Cleveland National Forest Help

[Jalt2024]

I am heading out to Unit 16, Cleveland National Forest, city of Julian area for November fall turkey hunt and though I fully understand my limitations with private land, the area appears to hold an abundance of turkeys. If anyone wants to share thoughts on a fall hunt in this area, would truly appreciate. I am traveling from AZ and have done a bit of e-scouting on OnXhunt but I am sure much of what I scoped out is going to be a bust.

 

[Designed2Hunt]

N WTF discourages fall Turkey hunting in Cleveland national forest due to limited population..

 

[Jalt2024]

That's not good, I am a member NWTF could you refer me to where that was posted and when, Any suggestions to somewhere near by, I spoke with game warden he made no mention but did recommend also hunting north in Aguanga County; Aguanga and Hemet.

 

[canamrider07]

There are threads here on Jessie’s and the internet regarding Turkey Hunting in Julian, and none have pictures of a Turkey. It seems to be an Urban Legend regarding Turkey Hunting. I grew up in Escondido, 30 miles west, and was never able to find a good place to hunt that wasn’t private property and that was along time ago. They do have lots of apples and a Apple Festival. Aguanga is in Riverside County, there is no Aguanga County.

 

[Designed2Hunt]

That's not good, I am a member NWTF could you refer me to where that was posted and when, Any suggestions to somewhere near by, I spoke with game warden he made no mention but did recommend also hunting north in Aguanga County; Aguanga and Hemet.

Look up the NWTF San Diego web page or Facebook page. Contact Steve. I am am member and very close with the board. Probably the next nearest population of huntable turkeys would be the central coast. Sacramento contains most of CA turkeys. CA treats turkeys as a non native species and provides very little management (e.g., no tags, counts, habitat improvements, etc.). This leaves the population to sportsmen to self Regulate; therefore, NWTF has stepped up with surveys and recommendations.
There are lots of other species to hunt in D16 and the fishing is good too.

 

[Jalt2024]

There are threads here on Jessie’s and the internet regarding Turkey Hunting in Julian, and none have pictures of a Turkey. It seems to be an Urban Legend regarding Turkey Hunting. I grew up in Escondido, 30 miles west, and was never able to find a good place to hunt that wasn’t private property and that was along time ago. They do have lots of apples and a Apple Festival. Aguanga is in Riverside County, there is no Aguanga County.

I was in Julian this past Monday and while driving out my wife and I not only seen Turkey's just outside Julian but while stopping in at one of the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park campsites, five toms walked right by us, one had a beard about 6 to 8 inches, now I know no hunting in the park and the toms are most likely resident birds with a year long pass. Has to be a good sign for the area.

 

[canamrider07]

Ask around you might find someone that owns property that will let you hunt. If you like bakeries Dudley’s is a good one. Good luck, post pics.

 

[JackGreen]

Don't be discouraged. I didn't get photos of any Turkeys but have eyes and ears on them, and found sign (scat) in descanso district. New to turkey hunting, but love thanksgiving turkey decided why not hunt one myself.

I scouted 2 times leading up to the season. Had 2 or 3 areas of interest from combo of on foot and e scouting. On my first hunt I heard a kee kee run call, called on my slate back, and sat.. I heard rustling then shortly after calling, a Rio Grand Jake trotted right up to the clearing I was aimed down on. I had a 15 to 30 second stare off before I heard a hen assembly call from maybe 80-100 yards away and the jake ran off in her direction. I had the opportunity, but it was my first hunt ever, and I want a long bearded gobbler for my first one. So I passed, and I'm glad now I did if what is said about the NWTF being concerned with their population in that area, I already have a butterball for this year, didn't need the meat, so I let him go, to hopefully get him in next few years if we cross paths again some day.

My 2nd and 3rd hunts this season were less eventful, no eyes on any birds, and If I heard and it was faint. I have an additional spot where I found scat in scouting I have yet to go hunt still, its a hard hike in with gear, without it is moderately challenging. Nothing will be as bad as the trek I made thru the chapperall brush on one of my unsuccessful hunts I thought, 400 yards off trail, how bad can it be. Hour and a half later made it 150 yards in, brutal! Don't make the same mistake I did and underestimate the chapparal and its ability to drain all your energy fighting thru.

Stick to trails as long as you can. The last 150+ to get legal may be rough but is worth the fun.

When I do get a turkey in CNF, i'll post it here.

 

[Jalt2024]

Don't be discouraged. I didn't get photos of any Turkeys but have eyes and ears on them, and found sign (scat) in descanso district. New to turkey hunting, but love thanksgiving turkey decided why not hunt one myself.

I scouted 2 times leading up to the season. Had 2 or 3 areas of interest from combo of on foot and e scouting. On my first hunt I heard a kee kee run call, called on my slate back, and sat.. I heard rustling then shortly after calling, a Rio Grand Jake trotted right up to the clearing I was aimed down on. I had a 15 to 30 second stare off before I heard a hen assembly call from maybe 80-100 yards away and the jake ran off in her direction. I had the opportunity, but it was my first hunt ever, and I want a long bearded gobbler for my first one. So I passed, and I'm glad now I did if what is said about the NWTF being concerned with their population in that area, I already have a butterball for this year, didn't need the meat, so I let him go, to hopefully get him in next few years if we cross paths again some day.

My 2nd and 3rd hunts this season were less eventful, no eyes on any birds, and If I heard and it was faint. I have an additional spot where I found scat in scouting I have yet to go hunt still, its a hard hike in with gear, without it is moderately challenging. Nothing will be as bad as the trek I made thru the chapperall brush on one of my unsuccessful hunts I thought, 400 yards off trail, how bad can it be. Hour and a half later made it 150 yards in, brutal! Don't make the same mistake I did and underestimate the chapparal and its ability to drain all your energy fighting thru.

Stick to trails as long as you can. The last 150+ to get legal may be rough but is worth the fun.

When I do get a turkey in CNF, i'll post it here.

 

[Jalt2024]

First Happy Thanksgiving, thanks for sharing, I passed on the fall hunt on members recommendation and share will not harvest anything less than a Tom on all unit 16 hunts. I am looking forward to 2025 spring hunts and appreciate any additional thoughts or opportunities, traveling from AZ makes preplanning extemly important. When I was in the area in October/November I came across turkies from the 8 all the way to Julian and very excited about returning.

 

[JackGreen]

Happy thanksgiving to you as well! Based on where you are coming from, and what I've heard recently, I'd have one primary spot to suggest you check out. It's a bit further south and east then where I've been going.

A lot of people have mentioned seeing high numbers of wild turkey near Lake Morena which is I believs san diego land onX says. Exactly two miles to the east, there is allegedly a creek in onX called La Posta creek, though I'd be surprised if it wasnt a dry creek bed. Regardless of that, there looks to be good trees and reasonable road in from i-8 west via Buckman spring road. Look 2 miles directly south from boulder oaks EQST and some clearing outside the tree for turkeys to roll up on you.

Best of luck, let me know how it goes if you do decide to check out this spot. Or any where in d16, cleveland national forest or BLM /any public land here.

 

[Jalt2024]

Awesome, thank you. I will check this out on next outting in D16, if you want pm at 4804388377 maybe will meet to hunt togeather.

 

[JackGreen]

Awesome, thank you. I will check this out on next outting in D16, if you want pm at 4804388377 maybe will meet to hunt togeather.

Sorry I didn't see this sooner! Fall season is wrapped up here, but spring season isn't too far off. Also if you like hunting ducks that is open thru january here, and I found a good spot in CNF. Had 4 ducks last time I went. Didn't go after them as I was there for turkey but I now know a great location for ducks.

 

[tval27]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner! Fall season is wrapped up here, but spring season isn't too far off. Also if you like hunting ducks that is open thru january here, and I found a good spot in CNF. Had 4 ducks last time I went. Didn't go after them as I was there for turkey but I now know a great location for ducks.

I’d be interested in going after some ducks with you.