D19 as a second tag or stay with A22 ...?

[D12]

So I'm looking at the map on the CADFG website and most of the zone looks as if it's off limits to hunting . I was thinking of giving D19 a try since I have never hunted it , been hunting D12 and D16/A22 most of my life . Just want to try it since it's in my back yard now days . I asume that the SBNF is where most hunt this zone ? Just want to hunt some new terrain , burned out on the San Diego area . Any insight on D19 from those who hunt it I appreciate it .

 

[ChefTodd]

I just looked up D-19 on youtube, as I live in Temecula too over by pechanga....I saw a group of guys pulling out bucks in Hemet.....I am thinking about picking up D-19 for a 2nd also....Have you had anyluck wtih D16. That is my first tag......

Thanks
Todd

 

[J.O.]

A large percentage of D19 is refuge, state parks or private property. Make sure to check the maps. You'll have to refer to more than one map to keep yourself legal. Also don't forget to buy a forest adventure pass or you'll have a suprise on your windsheild when you return. There are roads that run through most of the zone so vehicle traffic will be an issue but the land is accessible and might be great if your a road hunter.

The videos that I think your talking about are a group of hispanic hunters. Like 10-15 total. I've run into them a few times. They make a ton of noise, they work the terrain like herding cattle. They spread out and push the deer towards a guy flanking the group with a rifle. Last year I had the group come down a hill and stand in a medow I was overlooking about 400yrds. I flagged them that I was there (since about 4am mind you) and I got the bird from them.

Best of luck to you!

 

[J.O.]

What would be great and improve the hunting would be for the rangers to lock the gates and make it a no motor propelled devices beyond the gates. I'd be all for that, I go by foot anyway. This will be my third year hunting this zone. I scout religiously every weekend and hardly ever seen anyone. Come season it looks like the 91fwy on a friday afternoon on a holiday weekend. I checked with the ranger this past weekend to see if the gates would be closing early this year and they said only if there was a fire or danger of one.

 

[ChefTodd]

A large percentage of D19 is refuge, state parks or private property. Make sure to check the maps. You'll have to refer to more than one map to keep yourself legal. Also don't forget to buy a forest adventure pass or you'll have a suprise on your windsheild when you return. There are roads that run through most of the zone so vehicle traffic will be an issue but the land is accessible and might be great if your a road hunter.

The videos that I think your talking about are a group of hispanic hunters. Like 10-15 total. I've run into them a few times. They make a ton of noise, they work the terrain like herding cattle. They spread out and push the deer towards a guy flanking the group with a rifle. Last year I had the group come down a hill and stand in a medow I was overlooking about 400yrds. I flagged them that I was there (since about 4am mind you) and I got the bird from them.

Best of luck to you!

Bummer to hear that....I hate rude people. So far, all the hunters I have met have been really cool....

 

[D12]

I have had groups like that in D16 as well , most on Palomar Mtn. One time about 10 years ago I was hunting East Grade , and a group of these "clowns" started blasting at what I found out later was a Doe . 13 shots fired and not one hit there target , needless to say my buddy and I had to get between two boulders for a good hour until we felt safe to come out . Not fun hearing bullets wizzing by over head ! I ended up talking with a few of them later that evening and they were from L.A. .
I have had good success in D16/A22 , think I will just stick with that zone for my second tag .
Thanks for the heads up

 

[ChefTodd]

Does the east side going up the palomar divide get really busy....??? What about over by Indian Flats....does it get busy there? I here at mile marker 6 its very very crowded...I am so looking forward to Oct...this will be my first hunt on Palomar....been scouting alot .....

T.

 

[D12]

Todd...sent you a P.M. with Intell. on D16

Dustin

 

[sportyg]

I know of an area or two that doesn't get hit hard only due to being a long hike in.I have gone with both tags D 16/A22 or D19/A22, before but I'm more of an A22 type of hunter and get an A22 tag every year. I used to hunt D19 but stopped once the area went crazy. Hunted it again last year due to gas prices it is still a crazy place unless you hunt weekdays then it is not to bad. There are a few really good areas if you learn the zone. Some nice deer are taken out every year.In any case take what J.O. says to heart he knows the zone (D19) better then most.

 

[J.O.]

In any case take what J.O. says to heart he knows the zone (D19) better then most.

Thanks for the compliment. Ya I still hunt D19 every year (have tag in hand ready to travel...:wavin helloand I try to embrace the crowds due to gas prices. So far since April, I would guesstimate I've probably logged about 50-60 driving/pre-scouting hours and 100+ hours scouting foot time, and I lost count of the research time just for D19. The crazy part is I still feel like I have not scouted that much when I look at the maps. But when you start breaking down the map into legally huntable areas, the zone quickly becomes smaller and smaller. I wish F&G would create zone maps that encorporate the illegal areas that way people don't get into trouble. The zone map is redictulously too broad. Recently I went to colorado to scout for 3rd rifle season elk and the maps they provide are far superior in detail. There zone maps are broken down on to topo maps. You can clearly see which ridge your on or a road and see if your legal.

To get away from the crowds I'm packing in this year. I've got a few bucks I've been keeping track of and a few new ones and hopefully one of them will bless me with an opportunity. rayin :I passed on a few legal bucks last year in D19 to give them a chance to mature. Tag soup didn't taste all that good but it was the right thing to do especially if I want a larger, healthier heard to hunt.

 

[D12]

J.O. I do the same in D12 (pass on the smaller bucks to allow them to turn into brutes ) but many who hunt in D12 will shoot anything legal as they drive in their jeep's , OHV's etc which really pisses me off . We watch them from some of our our area's on high points ....back to D19 , maybe some time I will give D19 a shot . I think I will put in more ground time to make my decision easier . Thanks to all on D19 and have a good successful safe hunt this season .

 

[dodgersfan]

J.O.- Have you heard that the DFG is considering getting rid of refuge areas? The original reason for a game refuge was to bolster the population of game (waterfowl, deer), but research has shown that it hasn't helped much. I filled out a survey last year on the issue, then eventually the DFG approved the removal of most game refuges... but being the state agency that it is, we know it will take some time foranything like that to happen. I think it would open up some nice areas in D19. Have been hunting it for 18 years now.

 

[sportyg]

I hope they do remove the game refuge areas they are a waste. I also completed that survey and recommended they remove the refuges

 

[J.O.]

ya I'm aware of that survey, completed that too. I was not aware that the removal was approved. I thought DFG had a time frame in which they had to present public comments. Which they did. Thats the last I knew of it. Thats great news. Does anyone have the returned report.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/gamerefuges/docs/Appendices.pdf

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/gamerefuges/docs/2011ReportToTheLegislature.pdf

 

[sportyg]

my guess is it will still take a year or two for them to get the word out if it has been approved

 

[m_freeman]

I live in D16 so took the D16 and A22, this will be the 4th year and I have learned about this zone walk far and on the weekdays.

 

[Alex_the_great_hunter]

D19 is a very small place to hunt. I've been hunting there for a few years now, and only brought down a buck twice. There is just way to many hunters at D19 and every moment you are always gonna hear a gun shot going off. If you go, make sure to wear bright ORANGE! And the hike is a good 1hr to the top. No OFFROAD access.