First attempt at D16

[kylemg0009]

Downloaded the OnX map app to start finding out where I can hunt in D16. Marked several different places to try and got packed and everything prepared last night. Left my place in north OC this morning at 4am and got to my spots around 6 am. Took me forever to find openings in between all the private properties, and when I did find some, there was already a truck parked there. I didn't want to just park there with them so I moved on. Found another opening back on my maps and had to backtrack a bit. It was a large access area and there was only one other truck so I decided to go for it. Walking in, there were deer tracks everywhere, some seemed a bit old but at least I know that deer are there. I had an idea of where the other hunter Might have gone due to tracks so I went the opposite way. There was so much thick and head high bush that I eventually funneled into the same area and we spotted each other about 50 yards away. He seemed like he was stalking so I just stood there as to not make any noise. He made some hand signals to me to go around on the his left side so I did, saw him again about 15 minutes later so I decided to just hike back to the car as to not disturb him. He was back at his truck when I got back. He and I chatted a bit, he said he's never run into somebody at that spot as it was an area with knee high grass and was huntable. I told him again sorry for coming up on him like that. He had his family with him and will be setting up a tree stand as he has had luck there before. I should have asked him if he was on this forum, if so, sorry again!
So all in all, no meat in the freezer, but had a great time out there with my bow for the first time.
Did I handle that situation correctly? I try to follow common sense as much as possible and he didnt seem displeased with me. Let me know if there was something else I could have done or avoided for the future!

 

[Bonejour]

Kyle, I think you and he both handled it beautifully. It's public land; go along and get along. Anyway I'd say you are picking good spots from your map and aerial photo recon. Well done.

 

[MJB]

Your good........I would just back out instead of hitting the same area he was in after the brush got to thick.......you still had time to hit another spot.

In Laguna I'll drive the roads around and check who's where then pick a spot to still hunt where their are no other hunters.

 

[DanSanDiego]

Next time ask him if you can share the tree stand.

There is a tree stand in one of the areas that I hunt and I really wish that I knew who managed it so that I could ask them if they mind me sitting in it when they aren't there (I've never seen anyone in it but it is too nice to be abandoned). I'd even be willing to pay them for using it and I'd email them in advance so we wouldn't be there at the same time.

Maybe I'll start carrying 'Hunter business cards' to pass out to those I meet.

 

[akrem44]

I know exactly where that picture is! I was there last week only saw few deer but no big buck winner


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kylemg0009]

Next time ask him if you can share the tree stand.

There is a tree stand in one of the areas that I hunt and I really wish that I knew who managed it so that I could ask them if they mind me sitting in it when they aren't there (I've never seen anyone in it but it is too nice to be abandoned). I'd even be willing to pay them for using it and I'd email them in advance so we wouldn't be there at the same time.

Maybe I'll start carrying 'Hunter business cards' to pass out to those I meet.

Haha I would have but he had his wife and two sons with him. No better Sunday family outting than that.

akrem, yeah its nice to find an area where you're not getting wacked in the face by branches

 

[MJB]

No one is going to let you sit in their stand........that's not how it works.

Buy your own and put it where you want to hunt.....just put it where you don't see any other stand......

 

[DanSanDiego]

The fact that the other Hunter brought up the plan for a tree stand was an invitation for further discussion. Some hunters would be interested in building up a partner network since many of our usual friends do not hunt. Saying that no one is going to let you sit in their tree stand is like saying "no one is going to take a group of fellow hunters out for a ring neck pheasant hunt" - we know there are congenial hunters out there as evidenced by Ghost's great example.

 

[MJB]

Good luck with that birds is a little different than deer hunting.......now if he tagged out I'd say you'd have a chance if you could add value.....repainted stand, help to take down ect.....

 

[Aeon]

Generally speaking you can't and should not try to squat in another hunters tree stand. Now if you have a group of close friends then maybe. I can count the people I let do that on one hand.

So get your own stand, place it where you are not short stopping another hunter and go for it.

You can tell abandoned stands pretty easy, if they are covered in spider webs and crud by mid season it's a good bet they are not using it and now you can set up near it.

 

[Bonejour]

I'll stick to home-made brushed-in ground stands, or spot and stalk, at least on public land. Tree stands on public land are too complicated for me.

 

[kylemg0009]

Thank you for all the info, long story short, buy a tree stand if you want to hunt out of one, or invest in one with a few buddies. I didn't think tree stands were very big out here in Southern California in the first place. I'm going to try to go out again next weekend, and get there a little earlier this time. Hopefully it wont be so hot either!

 

[MJB]

Buy them at the end of the season when they go on sale. You can get three hangers for about 150 then you have many choices to work the wind or just different areas. The PITA is hanging them and taking them down be safe......

 

[Bowman]

Kyle

have you used deer stands before?

Please be advised there is a important safety procedures.
fall arrest harness
procedure for going up and down
and pulling up your gear after strapping up with the fall arrest harness, with a safety rope.

study it well and practice before going to the field.

Ghost

 

[kylemg0009]

Kyle

have you used deer stands before?

Please be advised there is a important safety procedures.
fall arrest harness
procedure for going up and down
and pulling up your gear after strapping up with the fall arrest harness, with a safety rope.

study it well and practice before going to the field.

Ghost

No I don't have one, and am not really looking into one at this time. I still need a lot more experience and time on the field before I invest in anymore hunting equipment

 

[Bonejour]

No I don't have one, and am not really looking into one at this time. I still need a lot more experience and time on the field before I invest in anymore hunting equipment

Right on Kyle. That's the spirit!