Where Are You From & Where Do You Hunt Blacktails? - Page 3

gonehunting · #61 (**permalink**) 09-16-2004, 10:12 PM

I am new to Cali, this year is my first year hunting Blactails. So far I have been having a blast! I hunt on the central coast and have seen alot of small bucks so far, I seen some nice ones in pre season scouting, and I am holding out for one of them. A .243 has been my hunting companion this year, but I am getting back into bowhunting and will be ready for next year. My dream blacktail hunt would be just getting a nice mature buck here.

Ryan

revulshawn · #62 (**permalink**) 09-20-2004, 07:19 PM

Well, I'm glad I finally registered here. I've been active on the North American Hunting club forum for a while now, but I like the blacktail thing here. I'm 17, and live in San Diego, and go by the name of Shawn. I hunt blacktails in B4 in the King's Range. I will be up there Wednesday the 29th until the last sunday of the season. I have not yet killed a dear, but have been hunting them for 5 seasons. I am becoming a little frustrated, but I hope for a little luck next week. Stay safe everyone, and good luck in the field!

revulshawn · #63 (**permalink**) 09-20-2004, 07:21 PM

Zero, I shoot an M77 as well, but in .270. I also have 2 of them in .308. I may be hunting near Marin next year, as I have a good friend who lives there, and I would like to go visit her during the season.

venisonjerky · #64 (**permalink**) 09-21-2004, 06:34 PM

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Im from Grants Pass,Or. Blacktail Heaven. Mostly rifle hunting Deer,Elk,Bear. Shotgun>Gobble-Gobble's

Hunt here locally! Iv'e been hunting for over 30 years
here and know the area "Quite Well". any takers on a killer Deer/Bear hunt?

Dean · #65 (**permalink**) 09-29-2004, 07:46 PM

Wow, I feel like a forigner here. I didn't know so many people in California hunted. I guess I was thinking LA, Disney Land, Magic Mountain . . . you get the picture. I hunt blacktail in Western Washington. Yes, it rains here. I have shot them with just about every popular large rifle caliber but for the past few years I have settled on a 6.5X55. Most of the shots are fairly short, as in 100 yards or less. Lots of rain equals lots of brush so visibality can be limited. Unless you hunt the clear cuts the chances are you will get close. I actually stepped over a log and on a sleeping doe once. I am not sure which one of us was the most scared, but she was certianly faster than I was. I hunted hogs on the Northern California coast one year and saw a few blacktail on that trip.

jaketos · #66 (**permalink**) 10-10-2004, 01:28 AM

My name is Jake I am originally from Hanford CA, but now I live in Rifle CO. I will be moving back to cali soon. Getting Married and that is where she lives and I lost the coin toss. Thats OK I get to hunt Blacktails again. I shoot a Ruger M77 in .260 or a Mauser in .243, I am also having a Custom .280 Ackley IMP built as I write this. Should be done in 6 weeks or so. I shot my first Blacktail 8 yrs ago. I was 16 21 in. wide 19 tall 3X3. although I missed one that would have ate him for a midnight snack the week before (27 in wide 5X4) I was very happy. A buddy killed him next day. I have been going hunting with my dad since I was 4. I hunt on a ranch in coalinga. My dream hunt would be shooting a 4X4 or larger blacktail on public land with a bow. that is more of a goal than a hunt but thats all I have. Shooting a Sitka in AK would be cool too.

OregonHunter · #67 (**permalink**) 10-28-2004, 05:04 PM

Hiya All

My name is Michael and live in Medford, Southern Oregon...about 25 miles from 'venisonjerky'. I've been hunting Blacktails for almost 30 years, when my Grandfather got me hooked. Although he and I had hunted on weekends, my first real hunt was when I was a sophmore in high school. My Grandad and Uncle took my brother and I on a 3-day opening weekend hunting trip to the Agate Flats/Soda Mt. area of Southern Oregon. I killed my first buck that weekend...a nice 5-point.

My avatar shows a picture of the 4x5 buck I killed last year about 45 miles from my home. He scores 132 1/8 and will be in the 2006 edition of the Oregon State Record Book. I've also been an avid elk hunter for the past 12 years...taking the week of elk season off every year and pursuing these beasts in the mountains near my home.

The weapon of choice is the only rifle I use at this time. It is a 7mm Weatherby Mag I've used for all hunting for the past 24 years. Granted, I believe a .270 Winchester would be the optimum caliber, but when you have one rifle, I tend to choose a size that will take the biggest animal I hunt...elk.

thousand28 · #68 (**permalink**) 11-29-2004, 07:24 PM

I am originally from NY state and now live in Orangevale CA and hunt in the D/3-5 zones. This year I was able to take the biggest deer I have ever seen alive, a 5x5 blacktail with a 25" spread. Hopefully pictures will be posted soon. I have hunted CA blacktails now for 4 years and finally tagged one. This year I purchased a Rem 700, 7mm Rem Mag, Barska 3-9x50 scope and it worked great during the hunt. As for other game, I hunt ducks, pheasants, turkeys, coyotes, whatever.

Blacktail Hunter · #69 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 05:58 PM

Wow, its great to find a site with a Blacktail hunting topic, most of em are all whitetail. Its also great to read posts from people close to home (San Ramon, Livermore, Sacramento, Roseville, Dixon, Alamo, Elk Grove, Pleasanton, etc)

Anyway, my name is Bill, I'm 33 and I live in the SF bay area (Pittsburg). I found this site through a link at Archerytalk.com. While I still have a few rifles, I started bowhunting about 5 years ago and fell in love with it. I currently own 2 bows, a PSE and a Renegade. I hardly use my rifles anymore.

I grew up hunting with my Grandpa in zone D-3 (near the guy from Grass valley), but gave up on it about 10 years ago......the deer just aint there anymore like they used to be. Lots of cougar and bears though. Now its zone B-6 for me, right on the Oregon border in Siskiyou county (not far from the guy from Medford, OR). High altitude and rough terrain, but there are some BIG bucks up there!

My dream blacktail hunt would have to be packing into the Marble Mountain area. I've never been there, but I have heard there are some real bruisers up there.

BTW,

Common Sense · #70 (**permalink**) 02-15-2005, 07:44 PM

Blacktail Hunter:

Welcome to the best forum I have ever been a part of (course it's the only forum I've ever been a part of). Lots of good folk and information here.

bronyaur · #71 (**permalink**) 03-14-2005, 08:20 PM

I live in the Napa Valley. I've been hunting blacktails since I was 14. I learned from my dad and others when I hunted the Palisades in Calistoga for many years. The property we hunted has become part of a State Park, so no more hunting there. There's hardly any public land left in Napa County that can be hunted, and those places have a lot of people and few deer. Now, most of my hunting occurs when we hunt muleys in Utah every year on public land.

A friend is a Wilderness Unlimited member and we've bowhunted Spy Rock Ranch in Mendocino Co. for pigs and deer the last couple of years. Lots of big pigs, but few deer, and the deer we've seen were dinks. Looking forward to hiking around Lake Sonoma with my bow next year.

My rifle is a .280 Remington M700 Mountain Rifle, and my bow is an Oneida Eagle Stealth that I upgraded with ESC limbs.

Matt

natureboy300 · #72 (**permalink**) 05-11-2005, 05:27 PM

Hey all,
New to the forums, and just thought Id drop a line. My name is Rich and live in Livermore CA. My dad has been a member of a private ranch about 30 minutes away from our house since 1969. He is the one who got me interested in hunting, and I have pictures of me up there when I was still in a car seat, I am 32 now. I shot my first blacktail up there when I was 12 and have yet to hunt a season without taking a deer. 3 years ago I was fortunate enough to become a member of the same ranch. This year when dues time came up for the ranch all the members were sent a letter saying that our hunting leases would not be renewed, which was both shocking and devestating. The 20 members that made up the ranch were like a second family to me, I had grown up with all of them, and were the best group of guys i've yet to meet.
All in all I cant complain I have alot of fond memories and have gotten to expierence something many have not. So now im looking at the internet 3-4 days a week trying to figure out what im going to do this season. Being on private land has spoiled me im sure so im trying to keep my expectations of hunting public realistic. I plan on hunting A zone and either B or D6. I plan to hunt some wilderness areas and other places that dont see much vehicle traffic to kinda get away from the crowds.
Nice to meet you all, and will see you on the boards.

Rich

Ozone · #73 (**permalink**) 05-22-2005, 06:18 PM

I'm from Vancouver Island British Columbia (eh) and got back into hunting about 4 yrs ago after a 10 year period (hunting partner(dad) got sick and past away). Just didnt seem the same after that. Been lucky so far (7 Blackies and a bear). Up on the Island our deer arent as big to make B&C you only need a 100 points. I like to shoot my Tikka 3006 and have been think about picking up a bow. I also like to hunt with my lab. Not as a hunting dog but just as a hunting partner(she's a very relaxed tennis ball retreiver. good partner exept she let me get stepped on by a doe while stitting against a tree while she slept beside me). This is my first post on a forum so i hope it works.

Corinthian · #74 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 12:09 PM

Hi,
Just got referred to this site by one of the other forums that i hang around on.
New to US (3 years over here), new to hunting... not yet got anything, but, am trying.

I hail from Santa Cruz County, CA. Have been trying the BLM lands around I-198 corridor without much luck..

Fav Weapons -
Bow - Oneida Black Eagle ESC (accept no substitute)
Rifle - Arisaka T38 6.5mm (rescued barreled action)
- Original config German K98 (RC) 8mm for heavy work (iron sights)

Fav Hunts -
Well, non as yet...

Dream Hunts -
Anything that will improve my skills and get me out there into the wild. I dont really care if i manage to harvest something, that will be a BIG bonus.

Rob

BDB · #75 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 12:22 PM

Welcome to the site Corinthian. As you can see by my avatar, I am an Oneida shooter also. 2004 BE ESC! Glad to have you aboard. You and I make the sole Oneida shooting contingent on this site I think, probably all of CA for that matter

Stick around, it's a great place. I am a member of KMA (Kings Mountain Archery) archery club just outside Redwood City. Great club with some good guys there. Maybe you can get out and join a few of us for a shoot sometime.

You say you are new to the US, where ya from? I'm a Canuck from Halifax, NS originally and been in CA for about 7 years.

Cheers and welcome to the site !!

Steve

Corinthian · #76 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 04:17 PM

I think that bronyaur is an Oneida shooter... although he says that he has a Stealth thats upgraded to the ESC Limbs....
Hmmm.... Sith Steath... he is from the dark side..

BDB · #77 (**permalink**) 08-01-2005, 04:22 PM

Interesting, and he's from CA too. I hadn't seen him post before. I see he is new with 3 posts. Maybe the Oneida's are starting a westward track.

bux-n-dux · #78 (**permalink**) 08-10-2005, 09:29 AM

Hey Y-all-

My name's Nate, from San Rafael CA> I'm 33 anf have been hunting blacktails since I was 12. I mostly hunt on public land in the Mendocino NF. This year DFG has shortened A zone, so my favorite spots are now B zone. Bummer. But I will be out for the opener this weekend nonetheless. I usually hunt alone, but am always looking for a good partner or two. I always scout pre-season and find this helps tremendously in establishing where they will be on opening day. This doesnt always mean I get 'em, though.

I have 3 deer rifles but use my Smith and Wesson Model 1500 in .243 with a Redfield 2x7 scope most of all. Federal Vital-shok with 100 grain Nosler Solid Base is my ammo of choice. I think it's the finest factory loaded .243 ammo available, and the solid base is the perfect blacktail bullet, much more versatile and hard hitting than the ballistic tip. Second is my Marlin 336 in .35 Remington with custom loaded Hornady XTP 156 grain hollow points.

If anyone wants to join me for grueling, hot, dry, miles-walked and stalked blacktail hunts in the forest, feel free to email me at 1crazyarcher@sbcglobal.net and maybe we can gut one together.

Give 'Em Hell,

Nate

paddiewagon · #79 (**permalink**) 10-12-2005, 12:26 PM

Just wanted to say thanks for such an informative site. This rocks! I'm from San Jose and started hunting blacktails when I was 16 (1984), although I tagged along for two seasons before that. I started out with a Win 30-30 and shot my first (and unfortunately only) buck with it the very next year in D-5 up above Bear River Res. I now use a 7mm mag, which my dad finally passed down to me this year, although I hunted with it for many years after I graduated from the 30-30. We used to hunt D-5 every year, up high and down low, with very little success. We also hunted the B zone up above Castle Crags state park, also w/ no success. I give credit mostly to my pops, who taught me how to hunt and respect weapons. I'm looking for some insights from the old-timers and more successful blacktail hunters out there to learn from and hopefully improve my odds the next time out.
Cheers!!

RDub · #80 (**permalink**) 11-12-2005, 07:57 PM

Hiya

I'm from Southern Oregon and hunt blacktails primarily in Josephine and Jackson counties. Very interesting creatures these blacktails..
I was unsuccessful this year.. I didn't see any deer in the areas I normally see deer every year.

My Dad taught me to hunt. He drug me out at a very early age and I had a .22 in my hands at 4 years of age. But a good buddy of mine here taught me the ropes about blacktail.

I use a 7x57AI and a .300 H&H for the longer shots.

A dream hunt would be getting a ride on a helo and repelling into the most remote area I could find and spend 3-4 days out there. Then a helo ride out.
That would be fun..

Catch y'all later..

RDub

2rocky · #81 (**permalink**) 12-23-2005, 04:27 PM

Ok Folks, Heres my first post to introduce myself.

I'm from the North Bay Area in California, and I've hunted Blacktails since 1984. I recently started Archery hunting, and I Love It! I'll hunt CA in the B zones, as well as a few quick hunts in A zone when I get a chance. I've attached a picture of my latest buck. My first with a bow to be exact!

TRey · #82 (**permalink**) 02-18-2006, 10:21 PM

Hello!

I'm new here. I have been hunting blacktails for a long time now. I hunt private land in A-Zone with rifle and bow and public land in B-Zone with a rifle.

Killed my all time best buck this last season with my new Thompson Center .30-06 single shot.

Norcalihunter · #83 (**permalink**) 02-19-2006, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TRey@Feb 18 2006, 10:21 PM
Hello!

I'm new here. I have been hunting blacktails for a long time now. I hunt private land in A-Zone with rifle and bow and public land in B-Zone with a rifle.

Killed my all time best buck this last season with my new Thompson Center .30-06 single shot.

lets see some pictures!!!! welcome to the board!!

T.R. · #84 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 10:17 AM

We owned a home just outside of Oaks, CA in the Napa Valley region. For many years I hunted the ridges above Pope Valley with a Marlin 44MAG carbine equipped with a Williams sight. A short and light carbine that will topple any buck out to 85 yards or so. At that time, I rec'd permission from a Beringer Winery foreman to cross the private lands and vinyards to reach those BLM ridges. But I rarely observed a buck with more than two points per side. I shot many bucks over the years. I recall when a double buck A Zone license was $16.00 but that was long before Pete Wilson became the Fascist Dictator of California.

Hunting in August takes planning and preparation. I used to stash a partially frozen gallon of water at the halfway mark of my hike to refill my canteens for the long walk back. The bucks were skinned and quartered immediatly after removing the entrails. I'd pack the meat out on a tube frame backpack. Back at my van was a large cooler filled with ice bags to chill the meat.

Best part about hunting A Zone in Napa County is that the hills are deserted. I never saw a single hunter nor even heard a rifle shot! I thought I was the only one who hunted in A Zone!

One year, I made the long trip to Hayfork, CA in the Trinity Alps region. I hunted the edges of an old burn from a 1970-ish forest fire. I killed one forky and a wide racked 4X4 buck. Biggest blacktail I'd ever seen and I'll likely never see another like it! I'll attach a photo soon.
TR

Tommy619420 · #85 (**permalink**) 05-03-2006, 10:55 PM

I am from San Diego I will be hunting in the D-16 section. This is my first time, I Shoot a Remington 700 adl 30-06 3x9 40mm pentex scope. Will be taking my MINI-14 too its nice shoots strait as an arrow open sights.

Looking to get a Blacktail or a mulie

Rikochet · #86 (**permalink**) 08-18-2006, 07:58 PM

Hello All, a new guy here. I have recently joined and have only a few posts, so I thought I would tell a little about myself. I have chased blacktails since I was a kid. I was going with my dad and grandfather and pretended when I was little, to be like them. I was camping in diapers. I also hunt mulies and have gotten a few in Colorado. I have a few blacktails too.They were taken on public land in the Condon Peak area. I hunted FHL for the first time last year and got a forky there the last weekend. I shoot a .270 with hand loads and a .243 also with hand loads. I have taken only one hog, and that also was at Condon. Looking forward to reading the stories and the hunts with you guys in the future.

SARB11 · #87 (**permalink**) 08-26-2006, 09:39 AM

GOOD TO MEET YOU ALL.
I LIVE IN BAKERSFIELD CA. BUT HUNT D-3 IN NEVADA COUNTY. I STARTED HUNTING BLACKTAILS IN 88 WHEN I LIVED IN GRASS VALLEY FROM 80 TO 90. I LIVED IN THE FOOTHILLS BY CAMPFIRE WEST LAKE. BEEN GOING BACK AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE MARINES IN 94. SHOOT A 7MM REM MAG. HUNT ON A FRIENDS 300 ACRE RANCH. HAD A BUCK EVERY YEAR SINCE 94 BUT GOT SKUNKED IN 05, WEATHER WAS TOO HOT. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAD BACK UP ON OPENING, GOOD LUCK TO ALL THIS SEASON.

Dirt Nap · #88 (**permalink**) 08-29-2006, 08:43 PM

My name is Jeremy and I live in what you might consider true Northern Cali. I live up by Eureka about 80 miles from the Oregon border right on the coast. I have been hunting blacktail for as long as I can remember, (which happens to be shorter these days). I am not what you would consider a trophy hunter but I have been lucky enough to take numerous bucks around and over the magic 20 inch mark with my biggest being a 24 inch bruiser I took on a pack in trip in the Trinity Alps. Nowadays I hunt mainly on small to large pockets and parcels of public land located off Route 1 in Humboldt and Trinity County. A GPS with mapping software really helps.

I hunt with both archery and rifle season with equal vigour. Right now I am shooting a Martin bow but have shot Hoyt, Mathews and Forge in the past. Truthfully I bought the Martin as kind of a joke in that I choose it not because it was the latest or greatest, but because the advertisement contained a really hot chick shooting a bow so I thought, "why not". It has turned out to be a really nice bow and although I buy a new bow about every other year I will most likely choose Martin again. My rifle selection starts and stops with the 30-06. In fact I have two identical Browning A bolts both in 30-06. I always liked the saying "Beware of the man who only shoots one rifle".

I have recently gotten introduced to pig hunting and it has been a blast. I have hunted 4 times for the little beasties over by Williams, Ca on a private ranch and it is a hoot. The hardest thing about pig hunting seems to be finding someone willing to fork out the dough and required time to make a trip from NorCal since it seems like most of the places want at least two people and all of the places are hours and hours from home.

Anyways...anyone looking for the strainght dope about my neck of the woods don't hesitate to post a question and I will do my best to give or find out the info for you.

madmax · #89 (**permalink**) 09-19-2006, 09:27 PM

My name is Scott and I live in Red Bluff, CA and hunt blacktail in B5. I come from a large family of hunters. We have been hunting the area for about 40 years. I use my Greatgrandma's old 257 Roberts. I am 18 and after this weekend I have taken 4 bucks since I was 12. My smallest was a 17" 3 point. As a college student I don't have a whole lot of time to hunt, but I do as much as possible.

PracTac · #90 (**permalink**) 10-06-2006, 06:05 AM

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the site and this too is my first reply. I've done quite a bit of Whitetail hunting back in Georgia while growing up, but have only been actively hunting here in SoCal. for last three years. I own, but retired a fred Bear recurve bow that I used it in Georgia, but currently have not invested in anything new yet in the bow arena. I am going out tomorrow with a friend A31, and he's allowing me to use his spare.

As far as rifle, I have several favorites, but the three mostly used depending where I go are a Marlin 336C 35 Rem., Howa lightning .308 Win, and a Win. .308 HV. All of which are topped with good glass, my eyes aren't the best. I usually head out to A zone or D13, lockwood valley road, or D11 out here in SBM or AF, lytle Creek, Wrightwood, or Azusa canyon.

The hunt that I look most forward to is just the season. Everything stops cause there just isn't anything like being out there. So, every season is my dream hunt.