HUNTING DEER IN CALIFORNIA We hope this guide will help deer hunters by encouraging a greater understanding of the various subspecies of mule deer found in California and explaining effective hunting techniques for various situations and conditions encountered throughout the state during general and special deer seasons. Second Edition August 2002 STATE OF CALIFORNIA Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME L. Ryan Broddrick, Director WILDLIFE PROGRAMS BRANCH David S. Zezulak, Ph.D., Chief Written by John Higley Technical Advisors: Don Koch; Eric Loft, Ph.D.; Terry M. Mansfield; Kenneth Mayer; Sonke Mastrup; Russell C. Mohr; David O. Smith; Thomas B. Stone Graphic Design and Layout: Lorna Bernard and Dana Lis Cover Photo: Steve Guill Funded by the Deer Herd Management Plan Implementation Program TABLE OF CON T EN T S INTRODUCT I ON ................................................................................................................................................5 CHAPTER 1: THE DEER OF CAL I FORN I A .........................................................................................................7 Columbian black-tailed deer ....................................................................................................................8 California mule deer ................................................................................................................................8 Rocky Mountain mule deer .....................................................................................................................9 Southern mule deer .................................................................................................................................9 Inyo mule deer .........................................................................................................................................9 Burro mule deer .......................................................................................................................................9 Other deer? .............................................................................................................................................9 California's deer population ..................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER 2: DEER HUNT I NG BY REG I ON .....................................................................................................13 Southern California deserts ...................................................................................................................14 Southwest region ....................................................................................................................................15 Central coast ranges .............................................................................................................................16 Eastern Sierra Nevada .........................................................................................................................16 Western Sierra Nevada .......................................................................................................................... 17 Northeast region .................................................................................................................................... 17 The Cascades .......................................................................................................................................18 Northwest region ...................................................................................................................................18 Where can I hunt? .................................................................................................................................19 How much public land is there? ............................................................................................................19 CHAPTER 3: DEER HUNT OPT I ONS .............................................................................................................. 21 How do you plan a deer hunt in California? .........................................................................................22 What kind of deer do you want to hunt? .............................................................................................22 Special Additional Hunts ....................................................................................................................23 How far do you want to travel? ..............................................................................................................24 When should you hunt? ........................................................................................................................24 Access to the zone you want to hunt .....................................................................................................24 How much do you want to spend? .......................................................................................................25 Do you want a wilderness experience? ...................................................................................................25 What climatic conditions do you prefer?...............................................................................................26 Where are the most deer? ....................................................................................................................26 Creating a tradition ............................................................................................................................27 CHAPTER 4: MI GRATORY OR RES I DENT DEER ..............................................................................................29 Timing a migration trail hunt .............................................................................................................32 CHAPTER 5: WHERE THE DEER ARE ............................................................................................................33 Attitude adjustment ...............................................................................................................................33 Finding deer ...........................................................................................................................................34 Secret spots .............................................................................................................................................34 Tough country ......................................................................................................................................35 Hunt the edges .......................................................................................................................................36 Speaking of clear cuts.............................................................................................................................36 Speaking of burns ..................................................................................................................................36 CHAPTER 6: HUNT I NG STRATEG I ES ............................................................................................................... 37 Spot-and-stalk .......................................................................................................................................38 Stillhunting ...........................................................................................................................................40 Stand-hunting ........................................................................................................................................41 Deer drives ...........................................................................................................................................42 Tracking ............................................................................................................................................43 Using the roads ....................................................................................................................................43 TABLE OF CON T EN T S C ON T INUED CHAPTER 7: BAS I C EQU I P M ENT .....................................................................................................................45 Deer rifles ...............................................................................................................................................45 Optics ...................................................................................................................................................46 Choosing a bow .....................................................................................................................................47 Choosing a muzzleloader .......................................................................................................................47 Handguns ...........................................................................................................................................47 Blades and saws for deer hunters .......................................................................................................47 Day packs, fanny packs and pack frames ...............................................................................................48 Clothing ...............................................................................................................................................48