few ?'s about my scouting today.

[Tbob]

So my deal: new to the SD area and this was my 2nd scouting mission today, burning about 7 miles of boot leather. So I have a couple questions for you SoCal hunters out there.

Picture one: one area I came across had this type of pine/cedar terrain. Was just wondering how you guys go about hunting this type of stuff? Do you get in and just blind yourself in for a long sit (ambush style) do you tree stand in this kind of terrain or do you creep along still hunting? Also I guess another question is, do these SoCal deer even like to hangout in this type of stuff?

Picture two: I walked in this canyon type, rolling hills terrain with all this, head high, really really thick pokey kind of "scrub brush" with a nice little valley below that looked like it had some nice big oak trees in the bottom. Do the deer around here like this kind of meadow transition type stuff? How would you hunt this type of terrain? Also do the deer like to hang out in that really thick crap all along the hills? I could barely get threw it so I didn't think the deer would like it much. Or will there be trails threw that kind of area for them to travel on? I stuck to the pine trees area more just because it was easier for me, but if they like that head high really thick stuff on the big rolling hills I'll head in there for more scouting.
Just trying to get things better figured out for the up coming deer season. Oh, I usually hunt the archery season and this was in the D-16 area.. Thanks for all the great avice I'm sure you all will give me! You guys never come up short on experience and great advice for us SoCal newbs!
Didn't see any deer today, but I did see some tracks and heard a few turkeys gobbling, so i marked those on my GPS. Kinda neat to hear!

 

[MJB]

First off tracks & scat will tell you more than we can if there are deer in the area......that's what I do I look for tracks and lots of them find lots of scat old and new and follow all trails with tracks in the area. You'll have bedding feeding and water then you hunt them where they are during legal hours. Follow the tracks & trails & you'll figure them out........

It's early for scouting but you'll get to know the area......right now the bucks are all together and the does are soon to drop so kill all the yotes you see and if a doe Bulldogs you or charges back out her fawn is near.
Good luck

 

[ilovesprig]

Our deer do live in that thick stuff (chaparral)......It gives them the most protection from predators, including humans. In fact, a study done near Lake Henshaw showed that radioed bucks would spend most their time within a small area in the thickest stuff. Only time they ventured out much was during the rut......The pines pic is not common habitat in SD Co. So, I'm thinking that area is probably bow only.....Never hunted it, but I know tree stands are common there.....Big meadows like pictured are always desirable by deer. The problem is on public land that place is crawling with hunters......If they do use it, it will be at dark thirty.

Find good used deer/game trails near these areas. Let the other guys do the moving.....Bucks will sneak around in the thick stuff........2 cents

More public habitat to look for.....Manzanita, live oak, buck brush....

.

 

[Cali Ridge Runner]

The pines picture is not a big area and you will hit private property not to far beyond those trees. The second picture is public around that valley. The lower land down there is private. These areas are really popular during rifle.

 

[Tbob]

Thanks for the info guys! Really appreciate the replies. Im finding it quite difficult to learn areas to hunt within 2 hours of home. I know I'm new and it takes time, but I'm still going to give it a try for archery season this year in D-16 so.. I'll just keep at it and asking you guys more dumb questions thanks again! Cool pictures btw! Gets me even more motivated!

 

[MJB]

Look for small pockets of BLM land........and water sources