Cottonwood Creek Upper or Lower

[JBHusky]

Well, didn't see any piggies on Sunday. It was really dry consideering it just rained on thrusday. I didn't make it up to the top pond but didnt see any water in a few other places I thought I might.

I did see some fresh tracks and rooting and a lot of what looked like a few day old rooting. The soil was moist under the surface and had lots of little ~1" grass growing on the rooted areas. Would that lead you guys to believe that it was a few days old?

Well, it's still a good sign to see rooting and tracks in the area. Just shows that they are there in the area. Now it's just a matter of finding them and seeing what size they are. Hopefully with some more scouting in the area as well as further back will turn up more better results. I am soo hoping to get out there soon so I can help with the scouting and findings of them pigs. At least before Thanksgiving day cause then that's when I can be out there all day hopefully. Keep the search up if you can, and good find with the rootings and tracks.

 

[jb229]

The big droppings were probably from Tule Elk, there is a large herd across the hwy.

 

[mgriffith80]

I saw a cow elk in upper cotton creek while scouting in july. I believe they are part of the san clara tule elk herd.

 

[JBHusky]

Well, it seems the wife is gonna get both wed and Thurs off of thanksgiving. Looks like I am gonna have to sleep hard on that Tues so I can work through my night from 11pm to 7am. Then grab the family and my rifle & wallet and head to Los banos. Then after draping them off, go to the sporting good store there and get my license and tag. Then head out in the hills on wed afternoon til sunset. Then hopefully if I find some tracks and footings and don't tag out that wed, I will be out there early thanksgiving morning scouting like mad while waiting for the buggers. Hopefully I hear from one of you guys of any findings beforehand so I know where to head out to, otherwise I will be going by what I see for possible areas to go to for them hogs.

 

[JBHusky]

No new news from the field???

Went to Bass Pro Shops yesterday and found a bow i am most def gonna get. I also had my 2 kids buggin the crap outta me to get them bows. So now I know what to get them, gonna be there for Black Friday morning shopping. Best deals on youth bows for them on that day. I seen the Black Friday Preview for BPS online and checked the reviews all over the net and seems like a good bow to grow into for the longest time.

 

[TinNokR49]

Is there a parking area that's not off of 152 that's a pretty crazy highway

 

[mgriffith80]

Yea there is an actual parking area and check in station off the west bound side of 152. Look for the green gate.

 

[TinNokR49]

Man i drove that hill twice a day for 6 years, I can't believe I've never known about it

 

[oldskool67]

No pigs but it looked promising. Went up Tue for a few hours.

 

[Cal hunter]

Hey guys what do I need to do to hunt uppercotton wood? Is this time of year just sign in and hunt? Trying to find it online but all that keeps coming up is info about the permits for deer season. Also Is it legal to do some coyote hunting up there right now or is it just pig?

 

[live it up]

never knew about the area.is this area only a draw area, and do i need a permit to hunt here. thanks

 

[Huntr Pat]

Its a Draw area for the general deer season. hit while you can . It close end of Janauary

 

[oldskool67]

Just sign in at the parking lot. I saw lots of coyote sign

 

[live it up]

So i can hunt hogs there right now being that deer season is closed in that area.

 

[mgriffith80]

So i can hunt hogs there right now being that deer season is closed in that area.

Yes Sir! It's actually only a draw for the opening weekend of rifle season. After that its fair game for pig and deer.

 

[live it up]

Thankx im getting that itch to go hunting again.

 

[live it up]

sorry for all the questions i noticed theres two areas one area is only shotgun and archery. can i hunt with a rifle in the other area this time of year.

 

[huntingbret]

You want to hunt the upper cottonwood area and not the lower. In the lower, only archery or shotgun is allowed. As for the upper portion, a rifle is fair game. The upper area is closer to Dinosaur Point turnoff. As you start ascending uphill on 152, you'll see the only turnoff on the right side of the road. Go in there and follow it to the dead end parking lot and sign in before trotting off. Good luck and let us know how you do or what you saw.

 

[jvle95]

Don't forget your lead free bullets!

 

[live it up]

Im pumped up about going. I looked at the land on google earth looks like the area i hunt at camp roberts. I know its tuffer hunting blm land and chances are low but it beats working . Thankx guys if i do make the trip ill for sure post pictures and give headsup. I have non lead all the time now just being a resident in cali. I also have the garmin gps with the california chip in it worked really well it lets me know were all the blm, private,national forest,parks ,excetra is. in colorado it let me know were i at was at and not crossing into private land.