and B zones and am yet to even have an opportunity at a buck or bear (did harvest a wild pig on the jesses hunt at lake Sonoma 2 years ago). I have 3 preference points so am considering putting in for X6A, X6B, X9A rifle tags or maybe some of the archery X zones.

I've never hunted any of them or the D zones but am hoping to really focus on one zone to learn this year and do some preseason scouting and bear hunting (bow or rifle depending on season) before and after dear rifle season.

Any suggestions on any of the above of different zone to focus on for both bear and deer? Thanks!

 

[Fredezee]

For Bear, D6 area, Clarks fork and just south of the Dardanelles area. Very dense forest and vegetation but has a decent population of bears. Saw 6 in one day 3 seasons ago. Heaviest pushing 450lbs plus. It can get crowded so hike in away from the roads if you go.

 

[Cowmanone]

I hunt the B zone above Ruth, and have had great luck w/ deer (both Yolla Bolly and Mad River Drainage). I do not hunt bears, but have seen several over the past few years (Three in camp last year trying to get to hung deer).

D7 above Shaver has big bear populations

 

[Dust feeder]

Thanks for the info guys. It seems like I hear a lot about D zones and northern CA counties like Shasta, trinity, Mendocino, etc. but not much on the x zones. I would have guessed there would be plea th of bears up in the sierras. Am I wrong there?

 

[fishnhunt21]

X4 between Eagle Lake and Hwy 44. We had had trail cams up for two months before season on water and had more bear pics than buck pics. Consistent times too with the bears. Only probably was most of the water holes dried up before season for acrhery. We drew X4 with 2 points

 

[twopatch]

I hunted x6b last year,I did not see very much sign. I saw 2 bears in x6a driving through. Mammoth is over run with bears. They are Re locating them all the time.Its been years since I lived there,But I used to see bears ,and Dandy bucks There all the time.I never got drawn for a x9a tag. so I never hunted the area. I would see them when I was cutting wood,fishing,etc. Like I said its been years since I was there last. I am sure the tree huggers have closed off more areas now. If you are more interested in bears,then deer,save your points and hunt d3-5. bears are thick. If you are looking for a nice buck x9a would be my choice. One more thing to remember,IF we get snow early it is a long long drive to x9a if the passes are closed.

 

[Dust feeder]

That's great feedback twopatch. Thanks for the advise. The only time Ive ever been in that area was driving from SoCal. What's the route from the Bay Area to x9a if the passes are closed?

 

[Deleted member 33033]

The closer you get to the Klammath River, the more bears you find.

 

[twopatch]

That's great feedback twopatch. Thanks for the advise. The only time Ive ever been in that area was driving from SoCal. What's the route from the Bay Area to x9a if the passes are closed?

From S.J. I am not sure but I think ,the Bakersfield route might be closer. Tahoe is the northern route.

 

[Beastmode]

From S.J. I am not sure but I think ,the Bakersfield route might be closer. Tahoe is the northern route.

If you from the bay area b zones would probably be your closest good bear country unless you have a lot of time to drive.

 

[Beastmode]

The closer you get to the Klammath River, the more bears you find.

I agree as long as you stay west of i5. IME the bear numbers are better in upper B zones.

 

[CaliCoyoteCaller]

I would amend that to say west of Hwy 89...bears are THICK up here! C zones and west gets my vote!