X zone archery hunts for deer

Hunt4more

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Sitting with 4 points for deer but considering using them in a year or two for a high country back pack style deer hunt in one of the "X" zones ( A1-20). Would like the classic high country glass em and bed in somewhat open country of course. Wondering if there is an alpine type country or does above timberline not exist in CA. I am a resident. X 7, or X6, 8 all seem like options next year with 5 points....

Ive driven on I-80 to Reno countless times and going over the Sierra's I always think how cool it would be to hunt bucks up there (getting off I-80 would surely help but I bet there's plenty of bucks within sight of it)...

So, I'm not exactly sure what I am asking for except I'm interested in this type of hunt and hope to hear from others who may have used their points to do the same or similar.

-t
 
I live in Reno and don't mind offering you my opinion. I doubt if you will see many bucks in the country you look at while going over Donner Summit. The majority of the deer are further down the Eastern slope where the sage and mahogany mix with the Pines. There really isn't any high Alpine country in X7 or X6. I would say most of the deer live between the 5000-7000 foot elevation range.
 
About one of the only areas you can pack into in 7a is castle peak and possiably mt Lola,either are are great options but you can also see pleanty of bucks anywhere in 7a right from the road.X8 down to x9a are probably more what your looking for as in trail head parking and getting into back country.
 
X9a, b, c all have what you're requesting.
9a obviously has a higher ratio due to the mix in habitat and good access, but if you're looking for high alpine with good deer numbers, 9a would be it.
I've hunted all the zones you're referring to, and high alpine really only exists in the southern zones.
Good luck
 
I've hunted X7 quite a few times, starting back before they split the zone and my father had hunted it quite extensively too. Back then you could bow, then rifle hunt with the tag. Pops used to live in Truckee and was retired, so he had good knowledge and spent a lot of time in the woods.

From my personal experience, I've not been as impressed with either unit, though it's been over 15 years since I've hunted it. I know it's a ?premium? zone, but I think there's better options.

A friend hunted either A or B rifle maybe 7 years ago and found it hard to get away from all the people. Not sure how far he ventured from his quad, but he was telling me it had changed for the worse (previously, my dad had taken him out for a successful hunt).

Maybe I'm biased, but I wouldn't use my points to hunt bow or rifle there.

The Truckee/Loyalton herd migrates to Peavine in NV, but in CA, those "big" deer are harder to find than you might think!

Good luck
Stuart
 

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