CA Goodale (G3) hunt

[highsierra]

This year, my brother, Don, and another good friend, Russ, both drew late season tags to hunt mule deer in CA. Both were successful early in the hunt with respectable bucks for the area.
Here’s some photos highlighting the hunt:

 

[highsierra]

Video of kill shot

 

[jlong17]

Congrats on the successful hunt! How is the Goodale deer herd doing? I’ve heard the quality isn’t quite what it used to be?

 

[KGLee357]

That’s awesome, looks like you had a great hunt! I tried to draw Goodale for years and gave up due to point creep. Wound up hunting G6 this year instead. I’m glad to hear you guys shot a few good bucks! I would echo the same question regarding the health of the herd. I have heard that it isn’t what it used to be, the your success seems to suggest otherwise!

 

[highsierra]

Congrats on the successful hunt! How is the Goodale deer herd doing? I’ve heard the quality isn’t quite what it used to be?

We saw plenty of deer… Including many mature bucks with decent trophy quality. I’m not gonna go as far as saying that the herd is as good as it once was…but what is? Nevertheless Goodale provides a quality experience for anyone lucky enough to draw the tag.

 

[highsierra]

That’s awesome, looks like you had a great hunt! I tried to draw Goodale for years and gave up due to point creep. Wound up hunting G6 this year instead. I’m glad to hear you guys shot a few good bucks! I would echo the same question regarding the health of the herd. I have heard that it isn’t what it used to be, the your success seems to suggest otherwise!

Everyone and their brother on the Internet makes the same claims about Goodale, and have done so for years and years. As far as the overall population, I’m sure it’s down from historical levels… But that’s the case for mule deer populations across the west. Nevertheless, this hunt provides an opportunity for hunters to experience something very, very special… A extremely limited entry rut hunt in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. I have personally held the tag myself, as well as accompanied my brother and several other friends that have been drawn. Each and every time we have found some very nice bucks… with the caveat of never encountering another hunter! This zone is large enough, and the terrain is such that it provides access opportunity to hunters of all different capabilities. For those that have the ability and skill set to glass long distances, and the fire to do big climbs in rough country where the cagy, trophy-class bucks tend to be, there is enough of that to keep you busy for the entire season. If that’s not your cup of tea, simply by driving the many access roads along the Eastern Sierra one can usually find plenty of deer to look at and sometimes even a halfway decent buck to harvest within easy dragging distance of a vehicle.

For those of you hanging with me through this long winded post, I encourage you to go see for yourself what Goodale is all about. Passing judgment based on what somebody posts in a forum (positive or negative) is rarely accurate. Although my experience with this hunt has always been nothing short of incredible, others with different styles or approaches might think differently.

Goodale is what YOU make of it!

 

[KGLee357]

Everyone and their brother on the Internet makes the same claims about Goodale, and have done so for years and years. As far as the overall population, I’m sure it’s down from historical levels… But that’s the case for mule deer populations across the west. Nevertheless, this hunt provides an opportunity for hunters to experience something very, very special… A extremely limited entry rut hunt in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. I have personally held the tag myself, as well as accompanied my brother and several other friends that have been drawn. Each and every time we have found some very nice bucks… with the caveat of never encountering another hunter! This zone is large enough, and the terrain is such that it provides access opportunity to hunters of all different capabilities. For those that have the ability and skill set to glass long distances, and the fire to do big climbs in rough country where the cagy, trophy-class bucks tend to be, there is enough of that to keep you busy for the entire season. If that’s not your cup of tea, simply by driving the many access roads along the Eastern Sierra one can usually find plenty of deer to look at and sometimes even a halfway decent buck to harvest within easy dragging distance of a vehicle.

For those of you hanging with me through this long winded post, I encourage you to go see for yourself what Goodale is all about. Making judgment based on what somebody posts in a forum (positive or negative) is only an opinion and quite often is not even one formulated from personal experience. Although my experience with this hunt has always been nothing short of incredible, others with different styles or approaches to this hunt might think differently.

Goodale is what YOU make of it!

Thanks for the well thought out response! I hope to have the opportunity to at least accompany a friend there someday. I burned up all of my 16 points this year as I mentioned earlier, but who knows what will happen down the road. Ideally I have at least another 30-35 good years of hunting left in me!

 

[htlt_surfboards]

Just wondering if I'm reading the draw stats correctly, did it take you guy 21 points to draw?

 

[highsierra]

Just wondering if I'm reading the draw stats correctly, did it take you guy 21 points to draw?

Yes. Max Points

 

[NeedleCrook]

I’m I crazy for putting in for G3 hoping to draw one of the random tags? Currently at 8 points, I’m never going to get to max so I put in for G3 to gain points then put my usual zone as my second choice.

 

[highsierra]

I’m I crazy for putting in for G3 hoping to draw one of the random tags? Currently at 8 points, I’m never going to get to max so I put in for G3 to gain points then put my usual zone as my second choice.

That’s a good strategy… Build points until you get enough for the hunt you want all the while giving yourself a chance in the random draw for G3

 

[ReddingArcher]

That’s awesome! This hunt has always been one that interests me, but I’ve always burned my points on units closer to home. Awesome seeing some good bucks come out of there though!

 

[htlt_surfboards]

I’m I crazy for putting in for G3 hoping to draw one of the random tags? Currently at 8 points, I’m never going to get to max so I put in for G3 to gain points then put my usual zone as my second choice.

You're not crazy, someones gotta get it. I drew a different max point unit that gives out 5 tags a year with one being random with only 4 points once.