California A zone south - Los Angeles hunter

[work765]

Hi guys, I'm reaching out for some help. I hit opening rifle day this past sat up in the Ojai area and it was completely saturated with hunters. 25 cars out front of the trail head. And this wasn't an easy trail at all.
No one that I talked to, saw any bucks.
And the one buck taken I heard was about an hour and half on horse back in.

My question- do any of you guys know of any general areas close to Los Angeles that I can start working?

I know the name of the game- I'm not looking for anyone's secrete spot. But just some help for someone who's really trying to get his first deer and is putting in the leg work.


If any of you guys are Los Angeles hunters and want to meet up to hunt. Let me know.

Last year I was close in D11. And this year I want to seal the deal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[work765]

Anyone?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[land cruiser]

Look at last year's harvest numbers, they will give you a break down by county. Most A zone bucks are harvested on private land, A zone is mostly private. I would start looking at coastal areas

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[OL367]

PM sent.

 

[Tobias]

I know exactly where you hunted, wonder if we saw each other that day. I scouted that are for about a month leading up to the opener and never saw a soul. That area holds bucks, but the "hunters" who showed up the night before pushed them all out of the area, and they're more than likely nocturnal atm. I've been out a few times during the week and have only seen 1 other person, so you could give that a shot. The problem is you'd have to get at least 7-8 miles back there. You could try the mountains just to the north of that road, far fewer people head out on those trails.

Santa Barbara also has got lots of access points but you're going to have to hoof it (or mountain bike) at least a few miles to find deer and no people.

edit: with the fires in Los Padres it'll probably be especially difficult to find areas not getting pressure

 

[work765]

I know exactly where you hunted, wonder if we saw each other that day. I scouted that are for about a month leading up to the opener and never saw a soul. That area holds bucks, but the "hunters" who showed up the night before pushed them all out of the area, and they're more than likely nocturnal atm. I've been out a few times during the week and have only seen 1 other person, so you could give that a shot. The problem is you'd have to get at least 7-8 miles back there. You could try the mountains just to the north of that road, far fewer people head out on those trails.

Santa Barbara also has got lots of access points but you're going to have to hoof it (or mountain bike) at least a few miles to find deer and no people.

edit: with the fires in Los Padres it'll probably be especially difficult to find areas not getting pressure

Yah. Too many hunters with different styles I think. The guys that beat the brush kill it for the ones that spot and stalk. Well either that or there was just way too much activity in that area. Lots of walking and talking even before first lite. I never felt so comfortable being by my self. Which is a bad sign.
Yah I was contemplating go back there again or heading up to Santa Barbra area. I got a tip from someone online. Which are hard to come by!

The ranger said three dudes on horse back got one way back there at that spot. But that it was 1.5 hours in on a horse. And that's too far for me on a bike by myself. (Only because if I get one) it would be a nightmare hauling it out.

PM If you have suggestions or places to try. I would appreciate it.