Where to hunt d3-d4-d5

[jcctez]

I think I will be hunting D3 for the opener. never been up in that area but have spent hours on Google earth and maps marking roads and ridges and canyons just over the hill from roads. I like the more open country so thinking of coming in on the Spalding lake side. would someone have any pointers. I hear the other side off hwy 70 does a little better on opener but its really steep and dense. I did taste a bear that was taken in the bucks lake area and it sure was tasty. so I will have a bear tag with me just incase location of opener changes. I swear if someone says D3 doesn't hold deer like D5 I'm leaving this site. LMAO

 

[OVHunter916]

Some of the productive and popular spots in D3 in no particular order are Grouse Ridge/bowman lake (near lake Spaulding), Jackson Meadows reservoir/Haypress Valley, Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin, ridges just north of Downieville, Little Grass Valley Reservoir area, Bucks Lake, Dobbins and the area just north of Bullard's Bar. Also Spenceville and Daugherty Hill Wildlife Areas. You'll find little difference in the size of deer between these areas, but the deer towards the Sierra crest will have more mule deer influence. My advice would be to pick an area and get to know it well. Think of your trip this year as scouting for next year unless you're able to spend some time preseason getting to know an area. Lots of deer at various elevations in D3.

 

[OVHunter916]

For finding good spots in D3-5, there are several resources out there. DFW North Central Region has old "spot kill" maps for 2002-2007 on their page. Also for about $30 per National Forest (That's only $20 more than a basic map) Erwin Ward, a retired Forest Service Biologist, will sell you a Forest Service Map marked up will fairly pinpointed areas and rough migration patterns. He sells those maps at the biggehuntingmaps website and from my experience his information is quite good. Also, Bill Lentz has written some articles for California Game and Fish that pinpoint some fairly precise areas on public land, especially in D3.

 

[ak_o_sniper]

A D3-5 veteran that consistently gets deer told me once, it takes 3 solid seasons to learn new areas and get deer consistently. First season, you don't know where to go and just plow through the forest and try to find likely hunting spots. Second year, you learn the game trails and how animals use them. Third year is when you get to put all your hard work together and close the deal. Unless you get lucky in any of those years. It takes a lot of time, especially with work, family, travel time, to really learn an area. Also, only if you get to hunt/scout a couple days a year, it takes more time and its really taxing on yourself. Pick one area and get to know it really well. You will know travel routes and escape routes, and how to use hunting pressure to your advantage. My advice, wait for weather, weather is the ultimate factor for hunting in D3-5.

 

[jcctez]

thanks OV and Ak. I came across the Bill Lentz CA game and fish mag. its a good thing I held on to it. looking at the Bowman area #1 Grouse ridge #2 how bad might it be on opener? will there be a parade of road hunters? I grew up in hunting D6 moved to Sacramento area 14 yrs ago I make the 5hr drive every year to D6 because I know that area very well . it would be nice to make a 2 hr trip on a weekend mid season. since time and money have been tight I'm excited about learning a good area. I hike into immigrant wilderness bordering X12 what wilderness in D3-5 should I invest time into hunting? I like the open area long range shooting in D6.

 

[jcctez]

thanks again for the info OV. is there a web site for the hunt maps goggled and no web site come up. those kill spot maps are nice.

 

[OVHunter916]

There should be plenty of pressure from the road, but you can hike into parts of the Grouse Ridge roadless area. Carr Feeley trailhead is a good bet or maybe Loney Meadow to the backside of Bowman mountain. Weaver lake area is home of the Nevada City or Grass Valley Sportsman's Club and they have a private lodge up there. I don't really know that area well but all I can say is that I see little sign on Grouse Ridge itself but I've seen deer and sign down by Lindsay Lakes and the roads into Carr Feeley and Lindsay. Some of the property is SPI, PGE, etc so you really need a Forest Service or BLM map of the area to know the boundaries. It sure is pretty up there and the terrain is conducive to glassing. Try googling Big Game Hunting Maps. And no I don't get a kickback from Erwin.