Horse packing hunting area's Calf.

warren nelson · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 01:29 PM

What units would you pick for a horsepacking in hunt for Muleys one that is easy to draw(not a 3yr wait).
Looking for one in State, don't think I can travel out-state much this year.But I want to keep my horses and mules in shape and still go hunting.
Thanks for any help.

Backcountry · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 10:01 PM

If you hunt with a bow, many/most of the high sierra hunts only require 1 point (or less) to draw with certainty. In general season, if want an x-zone tag, for a 90% chance at a draw you'll need at least 2-3 points, maybe more, depending on the zone (and there's still no guarantee).

All the draw info for past years is on the DFG's website.

Lives2Hunt · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 11:15 PM

**First by the post I am assuming you dont want to go after an X zone because most of the wait for those units are measured in yrs.

Personally I have heard on here and through outher hunters that some areas of D-7 are great to pack into, near the X zone borders. I have never packed into an area in CA, but if I have the money, time and friends that wanted to, I would choose D-5,6 or 7, right in a row. Pretty good numbers or deer(for easy tags/CA), lots of un-explored areas, high elevations, a good chance to get 6-8+ miles away from the nearest road. But thats just what I would do. I have also heard a lot of good things about the B zones and C zones, but C zones are still draws. Others may disagree or have their own opinion.

Last yr. a buddy of mine from the Church we went to packed into a area in D-6, I believe? and saw 4 legal bucks, one decent 3X3, but could never make make the move on them and more than 5 bears, 2 of which were pretty darm nice he said. He only hunted a total of 4 days, also.

jkvshooter · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2009, 11:32 PM

Lots of good country in the Sequoia National Forest D-8 or AO.

Farmerdoug · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warren nelson

What units would you pick for a horsepacking in hunt for Muleys one that is easy to draw(not a 3yr wait).
Looking for one in State, don't think I can travel out-state much this year.But I want to keep my horses and mules in shape and still go hunting.
Thanks for any help.

Warren, thanks for posting the thread. Being a horse owner myself, I have been hoping somebody on this site would eventually bring up this question. Hopefully you'll get some good responses from fellow equestrian hunters. P.S. Out of all the great forum topics to choose from on JHO, I sure wish there was a "Hunting on Horseback" spot.

subfan · #6 (**permalink**) 03-09-2009, 11:30 AM

If I put in for X9A, you can jump on my application and use my points...

Mike

Mustang · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 02:50 PM

Warren, I've done alot of packing in D-6 out of Clarks Fork area which backs up to X-12, also Emigrant Wilderness which backs up to Yosemite. Done alot of packing in the Trinity Alps for Blacktail also. These are just a few places that I pack into. Thier are tons of places to pack into. If you need more information just let me know.Farmer is right, it would be nice to have a forum for us horse people.

warren nelson · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2009, 06:31 PM

Mustang and Farmer
Please get in touch with me and see if we can get some idea's going.
wwnelson@msn.com Thanks Gator

brknarrow · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 01:21 PM

would be nice to have a horse pack'n forum here

Backcountry · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brknarrow

would be nice to have a horse pack'n forum here

I'll see if I can make that happen.

brknarrow · #11 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backcountry

I'll see if I can make that happen.

that would be nice. mostly pack in vantana but would be good to hear what others do

Raully · #12 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 07:09 PM

I know for a fact there is some good A-zone areas to pack in with a horse that hold some good deer. I know there are some good D-zones as well. All these tags are pretty much over the counter. You just have to do your homework and you kind finds some good honey holes. I wish I knew more about horses and packing. I know some areas that are prime spots for just that.

warren nelson · #13 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 09:02 AM

That sure would be nice having a horse packing forum, We are in the middle of going over information on several units that have some good spots in for Ca, WE also are getting things together for a trip into Unit H in Sept in Wyoming for next year that should be another great trip.

spectr17 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 10:50 PM

Behold, the new Backcountry riding, packing & hunting forum.

Introductions sticky thread up at top of forum list.

Mustang · #15 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 11:03 PM

Thanks spectr17 for the new forum page. Hope it gets alot of use. I for one like to read about packing trips, gear, etc.

warren nelson · #16 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 05:30 PM

+2 thanks I hope it gets alot of use.

elkguys · #17 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 06:34 PM

clarks fork is a great place to ride even kennedy meadows too.the hunting up there is so so just have get way in the back country.

huntjoep · #18 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 05:09 PM

Many years ago I packed into the back side of San Gorgornio (D14) with friends. This is some of the roughest country I have been in with a horse. We went down into the hole to a site we had reserved and had an accident with a horse where we could only stay one night. There were deer, bear and sheep all around that lower area. Just be ready for a rough ride. All trails narrow or non existent. Also one of the only times I have been checked by a warden. Look on the map for fish creek trail head. You need a wilderness permit also.

sancho · #19 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 07:18 PM

my first time on a horse....!!!

we rode 27ish miles into the backcountry looking for deer. only a bear was killed, but DAMN!!! what fun. i had muscles on my butt and legs so sore and tired. cant complain much because the horse was suffering more.
we went into the golden trout wilderness region in the sierras. i have pics on my work computer, not at home. sorry.

i want to do it again.

sancho · #20 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 01:48 PM

JKVshooter and myself.

Mirkwood · #21 (**permalink**) 05-06-2009, 04:19 PM

nice photos... I believe I may have packed out of that same station a few years back to fly fish the Kern River. First time I ever got thrown off a horse!

sancho · #22 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirkwood

nice photos... I believe I may have packed out of that same station a few years back to fly fish the Kern River. First time I ever got thrown off a horse!

and this is why i picked this very old horse called "pepper". i brought a bag of carrots for bribes. we got along great.

gileegan · #23 (**permalink**) 05-15-2009, 02:39 PM

When we don't draw X12, we pack into D6. Mostly in the past we have gone in via Herring Creek and have usually come out with at least 1 buck per the 4 or 5 of us that make the yearly ride. Although in recent years we have notice more hunters packing back in there. The last 2 years we jumped to the other side of the 108 and rode in off of Clarks Fork after some positive preseason scouting. We have found some success back in there too with less hunting pressure as well. There is nothing like spending time in the Sierra Nevada backcounty atop a horse.

warren nelson · #24 (**permalink**) 07-26-2009, 08:07 AM

looks like we will be going into X9A this year if the season don't run into the NM Elk season for us.

doghouse · #25 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 01:48 AM

I've been packing in this state for a long time. I run the north state but not so much anymore. It's hard to find folks to pack with who know what they are doing and aren't afraid to cinch up a horse or mule.
It seem like every time I go packing with others I end up doing most of the work because they don't have a clue what to do.

don766 · #26 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gileegan

When we don't draw X12, we pack into D6. Mostly in the past we have gone in via Herring Creek and have usually come out with at least 1 buck per the 4 or 5 of us that make the yearly ride. Although in recent years we have notice more hunters packing back in there. The last 2 years we jumped to the other side of the 108 and rode in off of Clarks Fork after some positive preseason scouting. We have found some success back in there too with less hunting pressure as well. There is nothing like spending time in the Sierra Nevada backcounty atop a horse.

Have you ever hunted any of the Emigrant Wilderness? I have been considering the Buck Lake area