D zone opener

[Megadeth]

I'm getting ready,as I'm sure several of you are also gearing up for next weekend. We've all put in our time , but , do you believe you've found a secret hideout? Please dont give away secret spots, just ###tell ###us the true potential of these zones. I've spotted nice deer as well as bear from Caples in d5 to "the tree with a million squirrels" in d4 at Jenkinson, to the true blacktail monsters in d3, unfortunatley they live in the "burbs", but they are huge also. Whats in your memory bank? ###I for one witnessed a huge buck get run down in my home town , Meadow Vista, and am positive the genes are here also. What are your opinions,forecasts?

[horseshoer]

Counting the hours until the open of D8 not the best zone in Cal. by far but I can be hunting within 40 mins. of my work. Good deer hunting on the East Side of the Kern River. Will be over there everyday I can until I fill both tags. ###Last year had them both filled by 8 am with nice forked horns. ###Shot 2 of 5 bucks all bedded together in a large bowl. Later in the day saw a 23" 3 point in the same day in the same bowl through spotting scope from camp could of kicked myself. Bucks are back in general area as they have been last 5 years. ###Saw them during bow season no chance to stalk. Just watched for hours and learned.

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### Can't wait......
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###Good luck.....

[wmidbrook]

D3 is tough country to hunt unless you have access to private lands. ###The national forest up high can be decent but you really have to work hard for that buck. ###Also, there's a large migratory herd that's fairly elusive. ###Late season can be alright but it's extremely brushy country that's suggested on DFG's website. ###It's a good day if you see more than 5 deer and that usually only happens if you're hunting during weather or on private property.

I've seen some nice deer in D3 and they do get pretty big--some Columbian Blacktails do (muley-blacktail subspieces in my opinion). ###Won't be hunting it this year though since I filled my A tag and drew an M4.

I've seen a 22" 3x2, a 23 inch or so 4x4 and 3x4 so far this year in D-3...but I spend lot, I mean l o t s of time running around those hills. ###I also know where lots of turkey are in that area.

Good luck to you all hunting the D zones.

[rusman66]

Trophy? I can't even find a deer, doe or buck!
This is the first year I have hunted in years and I am not to familiar with the area but cmon now things cannot have changed that much. ###I don't want you to tell me about your hotspots but if any of you hunt in the d-14 area please tell me you have seen some deer I need encouragement. ###I know it is not the kill that is important but my bow gets heavy and if I am just going hiking, I will leave it at home.

[overdrawn]

Rusman...I spent another afternoon into evening in D-14, didnt see a thing this time. Went up through Burns Cyn, and into Broom Flat. I did alot of glassing and didnt even see a doe. So for d-14 I've looked in the Pinnecles area as well as the area below Running Springs across to Seven Oaks and only seen 2 does up near Coxey Mdw. I spent another afternoon into evening in D=19, below Idylwild and Pine Cove. Never saw a thing except for what I suspected were POT GROWERS out caring for their plants with the watering jugs. But I did see a good sign that I have never seen in a long time, just a sign though. On 243 just out of Pine Cove, beleive it or not there is a "DEER CROSSING NEXT ONE MILE" sign. Gonna look into an area that I have seen some bucks in in D-19 in yrs past, just didnt want to have to do the long hike. But I am getting desperate here! Take the dang bow with ya, you will be very disapointed if ya come across a sole buck and all ya have is your pack and a camera.See ya good luck!

[Bigolwiggler]

Hey Horseshoer,
I used to live right on the Kern River , 'bout a mile up-river from Kernville. ### Where do you hang your hat ? ### I have always wanted go go back "home" and do a little buck/quail hunting there. ###Know some spots that used to be real good. ###Bull Run Cr. for quail and Cannel Meadow trail for deer and quail.
I wonder if there is still a "guzzler"up Cannel meadow trail. ###
As a young lad of 13 I hunted near the Guzzler for quail , A nice buck stared at me for 5 minutes. Had a tag but was only armed with a 20 ga. single shot.
I returned the next day with my deer rifle , waited for that bad boy to return. I had to nearly swat the quail out of my stand that day. ###Never saw the buck again. ### ###
Anyway , just curious as to the general area you hunt.

[horseshoer]

Bigolwiggler,
### ### ###I live in Porterville, do most of my hunting in Bartolos Country on the West side of the Wilderness.
They had a big burn back by sherman pass last summer unfortuneately I haven't had time this summer to go back and check it out. I will ### go in there this deer season, and see what is going on. Don't remember how many acres, but it burnt for about a month last summer. Should be bucks in there. Don.t see many quail way back there. Plenty of deer and bear, way to many lions also..........

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### Good Luck to Everyone
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### Deer Season is on.........

[rusman66]

Overdrawn, thanks for the info. ###It is pretty tuff hunting these southern d-zones. I took the road past the staging area around arrowhead and went down the creek to where the water was. Saw a little sign but not much. It was really hot and dry. ###
I think I am going to check out the d-11 area just past wrightwood. I saw a lot of sign last year but only one doe. I am not sure but I think the deer in that area migrate some. I should probably find out for sure, would probably save some time and grief.
I will let you know what I find and good luck to you.

[Megadeth]

It seems to me that the D zones have an extremely long history of bad deer hunting. The Northern zones seem to always have a decent water supply, and fairly decent cover. Hopefully this seasons fires will help in the future. I always seem to end up with that Damned tag. Oh well, I guess I should be more thankful for the "time away" factor. Im making an attempt to get away from the crowds this year, hopefully that will add up to more animals. I'll keep you posted. Good luck to all. Thanks

[mattp113]

###Went out saturday, up 5s15 through thomas mountain, glassed early morning;Nothing. I went back down the hill on bautistia canyon and seen 2 does. ###The signs are good this year, a buddy of mine works at kenworthy and he reports that they have had a few people have had car accidents with deer.

[db 183]

The problem with public lands in D-3 are....

If you are in the lower elevations, it is very thick and hard hunting.

The upper elevations, where I hunt, there is a lot of water and cover. The deer really don't have to travel much to get food, water or cover. To top it off, I try to scout it during the summer but, I find the deer aren't really there yet. I also find that the patterns change from summer to fall. I think this herd is largely migratory.

The deer are nice however. I came home empty the last two years. The year before, I got a nice forkie and brought home 130 pounds of meat from the butcher.

Oh yeah, there are also a lot, and I mean a lot of road hunters up there.

[overdrawn]

mattp113...went part way up Thomas Mtn. Sunday afternoon....did'nt see anything but a few track from does and fawns. Saw the game warden, she says there have been a lot of forkies spotted on top of Thomas, and a 3x3 taken out of Apple Cyn. some 3x3 spotted near Black Mtn. and Baldy Mtn. We went down 5so6 into Bee Cyn on the south side, did'nt see anything. Would figure with that burn and the new undergrowth, that there would be some in there. Hav'nt given up on that area yet. Have you been out Rouse Ridge yet? I am gonna have another look tomorrow around Bee Cyn. The area looks so promising, maybe the North side of the Cyn. will produce a "spot" to stalk. Glassed Baldy from Thomas and that burn really has some nice growth coming in and it is wide open for spotting. Only problem is the hike in there, just wish I knew the landowners that have the locked gate off 74. Still can't figure why they can lock a road that goes to forestry public land. Only way I know in there is to follow the refuge boundary up that dang steep hill.
Good Luck! where are you from? I'm in Yucca.

[prohunter]

if i told you then everyone would be there!!!
good luck too all! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

[mattp113]

Overdrawn, I have been up to Rouse Ridge from cranston station i took the road through the groves there. ###After you go through i think its the second cattle gate ###go a little while and you will see a turn alittle ###slant slope and then a open space....this where they have been bedding down for some time now. ###you can tell it is recent from the droppings, after inspecting them i found that they where eatting manzanita berrys. I am from hemet. ###one more thought the farther you are off the road and away from others, the better off you are.

[sportyg]

Hey Matt, didn't that road wash out a few years back ?? I used to hunt up that way I also am from Hemet. I like behind the camp. Brush is heavy now good water in there..
Gordon

[Fubar]

Sportyg ###Welcome to Jesses Forum! ### ### ### ### ### ### Fubar

[overdrawn]

Matt...I wouldnt want to have one shot and run down either side of that saddle, it's a long long ways down there. The last draw before Thomas Mtn Rd, coming off Rouse hill had some decent sign in there. all the way across to the area that burnt off Thomas Mtn a few years back. I know a guy that had a game camera around that wind mill on Rouse and an mighty big 4x4 sipp'n at the trough. They are definately in there...just need to be in the right place at the right time I suppose. Went back out Bee Cyn....not a dang thing....very dry over there.... maybe the guns will drive them...since bow is done this weekend...

[sportyg]

Thanks Fubar, I was on this board before but lost my logon somehow. I missed this BB so came back>> Gordon

[prohunter]

my trophy was killed this weekend , but not by me. bummer. congrats to the guy that got him.

[mossback]

Hunted the D9 opener this weekend and shot a pretty nice forky Sunday morning. ###Saw quite a few deer but only the one buck. ###Waiting for the D14 opener now. ###Anybody see anything in this zone during the archery season? ###I scouted the wilderness area a couple of weeks ago and saw very little sign.

[paulc]

i noticed alot of you guys are talking about the d19 zone.. my son has a j14 tag which is the d19 area only he gets to hunt it in nov (hopefully the rut) we have been out scouting a few times due to some great help from this sight and have seen a few here and there... if after you guys are done hunting the area during archery and rifle and you got some tips me and my son will take them... alot of it depends on the weather in nov but i have pretty high hopes that my son can get his first deer... ###by the way the j14 tag is either sex.. i know my 12year old will be pumped either way doe or buck..
good luck all.

LONG LIVE AMERICA

[mattp113]

sporty....The road from cranston fire station is not that bad...a little sand in one turn but nothing too blink an eye at.

Overdrawn...you say the wind mill where the cattle hang out and the have a pen there also right?

[mattp113]

I got my second deer tag in the mail saturday. ###It is D-16, ###I never hunted that zone before, ### Does anyone know if there are deer in the pixley butt area, by diamond valley or is it better to spend my time by palomar?

[overdrawn]

Matt....that would be the windmill, only one there is...cattle are there again huh? I havnt been out Rouse this year at all. Mountain Lion follow that San Jacinto drainage, lot's of their track in there...be careful. ###

[MC]

HI

[MC]

Hi, the post above was seeing if I finally did it right. My name is Mike and I love to hunt deer, with a little quail and dove now and then. I hunt pretty much exclusively D-16 and D-19 for deer, and have fairly good success. Paulc , this is for you. try scouting up in the Santa Rosa Mts. They are not only beautiful mts. but the also hold a few deer. Try around Stump Springs camp ( now Toro Camp ), it's about 7800', 8000' ele., or Santa Rosa Mt. about one mile before Stump Springs. There is a rd. turnoff for it but it is closed to Vehicle traffic unless it's been removed. You can also try down in the scrub oaks around 6500'too. They like to feed in them. I've seen them there in the mid mornning. I was up there about two weeks ago and saw a lot of sign, more than i've seen in ten years. It is some tough hunting country but there are some nice deer there. There are a lot of hunting oppertunities in thr Thomas Mt. Santa Rosa MT, Anza areas. If the weather is cold besure to hunt low, for the deer will head down. Good luck to you and you're son Paulc, Mike

[MC]

Paulc, try the Santa Rosa Mts.

[Megadeth]

Well I just returned from a d3 hunt, which was unsuccessful. Our original spot, Spaulding, was closed. We canoed across Fenner Lake and hunted Grouse Ridge, Zion Hill area. Very few deer, less than 10, spotted and no bucks. We didnt see any other hunters for 6 days, seems amazing in this zone. Oh well, found some decent prospects, and plenty of bear sign. Thanks

[MNHNTR]

MY Bro and I have been scouting the burn area in D14 and found some sign and spooked some does. We were east of the Crab Flats area. ###We'll be up there again this Sunday. ###Look for the white Tahoe with steel roof rack. ### ###Death to Tyrants !!!

[karstic]

Hey MNHNTR I'll be going up on Saturday to scout around Coxey Meadow. White Chevy PU w/ beige Knack toolbox.

[wyokid]

Hunted in D8 this weekend. ###Way to hot and way
to many flies. Plenty of fresh sign need a storm
to get them moving anytime during daylight.
Hopefully this next week w/rain....

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### Good Luck

[paulc]

mc, thanks for the advice.. i have not scouted those areas yet.. they are not in the game reserve area are they... are there good access points??? how far is it to hike in... i am up for it but i dont know if i want to push my son to hard.. i would say 3 miles is the extent of his hiking distance.. i will most likely carry a frame pack in case he gets lucky i can pack the meat out...i like the idea of getting up higher espescially if it gets you out of that high chapparell..
thanks
again.
paul

[MC]

Paulc, the Santa Rosa Mts. are very rugged and that time of the year it can be very, very cold, so you want to be prepared for snow to. Ok if you went up the road from the camp towards Toro Peak the road will fork off. The left rd. is locked. Weather it is legal or not is another question ( I think somebody just took advantage off an old cable and put a lock where its always been open. Anyways take the right fork. 4x4 makes the ride more comfortable but isn't needed except in snow. When you get to the top the road forks again, take the right road. There is a road before you get to the top, Don't take unless you have 4x4 and no snow. Just keep going up the right road until the road forks a third timr. Now the right rd. goes up to Toro Peak and you can drive as far as the turnaround. The left or what I call the lower rd. is 4x4 rd or a good granny with possi. It will dead end down there a ways and to the left off the dead end there will be a ft. trail leading down into a pine covered valley. You get back in there and you'll be hunting along the game refuge ( it is posted on the trees ). If the weather is good and mild, there will be deer up high, but if the weather is bad or a storm is comming they will head down and you should to. All of the forest land on the left sides of the rd. is wilderness. There is also another trail that takes off from the north side of the camp ground and it is an easy walk, plus have seen a lot of deer towards the end of it. You can also walk over the ridge right behind the camp to the no. east. Have seen deer on it too. I first went into those mts.back in 1955 tungsten minning and hunting with my dad. That was back in the Ca. deer heyday and the used to take a lot of deer out of them and they still get a few. D-19 opens in one week, got to get ready. Good luck Paulc. MC

[paulc]

mc, thanks this definetly sounds like it is well worth checking out... i may need to track down a 4wheel drive.. let me know how d19 season goes for you i hope you have good luck... sounds like there is some history in those mountains,, i have not seen much mining stuff up there but i am sure it was there like every where else in ca.. i was in the trinity alps this last week and there was an incredible

amount of mining activity there at one time...
lookn forward to checking that out ..
thanks again...

[junior12]

Hi mc......... ###Im joshc, paulc son I was checking out Toro pk. on the map and it says it is in the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation....... Im hunting the j14 am I allowed to hunt in the reservation ###and if u have any more advice it would be greatly appreciated you can e-mail me directly at Braniacboy2@cs.com

thanks for all your info on my hunt

Joshc

[nimrod]

Paulc, ### ### ###You and your son should not have a problem finding one for the junior hunt. My son and I were up there last year, and within the first hour of daylight, we saw 5 bucks and 5 does. And one buck was a nice tall 3x3 . He ended up taking a doe. He was still very happy, and I couldn't be more proud. Bring your fishing poles, cause his hunt could be over very fast. ### ### ### ###Good luck, ### Mac

[MC]

Joshc, you won't see any indians up there. There are microwave towers on top of Toro Peak, that is why it is considered private. The Res. is down on the plateau to the so. west and west to no. west. A lot of private land marked on the maps are old minning claims, but the main private property is right next to the camp ground. There is a log cabin on it that has been there since before I ever went up there in the 50s. You don't have to worry about to much private land up there and definately not indian res. When I was a kid I hiked out of Horesthief Creek with my dad to the top of Toro Peak and signed the registry on top, but it's been gone for years. Just go hunt and have fun and be carefull, MC.

[junior12]

thanks mc and nimrod if you have any more advice just post it or e-mail me at braniacboy2@cs.com

josh c

[Stryder]

PaulC, listen to my Uncle MC. He knows those mtns good!!. I've been going up there since I was 4 with my Dad and Uncle and one thing is for sure, those are TOUGH mtns. Check out those areas he pointed out and be prepared for a tough hump out if your son drops one 'cause it's all up hill. Access is good if there is no snow and if there is snow DO NOT go past Santa Rosa campground because with snow on the ground the road is REAL dangerous. Make sure to check out the switchbacks from tree line up to S.R. camp, they're full of scrub oaks and the deer like to hold right in them. Good luck.

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###Stryder
p.s. yes Uncle Chubby it's 'lil Buck

[paulc]

we are on it.. we will keep u updated... i will try to go up and scout after d 19 closes... those hunting d19 let us know how it goes.. thanks all.
paul and josh

[Stryder]

When does the J-14 season open and where does it cover?
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### Stryder

[paulc]

stryder, going off of memory it opens 3 weeks after d19 closes and i know it is open over thanksgiving because that is when we plan to spend the bulk of our time up there since its tough to get a kid out of school for hunting... we live in riverside so we can get up there pretty quick... it covers the d19 zone... i am thinking that the bucks will be rutting by the time this season opens.
paul

[MC]

Junior12 I dropped you a email with another possibility to check out. MC

[mossback]

MNHNTR/karstic,

Any sign of life on that side of the mountain? ###Are all the roads open? Hows the vegetation look?

[MNHNTR]

Mossback, ###I've seen a fair amount of tracks and droppings just east of Crab Flats. ###As usual it is very dry. ###I'm still checking out the area. ###There seems to be some nice pockets of green here and there. ###I'm going back up this weekend to check some other areas around big pine flat.....do you have a tag for this area too? ### I also have my bear tag. ###Anyone see any sign?

[mossback]

MNHNTR,

Yes I have a tag for this area. ###I have been hunting this zone off and on for the last 10 years. ###I have taken a few bucks out of there but mostly on the other side of Gogonio. ###I scouted the 10,000 ft ridge in the wilderness area earlier and saw some sign. ###Mostly single sets of tracks so probably bucks. ###I plan to hunt the area you are scouting this year for obvious reasons. ###I probably won't get in there until after the opener. ###As far as bear sign. ###I hunted D-9 opening weekend and filled that tag. ###During my hunt I saw quite a bit of bear sign. ###If your interested let me know I can give you specifics.

[karstic]

Mossback,

Due to unforseen circumstances on Saturday, I started my scouting rather late in the morning. It was more of a drive around the area to get familiar with it because I have never hunted this area. The majority of the green vegetation is concentrated along the creek beds, around springs, and in some of the deeper canyons and draws which almost look like the fire blew over. I scoped some canyons that still had live oak trees and heavy brush although I didn't get a chance to get out and pound the ground. My first hunt day will probably be the second Saturday of the season and I will concentrate my time in the Shay Mountain/Rattlesnake Mountain area. This seems to have the easiest access for the limited time I have to hunt. I have scouted some areas on topo maps that I want to get into position before sunlight in hopes that other hunters will push the deer towards me. This is my first deer hunt so if anyone could offer some recommendations I would appreciate it.

[MNHNTR]

Mossback, I would appreciate any info you can give. Email me with the USGS map name and a location and I can take it from there. ### ### Karstic it sounds like that is a good idea you have about waiting for deer to be pushed towards you. ###Since this is the first time I will be hunting this area I located some places where this could occur. I looking at the area between Little Shay and Deer Mt. ### Good Luck !

[mattp113]

went up 7s02 to toro peak sunday, seems ok. ###The only thing that bothers me was there was so many people. Must have been 10 different trucks scouting for opener. ###I think i will try another spot for opener and if tag is not filled might come back after the dust settles. ###Is that normal amount of people for that area?

(Edited by mattp113 at 9:05 am on Oct. 3, 2001)

[overdrawn]

Matt...yep! that area will be like a giant ant hill on the opener.

[mossback]

karstic,

I haven't hunted this area either but generally speaking if you can locate where they are watering and where they are bedding you should try and put yourself in between those two locations before first light. ###You should see tracks and dropping in this zone since they will feed on their way to bed. ###Before the rut the bucks will be isolated so if you see single tracks with big droppings your on to something.

[RanchRoper]

It seems like alot of us are hunting around crab flats. ###I saw a nice 4 pt. on Sunday behind the campground. ###I'm still looking for some bear sign. ###I'm not going to be able to make it out opening weekend. ###I wish you all luck. ###Maybe you will leave a deer for me for monday. Have fun.

[scoutII]

Hey Karstick, are you going to be camping, if so, where?

[karstic]

Unfortunately due to prior commitments I won't make it out until the first weekend of November. I'm lookin forward to reports of this weekend. I'd like to stay at Horseshoe Flats Campground, but I'm not sure if it's going to be open.