What do you guys think of hunting the Sierras?

[jspears80]

I use to backpack in the Ansel Adams wilderness to Gem Lake as a kid on the weekends and even further on week long trips. I just started hunting in San Diego and have been scouting with little success so far, but NP it's as expected. My recent idea is to hunt in the Sierras. If I remember correctly there is plenty of wildlife up there AND I can have campfires (which is a serious gripe of mine camping down here).

So do any of you hunt in this area or in the mountains there? Any advice before I trek out to Silver Lake switchbackin' my way to Gem?

Mossberg 500 Shotgun 12G 18.5" / 28"
+ 50~ lbs of gear

 

[Kellendv]

What are you trying to hunt?

 

[jspears80]

I wanted to hunt squirrel (or rabbit if I'm lucky) in addition to fishing for meals while I am there. I don't have a deer tag and the only other big game up there is black bear. While that would be exciting, there is no way I could pack out a bear where I'm going. But I'm after small game in general because I'm still new.

 

[nicapopolis]

Then go for it. If you are heading into the high country you may have luck with squirrel. Maybe bunnies. The valley floor has Jacks and cotton tails. The bird hunting can be good low and high depending on what you are looking to hunt.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[jspears80]

Yep, I am excited. Is a shotgun too much for squirrel, as far as peppering the meat? I was going to bring an air rifle but my nerves prefer the shotgun.

 

[Aeon]

Bring snow shoes?

 

[Kellendv]

Bring snow shoes?

^ This.

There has already been some good snowfall in the Sierra depending on where and how high you plan to go. I can't comment on squirrel hunting because it never interested me much. Rabbits, you will have better luck down in the Owen's Valley or in the transition areas where the sage and alpine areas meet. Bird hunting is bad up there lately. The drought have taken its toll (if you remember last year the snowpack in March, which is around when it should be deepest, was less than 10% of normal). I believe grouse season is over, you can hunt quail and chukar, but again, you will not find them in the alpine, but down in the sage and on the slopes leading up to the alpine. Up high I believe there are some snow hares, and they get quite big, but I have never seen one. All big game hunting in the Sierra requires a tag and you will need to get some points saved up to draw it. It's all over anyway except for the special late season hunts.

Fishing may still be good down in the Owens valley. And I would look there for quail too along the river. Hope to not be a downer but just trying to give you good info so you can plan accordingly. Southern Sierra at lower elevations may not have to much snow yet, but not sure.

 

[jspears80]

Thanks a lot, I appreciate the info.

 

[Josh Pearson]

Just got back from coyote hunting the Owens Valley. Didn't see any rabbits or call in any coyotes. Hunted Nevada as well and saw a lot of rabbits in the sage brush there.