New hunter in the valley (Agoura)

[slitwin]

Hi guys, I joined a little while ago and want to introduce myself. My name is Steve and I'm new to hunting. I am originally from Michigan (yea, leave it to me to move to CA and then take up hunting) and have been an avid outdoorsman my entire life. Backpacking, hiking, camping, winter camping, canoe trips ... basically anything outdoors except for hunting. I've even shot archery for 20 years and have been around firearms my whole life but still no hunting. Two Thanksgivings ago, one of my friends took me deer hunting in Michigan and I've been hooked ever since. I've gone scouting several times, went up north turkey hunting, tried my luck with A31 last season, and went coyote hunting a few times. All I have to show for it is a BBQ rabbit that tasted pretty darn good. I got a D13 tag this season so hopefully we'll get a little bit closer this year. I know one person in California that hunts who started around the same time as me. I love the sport and am hoping this forum can help me to become a better hunter and introduce me to some good people which share similar interests.

 

[ilovesprig]

Steve,

Welcome to SCH.......Lots of good past threads addressing deer hunting and hunting in general. Look forward to hearing about your exploits in D-13.

 

[kylemg0009]

Welcome Steve. I have not even been hunting for a year yet. Started quail hunting last october in AZ, and got so addicted that i made the drive every other weekend for the rest of the season. Started coyote hunting and have called one in but no fur on the ground yet. Was lucky enough to take down a black bear in alaska last month which was absolutely amazing. I have a D16 deer tag for the upcoming season, this will be my first hunt so Ill be going at it as a newb too!

 

[Bonejour]

Welcome Steve. You're into it for the right reasons, and your outdoorsman background will give you a big head start. Keep your contacts open in Michigan, though: you'll love going back and hunting with your old buddies for a change of pace! I go back to VA to hunt with my brothers every November. Lots of us hunt out of state and the reports are great fun to read.

 

[TonyS]

No deer in D13. Try another area.

 

[slitwin]

Thanks, ilovesprig for writing back. Kyle, good luck in D16. I have called in a few coyotes and it is definitely a rush watching them come in. Th black bear must have been an awesome trip. Thanks, Bonjour. I have had the same best friends for 20 years and go back often to see family. Its a whole different world out there... The hunting and fishing is great. Do you do any hunting in CO? I bought preference points this year for Elk and deer. Tony, why no deer in D13? Am I SOL with that tag?

 

[NBK]

Welcome to SCH Steve...

 

[Nicholas909]

There's dear in D13. It's not an easy area to hunt, & the population isn't as abundant, but they are there if you put the time in to find them. Good thing is with your tag you can also hunt D11 & D15.

 

[Bonejour]

Do you do any hunting in CO?

Yup. Hunted elk with an outfitter near Montrose (area 64) last fall with my brothers. We're going back this October, which may tell you something. The report is on the main SCH page:
http://southerncaliforniahunting.com/index.php?limitstart=6
Also hunted muleys in WY with some buddies and we drew a repeat there as swell. A bunch of guys on the forum know CO well, and can answer most questions you may have. Start a thread in "out of state hunting" when you have a clearer idea of when and where in CO you might want to hunt.

 

[TonyS]

Listen to Nicholas.

 

[slitwin]

Thanks, Nicolas. Bonejour, Montrose is a great area. I've been flying in there for the last 5 years to go to the Imogene Pass Run. Never done any hunting there but I will have to put something together. Is most of your hunting done out of state?

 

[Bonejour]

Is most of your hunting done out of state?

Interesting question. Let's see, I guess it depends what you mean by hunting.... Most of my walking (with gun or bow) is done here in San Diego. Basically, I hunt whenever I can get outside, mostly on MCC since I joined the club a year ago. But most of my meat is imported : bear, duck and pork from the Central Valley, with the help of Neil Ray's Giant Sequoia Guide Service, White Tail from VA, Muley from WY, elk from CO with help from J&D. Out of state hunting is a great change of pace, and hunting with my brothers, in VA or anywhere else, is like going home. But 2014 was my first year for upland bird and turkey, duck, cottontail, bobcat and coyote. And you can do all that here pretty much year round right here in Southern California. So you've come to the right forum: the guys and gals on SCH are the folks who have taught me about these opportunities and how to take advantage of them. For anyone who's willing to put in the work, there is enormous wealth of knowledge and insight posted here every single day. Enjoy!