CA Zone D3-D5 Deer Hunting 2019

This is a bit more discouraging than Breck1's comments. It sounds like you put in the work but were in wrong spots. I'm trying to avoid a situation like this at all costs.

 

He's not joking though... a lot of the deer I see are in the thick shit... sometimes I use a rifle with open sights no scope because where I'm hunting you won't shoot further than 50 yards

 

I don't think D6 is a Premium Zone this year. I think it's just a Restricted Zone. But either way, it doesn't matter, there are 2314 D6 Tags left, that will be released for sale on July 2nd. Since you have a D3-5 (not Premium or Restricted) you can buy a D6 tag, over the counter, on July 2nd.


One of the differences between Premium and Restricted is: I have a D6 tag as my 1st tag. I cannot buy another D6 for my 2nd tag on July 2.
- If D6 is Premium I can not buy another D6 tag at all.
- If D6 is Restricted I'd have to wait till some date (can't remember the exact date) in August, if there are still D6 tags, I'd be able to buy one.


Bear is pretty easy as far as season, regs, etc go... especially in D zones. Bear season opens the same day as deer. Season runs through Dec 31st unless the tag quota is met. (since they banned hunting with hounds, we've never even gotten close to filling bear quota of 1700). As long as the bear is not with cubs, and is larger than a Bull Mastiff dog, you're pretty much legal to shoot it.


I use GAIA for off roading, road scouting etc... But for hunting... OnX Hunt can not be beat. It is DEFINATELY worth every penny. (Probably worth twice what it costs IMHO)

 

I can see how this would be the case because there is a whole lot more thick shit out here than open country. Seems pretty much inevitable to wind up in it. But I'm guessing you're still at high elevation where you're occasionally on a ridge glassing somewhat open country? These are the areas I'm starting to scout but maybe I'm looking in the wrong places.

 

Thanks a lot for that info. I'll have to consider my options regarding D6 bc I'd like to fully commit to one or the other. Do you have guys you'll be hunting with?

 

This year my wife and son are the only ones I'm commited to hunting with so far.

 

I normally hunt the area west of Weber Lake which is right next to I believe is the X7a zone. I have seen several nice bucks right by the main road but they were all in the neighboring X zone.

 

Those deer know what they're doing. My guess would be that folks hunt these x-zone borders pretty hard when they don't have an x-zone tag. Is that usually the case in your experience?

 

Did some more scouting last weekend and killed two birds with one stone. 1. Took my truck up the toughest trails I've driven yet. It was quite nerve-racking by myself, but the Tacoma didn't bat an eye. 2. I came across a few deer at 7500ft, which was reassuring. What wasn't reassuring was my visit to the ranger station....I was hoping to learn a little about deer herds in the local area but all I got were a bunch of "IDK's" from the chicks working the place lol

 

Probably saving the good spots for themselves.

 

I havent personally seen many hunters patrol the boarder but I would assume they do. But im sure they do know that the wardens are around the boarders looking hard for guys.

 

I have a buddy with land in D5. It backs up to National Forest. I’m considering getting a tag. I’m also a new hunter. His parcel is steep and so thick he’s only explored the first 5th of it. The bears frequent the apple trees in fall so its likely I’ll run into them. I’ve seen small deer on the property but I don’t recall any bucks so far. He’s only at 3500’ in elevation. I’m thinking stand hunting might be the best approach here. Do you guys think it’s worth it to get a tag last minute?

I also have my hands full training a gundog this season.

 

I would get a tag and hunt that, that's a good elevation for deer. Don't wait to long to buy a tag,D3-5 has been selling out the last 4 years.

 

Is that when they decided to make it one tag instead of 3 different ones?

 

No,its been 3-5 for a long time.
I have some good hunts planed this year, my crew pulled X6A,so we have been scouting that.D zone and Indiana archery for the rut.

 

I think I’m gonna try to stay in D3 this season. Last year I tried a few different areas in all three zones. But I got invited to some private land in A zone next weekend which I’m stoked for!

 

Okay, I snagged a tag today. Should I have gotten 2? I still need my buddy to sign off on permission. I guess it will be public land if not. It's some dense steep forest. I think hunting from a stand is the best way to go. I hope to set out some trail cameras soon. I won't be hunting the archery season.

Any advice for making a trail though this dense forest? I worry I'm going to poke my head into a game trail and find myself staring at a bear. he he.

 

A good friend has bagged a deer (pics included for proof. Not here) from the Northern part of CA. I didn't know the season opened that early. Holy smokes. Figured if that early it had to be Bow season, but says he bagged it with a rifle.

 

I’ve hunted all over California and have hunted D3-5 numerous times over the last 30 plus years. One of the problems with that area is it’s the most popular area to hunt. I won’t go there opening weekend anymore I don’t feel safe out there opening weekend. It’s a zoo, looks like a densely populated city in the forest. There’s yahoos everywhere including numerous people in pickup trucks road hunting. If you’re going to hunt D3-5 scout the hell out of it pre season and hunt it 2 weeks or later after opening day. If you can hunt during the week that’s even better.
It’s rare to find a large antlered buck like the one previously pictured. It’s usually the experienced seasoned hunters who have hunted the area for many years who get the 4 pointers and bigger.
If you go, I wish luck to you.

 

Zone A? https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=168214&inline