I got bit by the bug

These guys are doing a great job pointing you in the right direction. Anytime you can get an advantage (like base access) I would absolutely jump on it.
 
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Good afternoon all,

I don't know why it took so long, but I've decided to become a hunter this year. I signed up on the CDFW website and found a class at Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga and passed my Hunter Ed course. Now I need to get the license, and tags. I am a disabled Vet so I will be going into the Trabuco Ranger District office once the new season licenses become available, I think that's mid-April, to get the Disabled Vet Discount, and apply for tags

I live in Lake Elsinore and work in Irvine. My daily commute is Ortega Highway, so my life is pretty much in the heart of D15. I am an avid hiker and amateur photographer. I frequently stop on my way home and do a quick hike off of Ortega, usually starting at the candy store. I've been to most summits in the area and all but Clarks Trail in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. I had a pretty nasty ancle sprain early 2022 and have only recently recovered so I will be out there a lot this summer regaining strength and fitness. In addition to my camera, I will be bringing my bino's.

I was a Marine, and in bootcamp, I was introduced to marksmanship. I fell in love. Since then, I have become a fairly good shot. With my 300WM, I can hit a 48" square target at 1 mile 7-8 out of 10 times. Not competition class shooting but it's pretty good in my book, and I don't anticipate taking a deer at a mile.

If you don't count shooting prairie dogs in Wyoming, I've never been hunting. I will defiantly need some advice. Most of my major questions have already been answered reading through these forums. That's why I've decided to become a member. I'm finding out that I don't have any friends that are hunters. I guess all the gun owners are just shooters, like I am/was. I am interested in making new friends, that are hunters, and hanging out at a range or doing weekend backpacking trips, or maybe just having a drink at a bar. This is going to be an interesting year because I actually have a reason to be out in the bush.

My Equipment:

Rifles:
Howa Model 1500 in .223 Rem with a BSA Sweet 17 3-12 X 40 scope. (I plan to upgrade this scope someday)
Savage Axis in .270 Win with an Arken Optics SH-4 GENII 4-16 X 50 scope. (Probably this year's gun)
Savage Model 111 in .300 Win Mag with an Arken Optics SH-4 GEMII 6-24 X 50 scope. (My 1-mile gun)
Savage Model 110 in .338 Lapua Mag. with an Arken Optics EP-5 5-25 X 56 scope. (Hopefully my 2+ mile gun)

Hand Guns:
Smith & Wesson Model 36 in 38Spl. (Needs some gunsmith love)
Colt King Cobra in 357Mag (Brand spanking new)
Sig Saur P239 in .40S&W (My future EDC, need my ccw first)
Springfield Armory Model 1911-A1 in 45ACP (Locked and Loaded)

Air guns:
Barra Schofield No.3 in .177 Cal (CO2 BB or Pellet Revolver Replica)
Daisy Adult Red Rider in .177 Cal (BB gun, I don't really know if this is an air gun)
Senica Dragonfly in .22Cal with Buckhorn sights. (A pump action single shot pellet rifle)
Air Venturi Avenger in .25Cal with an Accushot EX Tap 4-16 X48 scope. (A PCP lever action slug rifle)

Packs:
Eberlestock Warhammer with Super Spike Duffle. (I need to add a Scabbard to this pack.)
Eberlestock Little Brother (Can replace the Super Spike Duffle)
Ogio backpack (I don't know the model, but this is my EDC backpack)

Knifes:
Bear and Son 3' folder (EDC)
Opinel No.8, 3.25" folder (sharp enough to shave with.)
No Name 3" hunting knife, fixed blade.
USMC KA-BAR, 7" fixed blade.

Other:
Nikon D3500 with 18-55mm and 70-300mm zoom lenses.
Bushnell Power View 10 X 50. (Currently shopping for an upgrade)
GOGOGO Sport Vpro range finder
REI Quarter Dome Ultralight 3-Season tent.
Standard Coleman sleeping bag.
3/4 length self-inflating seeping mat.
Jetboil Flash cooking system.
Sawyer Mini with 0.1-micron filter.
First Aid Kit.
BV500-Journey Bear Vault
2 3-liter Eberlestock Hydration Systems.
Alinco DJ-G7t and DG-G29t handheld radios. (I am also a ham radio operator, license NM6M)
Pelican 2760 Gen 3 LED Headlamp.

Shopping list;
Browning BAR in 243.
Henry Big Boy in 357.
Vortex 15x56 Diamondback HD Binoculars.
Dual purpose Tripod for binos and rifle.
Vortex Optics 7x25 Razor HD 4000 Laser Rangefinder.
And other stuff.

Regards,
Dale

P.S. I'll update my profile soon.
Welcome Dale! and you are more then ready!
 
with your discount both your fishing and hunting license should run about $8.86 ea. plus price of tags and such which will be full price.
 
Quick question…

I have 2 Deer Tags one for D15 and the other for D16. Now I’m concerned about my ability to find a respectable take. I’m considering a guide but I don’t have a lot of money.

…The question (a two parter): Primarily, what should a guide cost? And secondarily, what should I expect ?

As a reminder, this will be my first hunt, outside of prairie dogs in Wyoming some 30 years ago with a 22. Let’s call it my first real hunt.
 
I do know a guy in D-16 that does some guiding...I'm thinking $250.00 per day or there abouts...Public.......... :blush:

ps...Only guide I know in the "16".....;)

ps....Do you have all the necessary gear?
 
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I think I'm pretty well set up. I need to mount and zero a scope but I have everything on hand. I've been spending some time in San Mateo Wilderness (D15). I've been calling it scouting but I'm mostly trying to get into shape so that I can actually do scouting. I haven't found the deer yet but I have seen tracks, so I know they're out there.

Not sure I can afford a guide, or access to private land, but I am curious what the services include. It'd be nice to have someone with knowledge and experiance out there with me the first time out.
 
I think I'm pretty well set up. I need to mount and zero a scope but I have everything on hand. I've been spending some time in San Mateo Wilderness (D15). I've been calling it scouting but I'm mostly trying to get into shape so that I can actually do scouting. I haven't found the deer yet but I have seen tracks, so I know they're out there.

Not sure I can afford a guide, or access to private land, but I am curious what the services include. It'd be nice to have someone with knowledge and experiance out there with me the first time out.

That's what you'll get on a per day basis...Knowledge and experience...If you get a buck, having someone with you showing you how to gut and get your animal out is a huge plus...Remember too, that these are public lands...So, you also get to know some places that actually have deer.

Depending on where you live...I believe scouting in the "16" would be more beneficial...A couple more things...Invest in some good glass, good boots, and OnX.

A couple of days ago..... ;)

IMG_0161 - Copy.JPG
 
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Generally, a ton of work goes into the point of pulling the trigger; and generally, even more after pulling the trigger. If your several miles back in, it's benifical to not pack outbbones. So in short, it's benifical to know or be with someone that knows how to debone an animal.

IMG_20171014_100409.jpg
 
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I'd write the check to go guided...hopefully it's truck only and roads...hope he's doing it right..I'm like a sponge..willing to learn anything and everything..and I think he'd be a good faucet ..
 
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Generally, a ton of work goes into the point of pulling the trigger; and generally, even more after pulling the trigger. If your several miles back in, it's benifical to not pack outbbones. So in short, it's benifical to know or be with someone that knows how to debone an animal.

View attachment 59067
I can make a cow look an awful lot like that but I don’t have the same experience with deer.

Looks super clean btw, nice work.
 
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I'd write the check to go guided...hopefully it's truck only and roads...hope he's doing it right..I'm like a sponge..willing to learn anything and everything..and I think he'd be a good faucet ..
I can’t deny that it’s tempting. The length of hunt vs. available funds would be the limiting factor.

I might be able to pull off a day, maybe two, but there’s no way I could afford a week.
 
I can make a cow look an awful lot like that but I don’t have the same experience with deer.

Looks super clean btw, nice work.
From my perspective, rabbit, deer, elk... they are all the same except for size and weight. If you can handle and elk, you can certainly handle a deer.
 

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