D8 CA 2025 - return after 10 years and burn

[PCguy760]

Use to hunt there every 2-3 years, stopped in 2016, bought a new house, hunt local in D16 and D19 instead then Castle fire in 2020 then blew out my knee Feb 2024 skiing, lost D19 private spot so goin back to D8 above Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen Campground, have not set foot there maybe 10 years, i see 4000 tags left for D8 , use to se bear and does and small bucks, going for 5 days. Anyone got any updated info? Am i wasting time?

 

[Califrost]

Use to hunt there every 2-3 years, stopped in 2016, bought a new house, hunt local in D16 and D19 instead then Castle fire in 2020 then blew out my knee Feb 2024 skiing, lost D19 private spot so goin back to D8 above Ponderosa and Quaking Aspen Campground, have not set foot there maybe 10 years, i see 4000 tags left for D8 , use to se bear and does and small bucks, going for 5 days. Anyone got any updated info? Am i wasting time?

Im thinking of trying to hunt D8 for the first time, but i dont have a partner to go with, so I would be game to try wasting my time with you

 

[jj-Tulare]

Seem some deer scat just above camp nelson last weekend

 

[canamrider07]

Seem some deer scat just above camp nelson last weekend

That’s what they used to say about Gold in California.

 

[truegs8923]

Hard hunting, didn't see any legal bucks in season for the last two years. This past weekend I had an amazing opportunity on a massive 4x4 I spotted from 1,600 yards away. After a 90 minute stalk covering 1.5 miles around the canyon I got in position but could not re locate the buck. I wasn't thinking straight and tried to get a bit closer and in doing so was busted by his 3x3 buddy within 50 yds, the target buck was 90 yds away. I pulled up my rifle and got the 3x3 in my crosshairs, but his vitals were blocked by a rock and he jetted down the canyon, blowing out the other buck and a couple does. We didn't see anything but does and a sow with cubs for the rest of the week. I'm still processing this one and will likely not get over it until next year.