some D7 hunting tips

[newhunter77]

Ok just bought my first deer tag this year for D7 zone. I just wanted to see if someone could point me in the right direction. I know I've read it before there is no deer in D7. I been told that courtwright, wishon are good spots but how busy is it. It sounds to me like its rush hour out there all season. If anyone is willing to help out it would be appreciated as i am just looking to put some meat in the freezer and not looking for a trophy buck.

 

[slanttop357]

Best advice is going to be, just take some time and scout areas that look good get off the road and get in there. Good luck.

 

[firefishhunt]

High country ( Hike min. 3-5 miles from a road) probably has a better sucess rate than the wishon, shaver, hunington areas but, most people road hunt. you will see more people driving around in camo than you will see cars parked on the side of the road and hiking or sitting on a meadow or old loging cut. there are alot of hunter on the weekends and opener. put in the leg hours and time watching brushy draws, meadows and clearings and you will find legal bucks. get on google earth and scout some areas that look decent and go hike it before season to get a feel for the area. I've only been hunting deer for 4 years and last year was my first tag filled. I'll be in the "greater" wishon/woodchuck areas this year. Good Luck !!

 

[cjack]

High country ( Hike min. 3-5 miles from a road) probably has a better sucess rate than the wishon, shaver, hunington areas but, most people road hunt. you will see more people driving around in camo than you will see cars parked on the side of the road and hiking or sitting on a meadow or old loging cut. there are alot of hunter on the weekends and opener. put in the leg hours and time watching brushy draws, meadows and clearings and you will find legal bucks. get on google earth and scout some areas that look decent and go hike it before season to get a feel for the area. I've only been hunting deer for 4 years and last year was my first tag filled. I'll be in the "greater" wishon/woodchuck areas this year. Good Luck !!

Great advice ALL! For a guy whos been at it for only four years you have a good grip on the nuances of a successful hunt. Good luck firefishhunt and newhunter77 on the upcoming season. See ya in D-7!

 

[mgriffith80]

These guys nailed it on the head. There will be what looks like 100's of cars and campers near Ahart Meadow by Wishon. Your best bet is to check out maps, google earth, and physically get out there and scout the areas where the road hunters won't be. The further from the ben path, the higher you success rate goes up. Good luck to you all.

 

[easymoney]

Excellent tips from all.
Been hunting D7 for a very long time and the best advice I can give is to go back pack hunting, get away from the roads, trails and popular campsites and you will get into deer.
That being said it all boils down to scouting and location, hunting in spots with no bucks is futile. The meadows and lower flat (easy) spots will have does and dinks (yearlings) but the bucks do not hang out there, you have to look for out of the way spots in canyons or up high that have cover (and that can be as small as an area the size of a VW bug), within a mile of water(and that can be just a little wet spot) and have the types of food buck prefer(mountain mahogany, buckbrush, etc). All of D7 is spectacular scenery and prime habitat(like most all of the Sierras), but what looks good to the human eye is not always what deer prefer.
Since you have already heard about wishon and courtwright areas, just expand that to include the woodchuck, patterson mt and spanish mts. Almost anywhere into the JM wilderness area can be good. Again get high, away from the roads and popular spots and you will up your odds of seeing and taking bucks...

 

[BEERHUNTER12]

ahart loop road by wishon is a good road to drive and scout, but chances are slim, if u want the meat u have to get and walk. what i do is stop every 5 yards and look all around me. its good to hear the deer befor they hear u. trust me they will hear you.