richw

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Hey guys I need some honest help for a new big game hunter. This was my first year putting in for the draw and what happened I drew zone 2 clear general buck tag. So can some of you help me by pointing me to some areas to start looking and how is the public land hunting there. Or would you get a guide. Plaease all help is welcome and if you dont want to put the info on this site please feel free to email me. Also is a 280 enough punch it was for a hog at tejon.

Thanks To All
Rich
 

Kentuck

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Congrats Richw on that tag! You will enjoy that hunt like no other. Like a biologist told me about antelope hunting when I drew in 99. There's a good thing about hunting antelope is that you will see a lot antelope. The bad thing about hunting antelope is that you will see a lot of antelope. He went on to explain that you need to pace yourself hunting these critters. It's the only hunt I've ever been on that you will see antelope all day long. At least we did on our hunt. Getting close and choosing the one you want was the hard part. If they still put on that pre-hunt meeting, go. They have maps of all the areas and where the antelope are usually at. Good luck.
 

brut

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Lucky dog first time putting in Congrats
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I dont think that you will have a problem seeing lopes just be patient and wait for a good shot. Try sitting water holes good luck
 

MattS

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I drove around Clear Lake while scouting for the upcoming duck season a few years back. You will have NO problem finding Antelope. I saw one buck i would estimate at 17+ inches about 300 yards out. I saw most the heards just south east of the lake. The country looks pretty open and flat, but there are a lot of small drainages and valleys for them to disappear in.

I have seen heards around Pinnacle Lake/Lone Pine Lake area. There are many dirt roads which bisect the area.

I have heard of the Telephone Flat Res. area holding some good heards. I have also seen some around Big Sage Res.

Most the Antelope I have seen are within a few miles of water, but there is a lot of water out there. I have seen solo bucks up to 30+ heards. I was talking to DFG for the Lassen hunt I got drawn for. The biologist said he recommended driving around till a buck was spotted and then planning a hunt. He said it was the best way to cover ground and find quality. He said if they start walking off, don't bother. They will be 2 miles off by the time you reach them on foot.

My buddy got drawn for Lassen 2 years back and i went with him. Most the bucks we spotted were in the same area day after day. I don't know how large their home areas are, but they don't seem to go far unless pushed or looking for does. Good luck!

ant37ed.jpg
 

Kentuck

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MAttS,

I'd be carefull with this map. The area circled around Big Sage Reservoir is in the Likely Tables (Zone 3) hunt area and I'm pretty sure the upper circled area is in the Zone 3 area also.
 

MattS

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You are right, sorry. I didn't bother looking at the zone boundaries. Disregard my post, unless someone got drawn for Likely. I am headed to the Lassen zone in a few days, hope to find some big Antelope. Sorry about that. Matt
 

richw

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What the deal guys knowbody wants to help the new guy get his first pronghorn. I know alot of you might be made that I got a tag my first time out but its not my fault. Im not asking for sombody honey hole just advice if I should knock on some farmers doors or is there alot on public land. Im just trying to do some work before i go to be smart about it. Thanks gents or ladys for all help is welcome.
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Thanks Rich
 

rodngun

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Hi Rich,

I drew Zone 5 quite a few years back and I met a couple of landowners on my first day of hunting that invited me to hunt their property. If you scout don't be afraid to knock on some doors or stop some pickup trucks (that's how I did it)...I offered them a cold drink and engaged them in conversation and then they started offering their advice and land. I did hunt their lands on day 2 and did not see a goat
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..Got mine on day 3 on public land, but you never know...Be prepared to be mobile and cover a lot of ground and you'll find them....Be prepared to hunt all day long because you can find them at any time of the day...Also, call the local warden and biologists...I found they will not call you back but if you can get a hold of them they are helpful...Good luck!
 

CalHunter

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Congrats Rich. I drew a tag for zone 2 antelope also. I've been putting in for antelope since the late 90's and finally drew a tag. We're both lucky as there are only 15 tags in zone 2 this year.

Here's a link to the DFG website with a very rough map of the area.
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/pronghorn/maps/zone2.pdf

DFG recommends the Cedarville, Tulelake and McArthur BLM maps as the most useful but it looks like just the Tulelake and McArthur maps will be needed. The Modoc National Forest map also helps. From what I could tell about the map that MattS posted, it looks like the circled area on the far left is still inside zone 2.

I've never hunted this area and this is my first time antelope hunting so I'll be learning the area also. From what I've read so far, it seems like guys are giving you pretty good general advice. I plan on scouting a couple days in July and then going up a couple days before the season opens. Good luck!
 

CalHunter

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I got lucky and got a 14.25" buck on opening morning. I know Rich is probably still up there but let us know how you did. Best of luck.
 
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