Likely Tables Hunt

[JRKPintail]

I have already started doing my homework for the second period Likely Tables Antelope hunt, but any help or pointers within the area would greatly be appreciated.
I plan to go up a few days before to scout as I am hoping the animals will have calmed down a little from being hunted in the first period. I'm not looking for a monster but just a nice goat.
Take care,
Jim

 

[Dundee]

Congrats on getting the tag. Dont know to much about the area but you might try looking for some private land that you could pay a small tresspass fee for access. It might be worth the dollars getting away from the rest of the guys.

 

[DKScott]

Theren't that many tags issued and there are huge amounts of public land (e.g. Devil's Garden). If you just want to drive up, whack a goat munching some farmer's alfalfa, then drive home all in the same day, you can pay Alturas Farms or somebody $400-$500 to drive up to there fields and have at it. If you didn't draw, there are a couple PLM deals that probably amount to the same thing for about $1,500 (my price info is a few seasons old)

I spent the better part of week chasing goats in LT and it wasn't for lack of good shots. I wanted to see if I could snag a trophy out of P2.

My first opportunity came about 20 minutes after I arrived on opening day. I was waiting for a friend and drove up onto the Garden just to have a look around. Two goats, one about 12" with good mass, walked, within 15 yards of me and meandered off without a care in the world. I had about a 20 minute window with shots ranging from 15 yards to about 250 yards. Rifle was on the seat. I just didn't want to take one that easy. The next morning, sitting by small lake (or a large a wooded stock pond), two more goats wandered by on the other side at about 125 yards and hung around for 10-15 minutes. We were right in the open on the other side, rifles in hand. They were probably similar size as the first two (but not the same one, we were in another area). That same day we stalked and spooked two more. The next day my freind took his at about 200 yards. It was about 11 1/2", with good mass and a a fairly large body. We cased a few more over the next couple days and I finally took mine at a measured 87 yards. He ran about 12 1/2", good mass and weighed probably 125-130 or so. I got 61 lbs of great tasting 'lope.

The shootable (mature) bucks we saw were all about the same size and a couple locals told me they typically did not get real long horns, but that they were fairly stout. Most of the herd bucks were shot off in P1, so bachelors and interlopers were common. We saw several small herds without a buck. I have seen pictures and a couple mounts of 14" class bucks that came from there, but if you get a clean shot at a 12" class buck, I'd take it.

Talk to the DFG biologist and attend the orientation. Get the most current BLM maps. 4WD is recommended and the area is rocky - sharp ones, so make sure your tires are in good shape and you have all the tools and spares. You can get a long way from anybody up there. It's mainly road hunting, for lack of a better term, because of the size of the area and how dispersed the animals are. Once you spot some or get close to a water source you want to check out, its park and stalk. You can see these guys way, way off - and they can see you way before you see them. It's worth it to get busted a couple times just to see them kick in the after burners. Their speed is awesome. I personally wouldn't take a running shot. I saw goats hanging in the market at the the north end of town that looked like they had been machine gunned. multiple shots (5-6 in a couple instances) along their bodies and lots of ruined meat. God only knows how many got away, only to slowly die somewhere.

Good luck, its a fun hunt. Take a shot gun and fishing rod.

 

[JRKPintail]

Thank you for the information guys, every little bit will help.

 

[Hntrjohn]

You have mail!!

 

[JRKPintail]

Hi Hntrjohn,
Thank you for the mail......you also have mail now too.
Take care,
JRKPintail

 

[Railguner]

Call me..I'd Love to talk to ya. 1-209-823-7785 ask for Les.

Here is my 2001 Likely Tables goat.

 

[DKScott]

Nice goat! P1?

 

[BigDog]

Really nice goat!!!! Don't think I have seen one that good in Ca.

 

[Railguner]

yes, it was period 1. Got lucky that year and drew #33 of 33. Plus a Grizzly island Bull tag.

Yeah.. I know..I played Lotto but zilch! Used all my luck gettin those tags.

 

[BradCa]

If you haven't already done so, check out the previous years' topics in this forum. There is some really good info about the Likely Tables zone here. You can check out my story on the hunting tales section of this site. Good luck on your hunt!

Brad

 

[JRKPintail]

Railguner (Les)....I will be giving you a call....thats a very nice antelope.

BradCa.......I have printed and got alot of information from previous years hunts on this forum, and purchased a BLM map.....then I started plotting all the spots on my map......two area stand out above the rest, so I am thinking they are good places to start. I am getting more and more excited everyday.

Take care,
Jim

 

[BigDave]

A few years back I scouted Baily Resiovoir and up on the Devils Garden for lopes. I saw 18 bucks in three days. Most were around 12 inchers. I got a nice buck just shy of 14" in P2 Likely tables. I probably should have waited, but I needed to make some tracks for home.

I wish I had a spotting scope and range finder with me. My 10X50 binos were not enough glass. I under estimated the range ( 350 yards) an shot low in the front shoulder. I had to hit him again while ihe was quartering away.


I saw a dozen mule deer , but nothing special.


BTW. Make sure you get a chance to eat at the Brass Rail in Alturas. They put out an awsome meal. After a full day of hunting it's sure nice to get a good dinner.

Make sure you have good tires on your truck...


Big Dave

 

[DKScott]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

BTW. Make sure you get a chance to eat at the Brass Rail in Alturas. They put out an awsome meal. After a full day of hunting it's sure nice to get a good dinner.[/b]

Is that the Basque place at the north end of town? That place was awesome! Surprisingly, there was a Thai place in town that wasn't half bad either.

 

[Cahunter]

The rail has great food. Bring a camrea because you are sure to see some nice mule deer up that way.

 

[BigDave]

Yes,

It is the Basque place. Lots of good food and a couple glasses of red wine and I was all set for a well deserved rest. Seems like all the locals like the place too...


We hunted 14 hours a day and we saw some awsome sights. I really wish I brought my video camera amd a 35MM with a long range lens. I really enjoyed watching the bucks fight over their does. Peroid 2 guys should get quite a show.

I loved this hunt. It was very memorable.

Big Dave

 

[JRKPintail]

Well the time has come as I will be leaving for my period 2 Likely Tables hunt tomorrow. I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who took the time to try to point me in the right direction.

I will post my story and pictures when I return......hopefully it has a happy ending.
Take care,
Jim

 

[Railguner]

So did ya get one? If so..I must have missed your post. How did it go? RG