Migration Question - 021 Archery

DeerManBran · Jun 6, 2016

Hi All,

Never hunted the migration before and drew the December 021 Archery tag. Wondering if anyone has been in there during this season and if they have any stories to share. Its not a big unit so I basically know where I am hunting at.

My question to anyone that has been in there... If California doesn't receive much know before December are there enough resident deer to make the hunt interesting? Or am I screwed unless California receives enough snow to push them to NV?

nocal · Jun 6, 2016

If Kali gets enough snow to push the deer to migrate into 21......you're gonna have trouble getting around in 21.

6x7 · Jun 6, 2016

got to be a decent resident population I can't see why California deer would make this such a great hunt.

DeerManBran · Jun 6, 2016

From what I understand the resident herd is pretty small, some big, but numbers wise its pretty thin.

I guess I was more curious about if this winter turns out to be as light as is being predicted what would someone expect to see from a numbers game in these ranges. just hoping for some stories.

The unit is small so its not like there is any secret here, could explore the whole thing in a few days. I just don't want to get all amped up and get screwed because of little to no CA snowfall.

SNAPPER · Jun 6, 2016

The archery hunt is at the very end of the rut, so the deer are there regardless of snow in Ca. The local herd is small but with bucks still chasing does they get pretty spread out, it's hit and miss. Don't be fooled the unit looks small on a map but there's still plenty of country out there.Weather or no weather some deer will migrate in, thats just what they do.

Bwht4x4 · Jun 6, 2016

I shot a buck last year on the CA side during a late muzzleloader hunt on Thanksgiving day. He was with two does and rutting like crazy. Then a buddy killed a buck a few days later just a couple miles west of the NV/CA border and that buck too was rutting hard. I'm sure the first week of your hunt you'll have a lot of rut action. Your biggest issue is going to be stalking in the snow...if it snows. If I were you I'd pray for no snow, but cold temps.

buckhorn · Jun 6, 2016

I lived in Doyle for 17 years back in the 80s and 90s. I lived for the deer hunting and it was good then but not anymore. It is among the worst areas in Nevada now
(in my opinion) especially the archery hunt.
Drought, Fires,mountain lions, wild horses, HWY 395, over hunting on the cali. side. The deer didnt have a chance.
If you decide to go ahead and hunt it, DONT get your hopes to high.

Jagerdad · Jun 7, 2016

I am amazed someone mentions Doyle. That was my special place, also in the 1980's 1990's+. I would hunt Turtle Mountain just to watch giant explosions to the North at Herlong, an Ord disposal depot. I had several large Ranches on the West side of the Valley for Deer Hunting. It was great but in the last decade, things changed. Last year 2015 friends on such Ranches had to travel West, off private lands to find Deer. Because of the decline in Deer, I have not applied for Doyle for many years.

If I had your Tag, I would start long before the season and as far East in 021 as possible. Then find locals to talk with. If possible build Blinds in many places so the Deer become used to the outcropping Blind made of dead brush. Use each for scouting until you locate groups of Deer. Yes, Wild Horses and all previously mentioned may have been or is a problem.

Insofar as weather, my guess would be you'll have very cold mornings and winds, maybe strong winds. This is only based on trips to Reno in Decembers.

bullskin · Jun 7, 2016

There are plenty of resident deer. Your biggest challenge will be gaining access to them if the conditions are poor. That and staying warm. And not breaking your neck in the rough terrain.

Barring the latter, you should have a great hunt.

DeerManBran · Jun 8, 2016

Thank you all for the replies. I am well aware of the decline in mule deer herds on both the CA and NV side so that info comes as no surprise. I am looking forward to hunting in the cold, it beats 100+ degree days hiking straight up the Santa Rosas.