timberline hunting d zones california

easternmontana · Dec 27, 2005

Just seeing if theres anyone out there that hunts the high country in california and how they fared this year, didnt get to spend much time out there this year, but I plan on a 1.5 week hunt at about 8000 feet in the backcountry this year,

JR

eweikum338 · Dec 30, 2005

I live in D5 and scouted the high country in D5. Didn't see too many deer this year and what I did see weren't very impressive. In fact, it was so bad this year I didn't even buy a tag. sigh
Took a trip up in D6 and I must say, there are some really nice bucks up there.
Not sure about the other D zones, maybe someone else will chime in.

BuckSnort · Dec 30, 2005

I live in D-7 and have done a couple backpack in type of hunts into the high Sierra.There are some nice bucks in the higher elevations (above 10,000') it's alot of work to backpack up to those higher elevations cause of the gradual slope of the western sierras,it usally takes about a 9-15 mile hike to get to the areas above timberline.Thats a little far for a backpack hunt.That's why I got horses.Next year will be the first year I will use my horses to pack into these areas (if I'm still in CA) and I am looking forward to it.

BuckSnort · Dec 30, 2005

Here is my brother glassing a high basin.This basin is backed up to the sierra crest.

Here we took a break from our heavy packs.We were headed out in a hurry cause we awoke to snow and there was another storm comming and our camp was at 11,400'.

Sheepshooter · Dec 30, 2005

Pretty pics Bucksnort

Every year I say I'm done backpacking , doing horses next year . Well after watching a horse fall off a cliff I went back to backpacking .

BuckSnort · Dec 30, 2005

That's to bad sheepshooter.Was it your horse? what happend?

Sheepshooter · Dec 31, 2005

It was my cousins horse . I have no idea how that thing lived , but it did . If one of us would have been riding we would have of been killed . On a positive note we did find an area void of people that holds some very impressive blacktails .

easternmontana · Jan 1, 2006

well Im the son of a timber faller, so I spent my childhood in those woods of d5 and d6. I have lived in the hills here all my life. I see nice bucks come out of the mountains every single year.

my dad worked in alpine county in the winter too so I spent alot of time up there too. I love it. Those bucks are there,

I have heard that d6 holds some decent deer but I know d5 in amador county like the back of my hand,

see ya,

JR

HighSierra · Mar 7, 2006

I live in Tuolumne Co. (Sonora) and have hunted the Emmigrant Wilderness on both horseback as well as with backpacks. I'm not gonna disclose exact locations on a public forum like this, but there are some great bucks back in there IF YOU ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD FOR THEM! Local packers put alot of competition into the backcountry...add in the locals and their horse camps and you can have a very crowded situation. The big bucks just dont tolerate the pressure...they either go nocturnal or simply leave the country for more remote areas, such as the north end of Yosemite Natl. Park or over the crest into X-12.

I have had my best backcountry hunting in the 3rd or 4th week of the season. Problem is, you can almost count on a storm that time of year that can do several things...one of which is stranbd your butt miles from nowhere! Also, logistics of a later season hunt can be tricky with the packing of "winter gear", especially if you are backpacking and need to conserve not only weight, but also space to haul out your buck.

I would love to discuss backcountry hunting in CA with others that have experience in this area (D-6).

HighSierra · Apr 5, 2006

Just thought I'd try uploading a couple of photos from 2004 high country d-zone hunt with my little brother. We were hunting a remote valley that sits above 10,000 ft. This was his first backcountry hunt, and only his second buck ever taken. Needless to say, he had a great time and was very happy with his buck.

BuckSnort · Apr 6, 2006

HS,

Those are some neat pics.I would like to see more high country pics if you got them.

BuckSnort · Apr 6, 2006

I would also like to add that it looks like you and your brother have somme good looking animals.And look to be well broke as they are standing there with a noisy tarp over thier heads.

baychef · Apr 11, 2012

Hey there guys. I hunted D6 last year, and didn't have much luck. My dad has hunted this zone multiple times, with great luck in the passed. In 2011, there wasn't much rain, and the mountain we were on, (Night Caps Peak), we had a great vantage point, but only saw one dough. The rivers were pretty dry..which is why I think we didn't see much there.

Planning on going back this year...but different location. Anyone have any luck, or recommend any spots to hunt at?

Thanks!