Thoughts on northern cali? Perks vs it being commiefornia

[ericmcd]

I'm in far norcal. I think you kinda get it with perks vs living in commiefornia. I recently was looking into moving into another Western state as I work for the railroad and can live anywhere with the same pay. But the paycut my girlfriend would take was way too large to make sense. I've traveled the entire country and if it wasn't for our government I believe northern California is the best place in the country. As others have said most big game hunting is terrible, deer populations are declining and good luck drawing elk, pronghorn or anything else. But living here you can afford to hunt out of state. Our fishing is world class, great turkey and waterfoul and don't tell anyone but we have the best bear hunting in the lower 48. Public land is abundant and I rarely see anyone while out exploring the backcountry, you can surf, water ski and snow ski in the same day if you want. If you do decide to come get as far north from Sacramento as you can

 

[Azone]

It’s what you make of it.
Fair warning though, the dumbest drivers on earth live out here. There are some stretches of freeway that you could pick up enough car parts from wrecks and build half a Honda out of them. Politics is complete shit and public land has been overran by the public. Housing prices are absolutely insane to the point there is two to four families living together to cover the note. Obviously the is the epicenter for crazy liberals so no need to touch base on that.
There still is some good hunting left out here if you work for it. Deer on private has become a rich mans game and even hogs now cost an insane amount. People complain about non resident elk tags in other states sky rocketing yet turn around and drop a grand to kill a hog on private. The fishing is great at times and there are still quite a few good folks left in my area that are friendly kind people. I highly doubt I will spend my whole life here, it’s a crowded shit show in my opinion.
15 preference points may get you a shot at a 170 muley. Elk, sheep and antelope are rare, too much demand not enough supply. No since in talking about predator management either, it’s a great state to be a bear or a lion in.

 

[ReddingArcher]

It’s a rough state for sure. There are some pretty areas though. I’m in far Northern California, Redding, and before the giant fire a couple years ago it was much prettier. Everyone else is pretty much spot on with the hunting opportunities. I end up hunting out of state pretty much every year, I also hunt here and if you do put in time to learn areas there’s some damn good blacktail hunting. If I didn’t have my business here though I’d be gone. Good luck on your decision.

 

[Hunt_Jefferson]

Glad others mentioned the fishing, the Sierras are great. If you are conservative, look up the State of Jefferson and pick one of those counties. If not, stay where you are

Eastern Sierras:

 

[Moserkr]

I live in the sierras where its still conservative. Guys above nailed it, especially go north of sacramento. You will never escape the crowds, idiots, or politics here though. Id choose a better state if I were you. If there were less people and better politics, CA would be amazing.

Heres a thought- move to CA for a year, establish residency. Buy CA lifetime hunting/fishing licenses (resident only i believe, transfers states too). Then move to NV just across the border. Hunt CA and other states until you draw NV. Im assuming hunting/fishing is the only motivation.

 

[Hooverfb]

Glad others mentioned the fishing, the Sierras are great. If you are conservative, look up the State of Jefferson and pick one of those counties. If not, stay where you are

Eastern Sierras:

View attachment 297692

Dang that's gorgeous. I love the land there. Based on my work, my other options are super-lib places like seattle or NYC, or less so in Tempe/Pheonix AZ, maybe colorado (which is becoming California #2 in some places, but a lot prettier and more outdoors opportunity than Houston). Had not heard of state of Jefferson, that's pretty cool. Though texas threatens secession every few years. I haven't looked back at cali since my dad left the airforce until now, we were on base near Sacramento in the 90s.

 

[willfrye027]

worth it? Depends on if you value variety. You can hunt B and C blacktails OTC every year with TWO tags and long seasons. Lots of bears. Waterfowl is world class and lots of good public. Upland is pretty solid too on public. Pigs if you have the connections or do a lot of scouting on public. Turkeys are plentiful. And then there is shed hunting, fishing, and scouting to get you through to next year.

You just have to burry your head in the sand when it comes to politics and taxes and accept the housing cost. It’s expensive to get into a house here but property value continues to increase.

 

[Rob5589]

@NorCalBowHuntr916 summed up CA hunting perfectly.

 

[Billinsd]

“Great pig hunting”….well let me just pack my bags and move to California right now lol.

Great pig hunting on private land that costs about a grand for a guaranteed pig on the first day.

 

[Billinsd]

I rather walk on Legos than live in Cali

Don't bring up our paved roads that you need a 4x4 to drive on.

 

[huntnful]

The only reason to ever move here would be to make more money and I guess the weather maybe. Not hunting, not fishing. But living here, you make the most of it. Everything is just decent enough to keep you staying here. Mostly money and family. But DEFINITELY NOT the hunting lol. If you work from home and your wages won't increase significantly by moving here, idk wtf you're thinking lol. It's good enough to keep you here, not even close to good enough to make you want to move here.

 

[Beendare]

Delete

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[Azone]

Plusses; The halibut bite is on fire in the SF bay right now. Mild weather, lots of beautiful outdoor activities.

Minuses have all been mentioned; Traffic in the high population areas, Taxes and the liberal idiots running the show. Crime is rampant- I just had a 14,00#GVW equipment trailer stolen off my job site....the dickheads dragged it 4 blocks with a tempered steel chain through the wheels. But its a victimless crime [right!?] so they let 40,000 criminals out of jail and currently refuse to prosecute many of what they consider petty crimes. They won't even send a cop to investigate.

Ca would be great without the liberal Democrats that are screwing everything up.

Can somebody please tell these politicians its hard for us working folks when their policy is to pander to the criminals and idiots in society.

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And the best part is, if you had caught them in the act and something happened to the assholes who stole your trailer you would be on the hook. But keep working and paying your taxes, so we can all chip in and support these kind of people for not pulling their weight. After all they’re entitled to everything they have never earned, because they have been held down by the man their whole entire life, but never mind whatever questionable choices they made that took them down that path. Everyone is now told it’s not their fault.

 

[Trogon]

I grew up in S.Cal. There are good parts, but I would never go back except to visit family. Nor Cal on the other hand is fantastic. As long as you can get out of bay area or central valley. Lived in Chico and Grass Valley. You start heading north and east you can get into some wild country. As others have said, the hunting is not good compared to other western states, but if you like wild places, fishing, hiking, biking, moto, camping, boating, whatever, most likely you will find it. Tule Lake, Lava beds, Hat Creek, Gold country trails and backroads, Modoc plateau, Lassen/Plumas NF, Markleeville & East Walker fishing, Emigrant wilderness, Trinity Alps..... Its so easy to go and on. If you can filter through the static, there is a lot to like.

 

[Presswood_936]

It’s a rough state for sure. There are some pretty areas though. I’m in far Northern California, Redding, and before the giant fire a couple years ago it was much prettier. Everyone else is pretty much spot on with the hunting opportunities. I end up hunting out of state pretty much every year, I also hunt here and if you do put in time to learn areas there’s some damn good blacktail hunting. If I didn’t have my business here though I’d be gone. Good luck on your decision.

@ReddingArcher Can you email me [email protected] ? I have a question about a classified post