California B Zone Wilderness Blacktail

[OregonHunter13]

Hello all I am looking into doing an early season archery Blacktail hunt high up in one of the wilderness areas in Northern California such as the Yolly Bollys, Trinity Alps, and Marble mountains. Just wondering about general deer populations in these wildernesses and which ones are most heavily pressured and if it is possible to get away from it. I am a fairly experienced Blacktail hunter in southern Oregon and am willing to trade for information.

Thanks in Advance

 

[OutHeavy]

260,000 hunting licenses sold in CA last year. They're all heavily pressured.

 

[NorCal 707]

The deer numbers are really low for some reason as well. For whatever reason everyone and their 4 brothers are archery hunting in the Yolla Bolly. The Marbles have very few deer but when you see one it is probably a buck. I've hunted the Yolla Bolly a lot. I think the fire displaced the deer and then the drought displaced them further. Last year I went in 6 miles from the trailhead and there were guys everywhere. I don't get it. I saw a few deer down low by the river but they were running scared. I won't be going back. Going to try a different approach this year. Good luck.

 

[Bubba]

sent you a private message

 

[Centralcoastca]

Haven’t hunted the trinity alps, but did a backpack trip there once years ago and it was really cool Beautiful country, No idea on the deer numbers though. Anything that’s easy to draw in ca. will have plenty of pressure, but with a little more effort than the other guys which a lot of times isn’t really that much it could be way worth it.

 

[riversidejeep]

Most of the Yolla Bolly burned VERY hot last few years, as in scorched earth. Deer # as you can imagine are not great. Alps will be your best bet. Be a good backpacker that thrives on STEEP.

 

[eLightfoot]

from my experience, the fires only benefited the deer. Bucks were everywhere last year and people found them. If anything the populations will be down do to hunter success from 2021. All of my deer were in their typical spots after the fires, but opening morning in the wilderness was Nothing short of WW3

 

[KC29]

from my experience, the fires only benefited the deer. Bucks were everywhere last year and people found them. If anything the populations will be down do to hunter success from 2021. All of my deer were in their typical spots after the fires, but opening morning in the wilderness was Nothing short of WW3

I have to agree with this. I saw a ton of people and many of them were successful. I'm optimistic for this year still though

 

[Sawfish]

California B Zone 2021. SCI #10 with a Handgun (Encore .35Whelen Improved on an SSK tuned frame, Bullberry barrel, SSK Fish Gill Brake).

 

[Biologist_JMF]

Hello all I am looking into doing an early season archery Blacktail hunt high up in one of the wilderness areas in Northern California such as the Yolly Bollys, Trinity Alps, and Marble mountains. Just wondering about general deer populations in these wildernesses and which ones are most heavily pressured and if it is possible to get away from it. I am a fairly experienced Blacktail hunter in southern Oregon and am willing to trade for information.

Thanks in Advance

B zone is a backpackers dream. Plenty of trailheads and since the fires things have really opened up. I would consider getting a bear tag as well.

 

[N9Line]

Get away from trailhead and bushwack and you'll see more critters. If it's harder/more of a PITA to get to, you're less likely to see people.

 

[owtuvdorz]

B zone is a backpackers dream. Plenty of trailheads and since the fires things have really opened up. I would consider getting a bear tag as well.

I would agree with this...at times, I've seen more bear than deer in the Trinities...

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[jbrun63]

I have definitely seen multitudes more people than deer in the Yolla Bolly! There are deer though

 

[ts94603]

I have definitely seen multitudes more people than deer in the Yolla Bolly! There are deer though

Lots of people, and sometimes shooting on opening morning... lots headlights at 3-4AM on the trails.

 

[Freezing Moon]

Guys who hunt in the Alps: what elevations do you target for early rifle season (both deer and bear?) I went on a scouting trip but because of terrain I wasn't able to get as high as I wanted and ended up glassing around 2,500'-3,000' which I'm sure is far too low. Feel free to PM me.

 

[PVHunter]

I wouldn't assume that 2,500 - 3,000 is too low. You'll find deer in there. Look for all of the usual things that bucks like.

 

[IdahoBeav]

I can't speak directly on CA B Zone, but I grew up hunting blacktails in Southern Oregon, sometimes within walking distance of the CA border, and I never considered elevation. I killed them from 1k-5k all throughout the season. It didn't seem to be a factor like it is with mule deer.

 

[Freezing Moon]

Good to know. I had always heard that the deer in that area have a summer and winter range, similarly to mule deer, but maybe that's not the case.

 

[Calbuck]

Blacktail deer are located from valley floor to upper elevations and all in between..they don't seem to care what elevation they are at. Find cover and feed and water and you'll find deer.

 

[Norcal18]

Guys who hunt in the Alps: what elevations do you target for early rifle season (both deer and bear?) I went on a scouting trip but because of terrain I wasn't able to get as high as I wanted and ended up glassing around 2,500'-3,000' which I'm sure is far too low. Feel free to PM me.

Like others have said the elevation doesn’t matter as much for the deer. I’m hunting the alps for the first time this year with some buddies and I’m trying for a bear. One of them scouted the area around the first of August and was seeing bear sign at around 6400 ft. We’ll be going in there in 3 weeks so hopefully they’re still in the area.


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