2017 General Season D15

xjon

Active Member
Jul 26, 2014
563
236
43
24 hours to go until legal shooting time.....are you ready????
 
I'm ready for d14. Road hunters will be out of full force tomorrow. I hike in a ways the only thing I'm worried about is my truck parked on the side of a dirt road. Hopefully no one bothers it
 
I'm ready for d14. Road hunters will be out of full force tomorrow. I hike in a ways the only thing I'm worried about is my truck parked on the side of a dirt road. Hopefully no one bothers it

I have never had an issue with that remember people know it’s hunting season so it would take a lot of balls for some one to F****k with your stuff .
 
How did you guys do? I glasses up a buck about 800 yards. He looked to be pretty wide. Couldn't tell how many points he had but he was definitely a shooter. He was walking into some thick brush. I decided not to chase him. he was out at 8 o'clock. Which is good. Last year the temps for opening day were 15 degrees higher. also saw two spikes sparing right next to my truck. Young bucks are not super smart. They were 40 yards away and didn't care about me being there.


The area that I hunt can be frustrating. the wind shifts direction constantly because it's on the top of a mountain. But there is a good amount of deer and I'm the only one that hunts it. It's really dry and heavily wooded. So still hunting is basically impossible. Pretty much the only way to be successful is by luck. I'm gonna keep hunting it hard and hope for the best
 
  • Like
Reactions: ilovesprig
Was our in D-14 today. They were moving late in the morning. Tried to put the stalk on a giant, but he was way smarter then myself. Truly impressive on how they move through the thick brush with ease. Also saw 5 doe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
How did you guys do? I glasses up a buck about 800 yards. He looked to be pretty wide. Couldn't tell how many points he had but he was definitely a shooter. He was walking into some thick brush. I decided not to chase him. he was out at 8 o'clock. Which is good. Last year the temps for opening day were 15 degrees higher. also saw two spikes sparing right next to my truck. Young bucks are not super smart. They were 40 yards away and didn't care about me being there.


The area that I hunt can be frustrating. the wind shifts direction constantly because it's on the top of a mountain. But there is a good amount of deer and I'm the only one that hunts it. It's really dry and heavily wooded. So still hunting is basically impossible. Pretty much the only way to be successful is by luck. I'm gonna keep hunting it hard and hope for the best
We saw a doe and fawn about 5 feet off the road but didn't see anything else all day, too many people out there today where we were. Anyone have any tips beside heading out maple spring road to the ridge lines between lake Forest and carona?65f72365d0d3cb787c9d31b148106679.jpg

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
I was scrambling for shelter at 845am. As soon as sun hit I knew I wasn't going to last all day. Called it quits at 11 and was out by 2pm.

Saw group of 5 deer right at dawn and as soon as I switched to my rifle (450yds) someone took several shots. Never got to see if a buck was among them. Saw another group of 4 does going over a saddle. Hung out for a bit for acorns. I think I saw them again bedded on the other side.

Either I'm not conditioned or lacking motivation, but I feel my focus is not in the game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
Anyone have any tips beside heading out maple spring road to the ridge lines between lake Forest and carona?
Did you walk around? Does are cool if you stay in the car but if you open that door they'll bolt. I've never seen a buck from those roads though.

Just park the truck and walk to a high ridge that you can see deer shelter and saddles and start glassing. That would be for early morning and late evening. Mid day-bush wack and see if you can kick one up. The last tip is kind of rude if others are hunting that area.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
Did you walk around? Does are cool if you stay in the car but if you open that door they'll bolt. I've never seen a buck from those roads though.

Just park the truck and walk to a high ridge that you can see deer shelter and saddles and start glassing. That would be for early morning and late evening. Mid day-bush wack and see if you can kick one up. The last tip is kind of rude if others are hunting that area.
Yeah the does were on our way to a glassing point in the early morning after our first spot got over run by people, and yeah we hiked in off the road still nothing today unfortunately, I think the fires and bulldozers may have pushed them further south which is our game plan for tomorrow morning.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
NMD is still a road which will attract road hunters. Your best scouting there will be spoiled by them. Good luck tomorrow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
Go figure, I had to work on opening weekend. I made it up to my are today and spotted one doe. The way I see it If theres any doe around the group of bucks is just off somewhere else. First year I am actually attempting deer hunting because I actually saw bucks. I have been watching the doe heard for 4 years. The big buck of the group is just a forkie though haha.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
The big buck of the group is just a forkie though haha.
Usually a forkie is as old as they get in D15. Check out the stats in DFW.
Imagine (2017) 5.8% success rate totaling 46 bucks.
34 are 2 points
10 are 3 points
2 are 4 points
When you check the success rate...its very depressing. Only D8 is worse with a 5.1%. Out of the whole state which averages 15.7%
With those numbers...I wouldn't be too picky. Next spork dies.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
The forkie gene is strong in SoCal.....A big forkie can be a real trophy for a Pacific hybrid.
I agree, but I also think it has to do with age class as well. Young bucks simply get shot more often. They just aren't as weary as an old buck.

Most guys in So Cal are going to shoot the first buck they see and I don't blame them. They just don't get time to mature.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
Look harder. You’ll find bigger buck in 15. I basically live up there. My buddies are chasing around a 4x4 and a huge 3x3. I’ve personally have hunted for a 3x3 that’s a 3x4 this year that really big. But I’m not hunting 15 this year. I drew a different tag. Most the bucks are forkies but there is big bucks in the area.
 
Look harder. You’ll find bigger buck in 15. I basically live up there. My buddies are chasing around a 4x4 and a huge 3x3. I’ve personally have hunted for a 3x3 that’s a 3x4 this year that really big. But I’m not hunting 15 this year. I drew a different tag. Most the bucks are forkies but there is big bucks in the area.
I have a tag. You got the GPS cordinates?
 
I love these bigger forkies. This is the buck I'm after. But I'll shoot the first legal buck I get a shot at.

.IMG_0117.JPG
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé
at my age I can't get choosy any more. but generally I like young deer because it taste better and it's more tender. just as a young steer taste better than old one. my personnel preference.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Goyaałé

About us

  • SCHoutdoors was created in January of 2011 by a few people who love the outdoors. The main goal is still the same – bring people together who enjoy the outdoors and share their knowledge and experience.
    Outdoors in the West, Hunting gear reviews, Big Game, Small Game, Upland Game, Waterfowl, Varmint, Bow Hunting, long Range Rifles, Reloading, Taxidermy, Salt WaterFishing, Freshwater Fishing, Buy-Sell-Trade on Classifieds and Cooking/Recipes
    All things outdoors…come join us, learn, contribute and become part of the SCHoutdoors community.

Quick Navigation

User Menu