A zone question

bschnoor · May 21, 2006

I'm considering hunting the A zone rifle hunt this year in the northern portion(public land). I from Oregon and have hunted blacktails for years. I'm curious what the country is like in the mendocino national forest? Is it open or very thick? I realize it will be very hot also! Thanks - Brian

Sheepshooter · May 21, 2006

Most of it is fairly thick , lots and lots of brush . Generally when you see rolling , grassy , oak filled hillsides they are private . There are a few nice public areas though . It'll be hotter than you can imagine .

bschnoor · May 21, 2006

Thanks sheepshooter, do you think its a hunt worth doing? Are their any big bucks available on public land? Thanks - Brian

theridge · May 21, 2006

The last time I hunted the A zone in Mendocino County was in early August of 1976 or 77. Hunted near Letts Lake and Goat MTN. Saw some bucks and deer. The reason I won't go back is because it was 121 degrees in Red Bluff,CA that day. Needless to say it's tough to hunt more than a couple of hours when it's 95 degrees at 5:30 in the morning. If you want cooler weather get closer to the ocean.

Sheepshooter · May 21, 2006

There are some nice bucks but the heat is a killer . If you can swing it the B zones offer bucks a bit bigger and generally the weather is cooler . Some really nice areas to glass at higher elevation as well .

RACKMASTER · May 22, 2006

LAST EDITED ON May-22-06 AT 10:07AM (MST)[p]most A zone hunters on public land tend to have drank
to many beers before the midday heat hits them and you know...........drunk hunters, guns, lack of binos on their part... makes me nervase(sp?). hunt B zone..ticks,snakes,pot growers!
rm

larrbo · May 22, 2006

I hunted the A zone around the Yolla Bollies about 25 years ago and will never go back. It was very, very hot. Tons of biteing flies, mosquitos, and hunters.

bschnoor · May 22, 2006

Thanks for the info guys! Brian

easymoney · May 22, 2006

The Azone area vary greatly from don't waste your time/110 degrees in the shade to superb alpine hunting with a chance at a good buck. It mainly depends on where and the effort you put in. As has been stated already about the area first mentioned, it is nasty thick and very popular with the 12oz drive around folks. If you try further up north it gets higher and better with fewer roads and road hunters.
If it were me, I would buy a B2 or bow tag and hike into the Trinities, big bucks and few people till rifle season...

Stop Global Whining

LIK2HNT · May 25, 2006

As stated above, B zone might be a better hunt for you. You can hunt the archery season August 19 through September 10 (for all but B4 which is 7/22 to 8/13) and then come back and hunt the rifle season September 16 to October 22 (for all but B4 which is 8/26 to 10/01). This would also be a closer hunt. The B zones offer alot of wilderness hunting if that is what you are after.

Bill