Introduction

StevOH

New Member
Sep 3, 2015
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I recently discovered this site and was happy to see that it was Southern California oriented since I live here (in a small community outside of San Diego called Jamul). I would like to introduce myself. I didn’t grow up hunting. My dad may have hunted when he was a kid, but he never did as an adult. I’m not sure why, but I can believe he would have viewed it as too much hassle.

I took up hunting about 5 years ago – I’m in my early 50’s now, so pretty late in life. So far I’ve been bird hunting several times and I’ve hunted pigs at Tejon Ranch each of the last 4 years. Tejon is a beautiful place and there are plenty of pigs there, but overall the experience seems a little “canned”. I also went deer hunting in Idaho last year with my neighbor and a couple of his hunting buddies. None of us got a deer and we saw very few. There were a bunch of hunters in the area when we were up there. My neighbor and I did run across a mountain lion on one of our hikes into the woods.

I don’t know if any of you guys have heard of Steven Rinella or not, but I’ve been reading some of the stuff he’s written and I’ve watched a lot of his TV show (MeatEater). I’m kind of interested in doing some hunting like he does (back country, public land) and I’d really like to get my first deer. The guys I went to Idaho with seem to have pretty much given up on southern California. I think they feel like there are too many people, too few deer, and possibly hassles with land access. Do you guys share that feeling or do you think it’s worth me trying to get my first deer in my home zone (D-16)?

I seem to be rambling. Anyway, that’s me.
Thanks.
Steve
 
Steve,

Welcome to SCH.......I'm not going to BS you, hunting in SoCal is not easy, but there are plenty of deer on public land......You've just got to scout and hunt harder than your average road hunter......I've lived in SD Co. for 41 years and yet every year I find out about or find a new spot that I'd had never been to before......Stay positive and enjoy your time scouting. That is the key to success IMO......Good luck..... ;)
 
ilovesprig said:
Steve,

Welcome to SCH.......I'm not going to BS you, hunting in SoCal is not easy, but there are plenty of deer on public land......You've just got to scout and hunt harder than your average road hunter......I've lived in SD Co. for 41 years and yet every year I find out about or find a new spot that I'd had never been to before......Stay positive and enjoy your time scouting. That is the key to success IMO......Good luck..... ;)
Thanks for the reply. I feel somewhat encouraged (I think). Do you know if it's legal to backpack camp over night in the areas where I can hunt to extend my scouting trips?
Steve
 
Just don't forget to get a wilderness camping permit if on usfs land. Blm is fine and not on f&g properties. I backpack hunt exclusively local. Permit is just so they know where you are incase of emergency
 
StevOH said:
I recently discovered this site and was happy to see that it was Southern California oriented since I live here (in a small community outside of San Diego called Jamul). I would like to introduce myself. I didn’t grow up hunting. My dad may have hunted when he was a kid, but he never did as an adult. I’m not sure why, but I can believe he would have viewed it as too much hassle.

I took up hunting about 5 years ago – I’m in my early 50’s now, so pretty late in life. So far I’ve been bird hunting several times and I’ve hunted pigs at Tejon Ranch each of the last 4 years. Tejon is a beautiful place and there are plenty of pigs there, but overall the experience seems a little “canned”. I also went deer hunting in Idaho last year with my neighbor and a couple of his hunting buddies. None of us got a deer and we saw very few. There were a bunch of hunters in the area when we were up there. My neighbor and I did run across a mountain lion on one of our hikes into the woods.

I don’t know if any of you guys have heard of Steven Rinella or not, but I’ve been reading some of the stuff he’s written and I’ve watched a lot of his TV show (MeatEater). I’m kind of interested in doing some hunting like he does (back country, public land) and I’d really like to get my first deer. The guys I went to Idaho with seem to have pretty much given up on southern California. I think they feel like there are too many people, too few deer, and possibly hassles with land access. Do you guys share that feeling or do you think it’s worth me trying to get my first deer in my home zone (D-16)?

I seem to be rambling. Anyway, that’s me.
Thanks.
Steve
Love his show and all of Steven Rinella's stuff. Just finished one of his books (MeatEater) and about to start another (American Buffalo). Welcome to SCH
 

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