Out of curiosity has anyone tried hunting deer in D15? I'm debating on trying out the Santa Ana Mountains this season. I already have a spot that I want to check out but are there any tips you guys can give me or any regulations I need to be worried about in this area?
Hunting in D15
- Thread starter Pattch
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- deer orange county
I love that zone...i would imagine you will be getting a wikipedia report here shortly..standby!!!
I've hunted deer in D15 for the last few years. In my experience, this zone requires a lot of work ...or some good luck. Got me a decent forkie a couple years ago partly due to luck. Buddy and I scouted all summer and found a couple shooters that pretty much stayed in the same area. This specific area is very easily accessed, so of course come opening day, there were about 7 other hunters in that square mile lol. But, because I got familiar with the area and had a good idea where the deer were going to be, I walked out in the dark to set up.
Hilariously, a couple of the hunters saw me walking out and started following me! I came over a small ridge and waited for them. They came over after a few minutes and I confronted them(in a friendly manner). I asked what their plan was so we could minimize each other's interference. Their response was: "well, we were just following you." I face-palmed a bit and directed them to an area where I wasn't planning on going. I ended up setting up just as I planned and shot one of the two bucks we had scouted. Buddy was out of town so he missed out. Watched the other buck get chased around the rest of the morning while I dressed mine.
Point is, you either do a lot of work and find a good spot that is not easily accessed (and there are several in the zone), or you go to a more popular area, but plan on playing the crowd.
Hilariously, a couple of the hunters saw me walking out and started following me! I came over a small ridge and waited for them. They came over after a few minutes and I confronted them(in a friendly manner). I asked what their plan was so we could minimize each other's interference. Their response was: "well, we were just following you." I face-palmed a bit and directed them to an area where I wasn't planning on going. I ended up setting up just as I planned and shot one of the two bucks we had scouted. Buddy was out of town so he missed out. Watched the other buck get chased around the rest of the morning while I dressed mine.
Point is, you either do a lot of work and find a good spot that is not easily accessed (and there are several in the zone), or you go to a more popular area, but plan on playing the crowd.
Appreciate the response. Ill have to get a map to see where the no shooting areas are and get out there scouting.
Have you checked out the holy fire burn? I’m thinking it might be some good habitat in the next few years.
I was thinking that exact same thing. Although I don't believe you can hunt in holy jim canyon.
Yeah you can take the main divide truck trail to get up there. I believe the fire is on the Riverside side of the mountain as well
Check out on x maps
They have a trial version for your phone. I think there are a few 20% codes out there (Meateater)
Yeah I have onx but it dosen't show non shooting areas from what ive seen
I just checked the CNF website and main divide road north of ortega is still closed. Also, the entire holy fire area is still closed to any activity until the 14th according to this order: Holy Fire Closure
I was hiking up into the area a couple months ago until they posted up a sign notifying about the closure. I would make sure to follow the regs. There is this one forestry officer that is a real gung ho type if you know what I mean.
I was hiking up into the area a couple months ago until they posted up a sign notifying about the closure. I would make sure to follow the regs. There is this one forestry officer that is a real gung ho type if you know what I mean.
The entire wildomar area is also closed indefinitely since a few years ago after the Wildomar fire. South main divide is closed between Tenaja Falls and Elsinore peak. All these closures really narrow down where you can access the hunting land. As far as shooting, you just have to make sure you are on National Forest land and a certain distance from a road, trail, campsite or any structure.
Okay awesome, I'm going to do try and do some scouting of the maps and check out areas that I can access.
So I just looked and it looks like Maple Springs Road is open as long as its not wet and depending on fire danger
Good luck, yea the roads open, steep on both sides of the road. No flat land to hunt in.