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CA Deer Seasons Underway!

Phil Loughlin - JHO ProStaff - Bay Area, CA
July 25, 2004

First of the Year
JHO Member Steve Brown took what is possibly the first deer taken in the CA A zones this year. He shot this forkie at about 0620 on opening morning.

With the earliest hunting season in the country, CA bowhunters took to the woods in the “A-zone” on July 10, 2004. The A-zone is one of the largest deer zones in CA, stretching from the lower end of Mendocino County all the way into Santa Barbara. Most hunters in this zone are pursuing the Blacktail, although there are Blacktail/Mule Deer crosses in the southernmost sections.

The A-zone opener serves as the eagerly awaited kick-off for California deer hunters. A-zone archery runs until August 1, then hunters take a break until the A-zone rifle season opens on August 14. By the end of August, CA deer hunters are in the field almost all over the state. Detailed information on the CA hunting seasons and regulations is available online, at the CA DFG website: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/biggame.html

So what awaits these intrepid early-season hunters? One word… HEAT. A-zone deer hunters encounter some of the hottest temperatures in the state during their July and August outings. Triple-digit temps are not unheard-of, while temperatures in the high 80s and 90s are very common.

Successful early season hunters use this factor to their advantage, though, by hunting near water sources, and focusing on the coolest parts of the day to be afield. Other tactics include going high, and getting into the thick, dark timber.

Opening weekend forkie
JHO Member Jason Valenzuela took this Blacktail in the first hour of the A-zone archery season.

Here are three simple tips, to ensure an enjoyable, safe trip:

Carry lots of water… AND DRINK IT. Dehydration is a constant risk in California’s low-humidity/high-temperature environment. Drink plenty of water, especially during periods of exertion. Hot, dry air evaporates sweat very quickly, and most people are unaware of the amount of fluids they lose in the course of a day afield. You should have enough fluid in your body to make you urinate freely. As any desert survival school graduate can attest, you should work toward “CCU”… Clear, Copious Urine. Or, as many desert rats prefer to shout… “Piss Clear!”
Dress for success… Opinions about camouflage vary, from those who don’t think you need anything to those who believe in covering head-to-toe. But dressing for success in the CA early seasons isn’t about hiding. It’s about staying comfortable. Preparing to spend a day afield means being ready for temperature variations of as much as 40 or 50 degrees. Changing elevations will also impact temperature. You should layer clothing to permit you to adjust as the day heats up. Carry a daypack to stow your extra clothing, and toss in a couple of extra bottles of water while you’re at it.
Meat care… Venison is pretty stable as far as meat goes, and it can hold up to a little bit of rough treatment. Still, you want to get it cooled down quickly as possible, and get it away from the sun and the flies. Quick field dressing and skinning are pretty much required. Game bags, or even pillow cases are handy for skinned game. However, choose a fabric that breathes well, to allow air to circulate.
If you’re hunting close to camp, keep a little vinegar or lemon juice in a spray bottle. Coat the meat and the game bags with a good spray. The acids tend to keep the flies from landing. Remember, it’s not so much about the flies eating the meat, but the risk of them laying eggs that should concern you.
Aging the meat is a great technique, but in the hot summer seasons, this isn’t always an option. Get the meat on ice quickly, unless you have a cool place to hang it.

Good luck!