Help me be a better deer hunter

[Tbob]

Hello all,
I'm new to SD and have never hunted this type of terrain before. I'm am used to hunting the jungles of Western Wa. We can usually see maybe 20 yrds on a good day. Just curious if anyone can give me some advise to become a successful southern Ca deer hunter. It's all new to me so anything helps.. Thanks in advance! I love to scout and have no problem at all burning boot leather either. I got some good glass and ready to role! I generally hunt the archery season, but with CA giving 2 deer tags per year I may try both archery and rifle this year.. Thanks again!!

 

[D16hunter]

My best advice would be to scout as much as possible before the season and buy a good map of public lands or get an app that you can download offline public land maps onto. Also if your a small game hunter be sure to bring a rifle or a shotgun for rabbits once the rabbit season starts it looks like it might be a decent year for em I've seen quite a few lately

 

[D16hunter]

Also don't be discouraged if you don't kill one this year it takes a few years to get to know the area your hunting before you can consistently kill deer I've met people who don't hunt hard and kill a deer every 5 years or so. Hours in equals reward

 

[MJB]

Glass, glass and more glassing.......spotter helps to know if it's a buck before you hike all over the place......get some gators for the rattlers and foxtails. BLM is good place to start look at the edges of private/public

 

[ilovesprig]

TBob,

There's miles of public land here in SD (D-16) that has deer, BLM, CNF, and wildlife areas.....There's even two bow only areas that always have deer (Laguna's & San Felipe WA).....In most cases, your going to have to walk and much of it is up hill.....So get in shape. My experience for the most part is the guys that work the hardest, seem to be the luckiest.....

Glassing like MJB has stated is of the utmost importance.....It's big country with lots of ravines, draws, and brush. Amongst that are deer trails. If you find a good used one, stay with it......I have a friend that gets a rifle buck just about every year on public land and he hunts one of the most popular areas. He watches the same deer trail year after year......Our deer herds have done OK in this drought......Looking for food and water sources are always a good thing in the months before the seasons open.......Good luck

 

[Bonejour]

Tbob, great question. I'm attaching a link to an amazing thread from awhile back.
http://southerncaliforniahunting.com/huntersforum/index.php?topic=4793

 

[Benjammin]

I have found using a tripod for binos works incredibly great & you can use for spotting scope also. Pm me for info on deer in d 16 as well as I am archery only & am looking for hunting partner. Thanks. Sincerely Ben.

 

[D16hunter]

TBob,

My experience for the most part is the guys that work the hardest, seem to be the luckiest.....

X2 you can't half a** anything when it comes to hunting out here if you want to be successful put your hours in and you will kill one

 

[ilovesprig]

Great thread Don.......Should help a lot with learning our area.......Few more pix of some of our local habitat.......Private & public.

.

 

[Lungpopper]

Glass, glass and more glassing.......spotter helps to know if it's a buck before you hike all over the place......get some gators for the rattlers and foxtails. BLM is good place to start look at the edges of private/public

Take this advise and get elevated.

 

[Tbob]

Thanks so much for all the great insight and advise. This country is just so different! Looks like it's time to start hiking and getting out there. Just ordered an OnX huntCA chip for my Garmin and getting a few maps sent by snail mail. Can't wait to see how things go! At least I won't have to wear my Gortex head to toe everyday

 

[MJB]

Here it's clothing that's wicks and water, water and bring more water......get a water filter it could save your life

 

[Tbob]

Yeah, I've noticed its a little dry around here.. I have a few nice water filters. Always keep one with me..

 

[infidel]

Don't be discouraged by the heat. I will wear hunters out before it wears the deer out. Take your pick. If your comfortable slow/still hunting find a thick zone that makes you feel at home otherwise it's mainly glass everything then do it again and again. And if you really figure out a zone you can probably make a ground blind or put a stand up and be successful.


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