Wanting to Find a backcountry hunt in central California

[ShawnS]

Hello all, I’m fairly new to the hunting scene but have been shooting both rifle and archery for the last 10 years. I’m looking at doing my first back country hunts this year in central California. Any tips on where to start scouting?

 

[AM_Hunter]

If youre talking about deer and the central Sierras theres plenty of places. Pick an OTC unit and look at OnX and pick any trail and get a few miles in, preferably some of that off trail. Use OnX to look for potential water sources and glassing knobs before you go. Once youre out there look for signs like bedding, droppings, food sources, trails, etc. Get a camera out there if you want some more info and the spot looks good. If youre not seeing sign or deer find a new spot if youre confident theres no deer out there. Rinse and repeat. Do this starting soon and a lot before the season starts if you want the best chance of success. Good luck!

 

[WoodlandCritter]

I don't know much about CA in particular, but start with maps provided by your local Fish and Game as well as OnX to identify what public land is accessible for hunting. Then pick a spot far from a road and hike in! There's buttloads of guides online about what to look for for good hunting areas for particular types of game, but if you're anything like me the most important part will be getting some peace and quiet in the woods and having fun. You'll start to identify what good areas look like from experience.

 

[ShawnS]

Thanks for the tips! I’m leaning toward D8 and Sherman pass area. I have seen a few monsters up there over the years and big bear as well. Time to put boots on the ground and make it happen.

 

[Jimmy]

Thanks for the tips! I’m leaning toward D8 and Sherman pass area. I have seen a few monsters up there over the years and big bear as well. Time to put boots on the ground and make it happen.

Couple of things.

1- spend your money on gas more than gear when you are starting out and go scout as often as you can BEFORE season.
2- Start as high as you can and work down in elevation until you find deer sign. Find trails to get you into the backcountry and then GET OFF the trails.
3- Go to the DFG website and look up D8 zone information. These are surprisingly accurate mentioning peaks that have produced deer for decades.

 

[neilv]

Thanks for the tips! I’m leaning toward D8 and Sherman pass area. I have seen a few monsters up there over the years and big bear as well. Time to put boots on the ground and make it happen.

domeland wilderness is right there - that would be pretty back country. Ive seen deer down lower on the river but nothing that looked monster to me. However i am sure there is some hidden gems up there. Bring a bear tag with yah.

 

[MTniko]

I haven't hunted it, nor CA as a whole, but a bear hunt in the Trinity Alps area would go hard.

 

[huntsd]

1. download onx. 2. look into d zones like d3-5 ect..plenty of D zones that you can draw with no points or have a ton of left over and plenty of land to backpack in.

 

[Tonopah]

You might consider hog hunting as your first hunt. Central CA has a lot of hogs.

 

[Nush21]

Yeah, congrats on jumping into backcountry hunting it's addictive once you get out there with your rifle or bow experience!

For central California thinking areas like Los Padres NF, Sierra NF edges, or coastal ranges for blacktail deer elk is more limited north OTC draw heavy, here's quick real world starter tips from folks who've done it

Tools first Grab onX Hunt app (premium worth it for layers public private land, trails, water sources, burn history. Use it to desktop scout ridges, glassing knobs, springs seeps, and trails that get you away from roads central CA has tons of public land National Forests, BLM pockets but pressure near access points.

Start scouting now Summer early fall is prime hike in 2–5 miles off trail to find sign bedding, droppings, rubs, tracks near water forage. Look for burns new growth deer magnets and north facing slopes for shade cover. Glass at dawn dusk from high points.

Key spots to research Los Padres NF Santa Lucia Mtns Big Sur area for blacktails early A-zone seasons, Sierra NF fringes D zones for mule deer if OTC draw, or Cache Creek Wilderness edges. Check CDFW regs for your zone A/B for coast, D for Sierra unlimited tags in some, but scout early.