D11 (Deer and Bear)

[americanmade91]

Hi, I am a new hunter (Eric). My brother and I have set a few cams set up in D11. I am trying to scout those areas. Any idea of where to start? This is my first deer season on my own. I also have a bear tag for D11 for this year. I know to get high and glass (been doing that in San Diego at Mission Trails (and seen a huge buck) its a ecological preserve, so no hunting. I understand looking for tracks, scat, and glassing north or east facing slopes.

Questions:
1. How far should I be hiking in to find deer? Some guzzlers are able to be driven to (so I think opening day the spots will be blown out- seems like there are tons of hunters). Is it even worth it to try in those types of areas? I will be going in Oct in D11.
2. Altitude versus staying low where the desert meets the forest floor? Which would you say would be more productive?
3. Any other advice for me being a new hunter (no one in my family has ever hunted).

Thanks if you have read this far and seen the message. I appreciate responses, would like to learn from the best! I understand about the honey holes and not giving them away just curious if you have any pro tips.

 

[GracieWexler]

My overarching recommendation is to comb through this forum and others, the advice may have been posted 10, 15, 20 years ago, but the wisdom contained within is timeless. Also, talk to everyone you see when you're out and about in your hunting areas. People who are very cagey (and rightfully so!) about being specific on the internet will cheerfully give exact locations in person. As to your questions:

1. Hike farther than you would expect, like stupid far. Get off the beaten path as soon as the landscape around you opens up into deer-y looking territory. Climb, climb, and climb some more.

2. Altitude v. desert floor, I'll be honest, I'm not sure, although I personally tend towards altitude. But look for sign, check the weather, look up migratory patterns, ask around.

3. It's called hunting, not catching. Avoid hinging your enjoyment of the outdoors on whether or not you fill your tag.

 

[#1Predator]

All of these points are good. I would stay higher on the mountain. I've seen more deer killed higher than lower. October is a good time to hunt. Hunt north slopes when it's hot, south slopes when it's cold. Pay attention to the wind. Tie a piece of sewing thread on your barrel to constantly keep track of the wind. Lots of "hunters" are afraid of being more than a quarter mile from their truck. Equip yourself correctly, take a hike, enjoy the woods, be patient, eyes peeled for any form that's horizontal (things grow vertical, animal backs are horizontal) and stop often to look and listen.

 

[americanmade91]

This is very helpful! Thanks

 

[redux]

I also have a bear tag for D11 for this year.

You probably know this, but just in case, your bear tag is good for any legal bear hunting area in the whole state, not just D11. The bear areas usually follow the deer zone boundaries but there are a few exceptions in A zone and some D and X zones, where they don't match exactly. You can find a map on the DFG website.

 

[canamrider07]

I would look into the Mountain e-bikes if I were still hunting D11 and didn’t have an ATV. At one time you could ride them anywhere a bike could go in National Forests. You could get to places and then lock it up and do some short hikes. Save you so much wasted time hiking around only to find other hunters nearby or just a few crows flying around.

 

[ChrisAMX]

I would look into the Mountain e-bikes if I were still hunting D11 and didn’t have an ATV. At one time you could ride them anywhere a bike could go in National Forests. You could get to places and then lock it up and do some short hikes. Save you so much wasted time hiking around only to find other hunters nearby or just a few crows flying around.

Are there any mountain e-bikes that you like, or heard good things about?

 

[canamrider07]

I would first find out the legality of e-bikes in National Forests.If you can ride them where bikes are legal than they would be a viable, long term hunting vehicle. You have to be able to justify the cost, meaning using it a lot. There are many gates in the NF that are closed to vehicle use that you could ride on with an e-bike, if legal. I can’t recommend one, just make sure you can pedal it if the motor fails. Get a map that shows the Legal Off Road Vehicle Roads, you can drive those in a truck or 4x4 or zip around on an e-bike. Here’s a good site for those roads.

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