Hey guys. Here's my non-report for the weekend. I was trying to get off work wednesday but got called in. Same story friday. So Sat was my first chance to get out and look for some bone-heads.
Saturday I hiked into a spot with my wife. I had seen fresh sign there 2-3 weeks ago and I thought if I could just hit the right hour they might come out to play. We hiked in to the signy area and the old sign was there with nothing new. Not good. But anyway we went in a bit further and set up against some rocks, and waited. And waited. Saw another pair of hunters hike in and then head off another way. Hiked out in the dark and grabbed some burritos on the way home.
This morning I decided to head out to Pine Valley. I don't mind saying where since as far as I can tell there are no secrets out there. I must have seen 50-100 hunters out there between sunrise and 10 am, when I finally popped out up on Laguna. Along the way virtually every turnout had a truck in it, and some had half a dozen. On some of the high points I stopped to glass over hills and valleys. I could see guys way out (far from the road) in their blaze orange. I have read here, on public land you have to out work other hunters. At least some of these guys were trying. In all that I didn't see or hear any evidence of success.
Tonight I decided to give myself a break and hopefully bring home at least a little meat. I went to spot where I consistently pick up rabbits. A friend had also told me she saw quail. I rarely see anyone there, but tonight there were a dozen cars in the parking area. Tons of hikers, mountain bikers, etc. I hiked in 3 miles, for rabbits and quail, and didn't see a damn thing.
Now I'm home, sweaty and hungry, and trying to plan my next move. I have wednesday off for sure and another place I want to try. At the very least I'm hoping to get away from the crowds.
Saturday I hiked into a spot with my wife. I had seen fresh sign there 2-3 weeks ago and I thought if I could just hit the right hour they might come out to play. We hiked in to the signy area and the old sign was there with nothing new. Not good. But anyway we went in a bit further and set up against some rocks, and waited. And waited. Saw another pair of hunters hike in and then head off another way. Hiked out in the dark and grabbed some burritos on the way home.
This morning I decided to head out to Pine Valley. I don't mind saying where since as far as I can tell there are no secrets out there. I must have seen 50-100 hunters out there between sunrise and 10 am, when I finally popped out up on Laguna. Along the way virtually every turnout had a truck in it, and some had half a dozen. On some of the high points I stopped to glass over hills and valleys. I could see guys way out (far from the road) in their blaze orange. I have read here, on public land you have to out work other hunters. At least some of these guys were trying. In all that I didn't see or hear any evidence of success.
Tonight I decided to give myself a break and hopefully bring home at least a little meat. I went to spot where I consistently pick up rabbits. A friend had also told me she saw quail. I rarely see anyone there, but tonight there were a dozen cars in the parking area. Tons of hikers, mountain bikers, etc. I hiked in 3 miles, for rabbits and quail, and didn't see a damn thing.
Now I'm home, sweaty and hungry, and trying to plan my next move. I have wednesday off for sure and another place I want to try. At the very least I'm hoping to get away from the crowds.
Keep at it and don't let it get you down.
