My season has come to an end. I am leaving for sunny Cabo with no more opportunity to get a Deer this year. I will chase some quail when I get back.
It was my first year hunting for big game. I purchased an A22 tag. My hunting partner bailed on me and I had to just run with it. I never scouted for Deer before and had no clue where to start. With the help of this forum, CA DFG, the CNF, Onx and other resources I was able to get to some areas.
I drove to many areas, hiked a lot and got into some very challenging terrain mostly solo until the last couple of outings. I first spooked a couple of Does, then a couple of Bucks and would continue to see more Deer.
I went out about 12 or 13 times, mostly all day from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm. I have seen Deer about 9 times for a total of 11 Does and 2 Bucks. Had I had a riffle and a D16 tag I would have taken a shot to a Buck from 100+- yrs. This one Buck was Big, bigger than all the Deer I had seen.
Recently for my birthday I made a stupid mistake and held off on a shot at a nice Doe from 45yrds because a cabin appeared in my peripheral sight suddenly I believed I may have gotten into private property. Later I found out that was not the case at all and the take would have being perfectly legal...I was bummed because not only it would have being my first kill with a bow but it was my birthday too. Live and learn.
To summarize, in my opinion, I had a great A22 season. I hunted only from the ground with no blind (spot & stalk) and although the terrain was difficult I really enjoyed it. I learned to find Deer tracks and recognize tracks from a small doe to a big buck, and mountain lions. I learned to find animal trails and where to look for them. I learned to spot deer with my binos, I learned where to glass from and how to play the wind. I learned how to be 100% self-reliant although my navigation skills still need work. I also figured out what to bring and what to leave behind. I learned how Deer can hear you from 300yrds in a canyon (that one really shocked me).
I am already looking forward to next year.
I will post a review of the gear I used, I think it would be helpful to the new guys.
It was my first year hunting for big game. I purchased an A22 tag. My hunting partner bailed on me and I had to just run with it. I never scouted for Deer before and had no clue where to start. With the help of this forum, CA DFG, the CNF, Onx and other resources I was able to get to some areas.
I drove to many areas, hiked a lot and got into some very challenging terrain mostly solo until the last couple of outings. I first spooked a couple of Does, then a couple of Bucks and would continue to see more Deer.
I went out about 12 or 13 times, mostly all day from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm. I have seen Deer about 9 times for a total of 11 Does and 2 Bucks. Had I had a riffle and a D16 tag I would have taken a shot to a Buck from 100+- yrs. This one Buck was Big, bigger than all the Deer I had seen.
Recently for my birthday I made a stupid mistake and held off on a shot at a nice Doe from 45yrds because a cabin appeared in my peripheral sight suddenly I believed I may have gotten into private property. Later I found out that was not the case at all and the take would have being perfectly legal...I was bummed because not only it would have being my first kill with a bow but it was my birthday too. Live and learn.
To summarize, in my opinion, I had a great A22 season. I hunted only from the ground with no blind (spot & stalk) and although the terrain was difficult I really enjoyed it. I learned to find Deer tracks and recognize tracks from a small doe to a big buck, and mountain lions. I learned to find animal trails and where to look for them. I learned to spot deer with my binos, I learned where to glass from and how to play the wind. I learned how to be 100% self-reliant although my navigation skills still need work. I also figured out what to bring and what to leave behind. I learned how Deer can hear you from 300yrds in a canyon (that one really shocked me).
I am already looking forward to next year.
I will post a review of the gear I used, I think it would be helpful to the new guys.