California Dreamin'

Great story!

Might be time to research California. 🤔
The bittersweet thing, and why I hesitated to even post this story, is that as great as this hunt was, I wouldn't recommend anyone starting from scratch to draw it. Apply for 20 years to draw it, then hope for a less-than-likely weather event to make it a decent hunt, and even then, most folks end up taking nice 3x3's.

CA genetics for mule deer are whacky - they're almost always missing something. If they're heavy, they're narrow. If they're wide, they're extremely short. If they have big front forks, they have tiny back forks. If they have decent forks all around, they're pencil horned. Tons of 3-point genetics. A big, symmetrical, typical 4x4 like my buck is extremely unusual.

Do your own research obviously, but as a CA resident who hunts here a lot, I wouldn't spend a dime applying in CA if I didn't live here. Take that for what it's worth.
 
Congratulations @CaliWoodsman & your brother!!!
Great write up as well!!!
Stories like these are why I'm a member of this forum. I wish somehow i could turn off all the negativity & complaining about gear comparisons and resident's vs NR and just read write ups like this all day long.
Thanks, I appreciate that. The pic-heavy stories are my favorite part as well. Glad I could contribute.
 
The bittersweet thing, and why I hesitated to even post this story, is that as great as this hunt was, I wouldn't recommend anyone starting from scratch to draw it. Apply for 20 years to draw it, then hope for a less-than-likely weather event to make it a decent hunt, and even then, most folks end up taking nice 3x3's.

CA genetics for mule deer are whacky - they're almost always missing something. If they're heavy, they're narrow. If they're wide, they're extremely short. If they have big front forks, they have tiny back forks. If they have decent forks all around, they're pencil horned. Tons of 3-point genetics. A big, symmetrical, typical 4x4 like my buck is extremely unusual.

Do your own research obviously, but as a CA resident who hunts here a lot, I wouldn't spend a dime applying in CA if I didn't live here. Take that for what it's worth.


That was a bit of sarcasm on my part. I've looked into all the states with MD populations, and yes, CA is a challenge. Those areas down in the Mojave are very interesting to me as I already hunt desert areas.
 
That was a bit of sarcasm on my part. I've looked into all the states with MD populations, and yes, CA is a challenge. Those areas down in the Mojave are very interesting to me as I already hunt desert areas.
Never hunted down there, but I’ve heard there are some big bucks in the desert down there. Few and far between, though.
 
Photos are incredible, what camera did you bring? Definitely a lot better than any photo's i've taken on a hunt.

Congrats on the successful hunt as well! Great bucks for sure.
 
Photos are incredible, what camera did you bring? Definitely a lot better than any photo's i've taken on a hunt.

Congrats on the successful hunt as well! Great bucks for sure.
Nothing too fancy. iPhone 12 Pro on a few of the scenery photos. Nikon D5500 for the rest. Grip n grins and landscape photos using an 18-55mm lens, wildlife shots using a 70-300mm lens.
 
Congrats on the bucks and on drawing the tags. Great write up, glad to hear you guys got enough weather to get the deer down. I’ve heard of guys getting that tag and not getting the weather.
Sounds like you guys had a blast and got to share it with your family.
 
Awesome job. Congrats on two great bucks for anywhere, but especially CA. Way to make those points count!
 
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