What keeps you from hunting OTC California?

[Spikefrb]

We really do have some outstanding spot and stalk bear hunting opportunities.

Shhhhh. There's no big Yogi's in Ca.....it's a myth.
Spike

 

[Bubblehide]

Shhhhh. There's no big Yogi's in Ca.....it's a myth.
Spike

Spike, have you checked your local zoo?

 

[Spikefrb]

Spike, have you checked your local zoo?

No...can't recall ever visiting a zoo. But I did book and guide Nor Cal Bear hunts for 20 + years.
Cheers
Spike

 

[Spikefrb]

Where's the [nothing] option? Archery starts in most parts of the state in mid-August (8/19) this year. You can get going right after Independence Day if you're especially fond of sweltering heat, ticks and poison oak. Let's go!

Yep...nearly impossible. Too hot...too hard...too thick...just too darn tough.
I love the comments from the guys who have no clue.
Is it easy? No. Does it take a lot of hard work? You bet your ass.
But...is it possible? Yes...even for 71 year old G's...even at 8900 ft...
with a little help from our friends.
Cheers
Spike

 

[Spikefrb]

The biggest issue is the poor quality of game (ungulate) management.

Ungulate management is not the most glaring issue... lack of predator control is far more pressing.
Spike

The biggest issue is the poor quality of game (ungulate) management.

 

[cmahoney]

Yep...nearly impossible. Too hot...too hard...too thick...just too darn tough.
I love the comments from the guys who have no clue.
Is it easy? No. Does it take a lot of hard work? You bet your ass.
But...is it possible? Yes...even for 71 year old G's...even at 8900 ft...
with a little help from our friends.
Cheers
Spike

Nice buck! Not much OTC near Bridgeport.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Spikefrb]

Nice buck! Not much OTC near Bridgeport.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Point taken. But I have more than a handful of amigos who harvest great Bucks in B, D, C, and even A zone... year in and year out.It's hard. It's not Nevada, or Utah, or Colorado...but it's a guarenteed tag, and an opportunity, every year.
Cheers
Spike

 

[bojangles808]

i keep bugging my mom to ask her hoa if I can turkey hunt

 

[Sierra Hunter]

I hunt here every year because I live in CA and I love to hunt. The state provides a lot of opportunities to get out and I think about it as keeping my skills sharp for then 1-2x out of state hunts I do a year. Can’t wait to go steal some critters from other states and bring them back to my CA freezer

 

[Inthebloodhunts]

The biggest issue is the poor quality of game (ungulate) management.

I live in CA and the bears and mountain lions have eaten a lot of deer. The fact that CA won’t allow you to carry a pistol when bow hunting is also insane. I run into a bear almost every time I go in the woods and a mountain lion one out of three times roughly. It’s not a safe place to bow hunt any longer

 

[87TT]

SSS

 

[Spikefrb]

I live in CA and the bears and mountain lions have eaten a lot of deer. The fact that CA won’t allow you to carry a pistol when bow hunting is also insane. I run into a bear almost every time I go in the woods and a mountain lion one out of three times roughly. It’s not a safe place to bow hunt any longer

The archery/ firearm regulation only applies to deer hunting. Carry a Bear tag and you're within your rights to carry a handgun while archery hunting..."Bears".
Actually, I believe that you are more threatened by the 2 legged predators...Illegal growers, Cartels, and tweakers.
Personally?
From the time I make camp until I head home I wear a 10mm in a chest rig at all times...unless I'm sleeping...then it's under my pillow.
Cheers
Spike

 

[Warmsy]

California. Beautiful state. Public land game poor. I lived in Fort Bragg for 4 years. We had a state forest nearby. Jackson state. I think in 4 years I never saw a deer. A zone hunting. Brutal heat, rattlesnakes and poison oak. I killed 2 nice bucks in 4 years. On Private.
Covelo B zone. Rugged, hot and plugged full of people from other countries driving around with chairs in the pick up bed. Plan on packing in a ton of water and being content with seeing 3-4 deer a day if your lucky.
Duck hunting, unless you buy into a lease, be content hunting 3 days a week on the refuges if you can get on. Or diver hunting the bays.

I get it. If you're from there, have connections, intimate knowledge, trail cams up year round it could be a great place on public.
California is no where remotely close to the vast majority of western states in regards ease of big game hunting. Lack of game on public is the main reason. Impossible draw odds for non blacktail hunts is another.
You Californians here sticking up for your state is admirable.
The plain truth is you can go all over the West during hunting season and see California plates everywhere.
You can't go around California and see plates from all over the West during hunting season.
Trust me, it ain't the politics keeping people out.

I've been on a mission to get eyes on all 50,000 access of Jackson Forest...I see deer often, but that's after 6 years of finding spots. The eastern part is absolutely barren of animals. It's kind of creepy.

 

[Marble]

Honestly am a little intrigued to try CA bear. I met this cool old hunter in Idaho who's got a Sheep Grand Slam. He gave me an awesome little tour of his house and had a great looking B&C bear he said he shot in California.

There is a lot here.. please come and kill some!

Here's one I hunted last year. Only saw it one time.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[COLD SMOKE]

How’s the song go ?
“Love the one you’re with “

3 turkey spring, 2 deer, 1 bear , fall turkey/quail/pigeon and ample ducks and geese in the winter
Plus crabbing, some salmon and decent fly fishing.
300 days of sunshine a year and 700 inches of snow this past year.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

There is a lot here.. please come and kill some!

Here's one I hunted last year. Only saw it one time.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

I like that one, please send coordinates, PM is fine

 

[riversidejeep]

We're getting ready for archery season here in California.

 

[BFR]

Nothing comes to mind, I lived there until 14 yrs ago. Now, if I’m in Kalifornia and want to hunt I do. But, realistically I can say that about anywhere I go. Being old and retired does have its perks.

 

[Inthebloodhunts]

There is a lot here.. please come and kill some!

Here's one I hunted last year. Only saw it one time.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

Yes we definitely need more bear hunters. The bears are thick here

 

[Mikecarr94]

There is a lot here.. please come and kill some!

Here's one I hunted last year. Only saw it one time.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

Dang I’m game. That sounds awesome.