CA Zone D3-D5 Deer Hunting 2019

A-zone is the only rifle open right now.

 

Anybody got some archery bucks to show off yet?

 

Appreciate it! If I've learned anything since moving to CA, it's that you're never alone no matter where you are or what you're doing. I've heard others say the same thing as you about opening weekend, so I guess I'll find out for myself. Every time I've scouted a new area that I think is off the beaten path, I run into more people than I would have liked, so we'll see how this weekend pans out.

 

Ever get those cameras out?

 

I missed opening weekend, got plans for next. Anyone here harvest ?

 

I hunted D5 all day Saturday. I saw one deer and it was a shooter buck. Walked right on top of him without knowing and spooked him...he took off and I never saw him again.

Now I don't know if I should go back to that area (I saw a lot of deer sign) because of the weather. This was at ~8400ft and I'm not sure if the snow has started pushing em down. What do you guys think?

How'd everyone else do?

 

If you saw a lot of deer sign , absolutely go back there. Unless we get some major snow storms the deer won’t start heading down hill until November or December. In addition the further into deer season we get the fewer the number of hunters.

 

Thanks, that's good to know. And I must say, folks were right about opening weekend being a zoo. But folks were also right when they said that you'll be fine if you just hike in further. That's what I did and I didn't have any trouble running into guys.

 

Funny, traveled thru and camped, backpacked in Oregon, Idaho, Washington seeing maybe one deer. Get home to Plumas County and see a handful the day I got home. Also, saw maybe one pile of bear scat or stump ripped into during that time. Numerous logs, stumps ripped into close to home in Meadow Valley. Does Kalifornia have more critters than popular hunting states?
Duane

 

Any D6 guys lurking in here? What have you guys been seeing?

 

Waiting to hunt D6 the last 3 weekends when better chance of storms.

Boss's husband's group bagged 6 out of 11 the last storm. Must have been a big hunting group for sure.

 

I’m waiting for a storm too, I went out Friday and yesterday and only seen two doe, I was around 7000’ elevation. Maybe I was too high up ?

 

I doubt it, depends on where ya were. Unless it's storming or real cold the bucks are bedded come daylight, they have their winter coats on and don't like to move. Frosty temps help alot. Most are nice n fat from summer browse.

 

With my little knowledge, I would agree. I hunted the same place I hunted for opener and I saw a group of does not 50ft from where I saw last week's buck.

I talked to some guys who hunted the first 8 days of the season in the same area and they claimed that the storm on opening weekend pushed some does and young bucks lower but said all the big bucks stayed put. And now the does and young bucks have started coming back up....claimed they'll move a bit (maybe 1-2k here and there) based on weather to protect the fawns, but definitely too hot down low with their winter coats, as MtnFisher has pointed out.

 

Saw eight deer around 8:30AM today on my way to town, within a mile of my place. No antlers.
Duane

 

Thought you guys would've shared some photos on your big bucks by now.

Hunted all day last Saturday in the same high-country, but this time didn't see a damn thing. Talked to multiple guys who didn't see a single deer all day. Taking this weekend off for the gf's birthday celebrations and then I'm coming up with a new plan for the last two weekends of the season. Brutal!

 

X not D, but this one should keep you looking.

 

Nice buck! Which X zone if you don't mind me asking? Don't think I'll ever waste my time stocking up points for those super primo x-zones but would like to consider a lesser one for next year.

 

X6A, you should put in it's about 4 years but worth it.
We took 3 bucks for 6 guys. Two on opening weekend, I went in solo last weekend and found this one.
A bigger one got the jump on me and this one was running right behind, he lost that race.
The pack out was a bit rough, 7 hours after the shot I got back to camp.

 

Where in x6a?

I was there thus past weekend and only saw one at Lone Rock but it was already on the run when I spotted it