Early? or Late?
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oilcan
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I think if you want to kill the biggest possible I would stick with the first.
Scout hard find one and get first crack at him.
If you want the better chance of drawing and still have a really good hunt go 2nd.
I drew X5-B about 6 years ago and went on several scouting trips throughout summer and came across some awesome Antelope.
I drew And hunted Likely Tables in the late 90?s but I much prefer the Lassen unit.
Scout hard find one and get first crack at him.
If you want the better chance of drawing and still have a really good hunt go 2nd.
I drew X5-B about 6 years ago and went on several scouting trips throughout summer and came across some awesome Antelope.
I drew And hunted Likely Tables in the late 90?s but I much prefer the Lassen unit.
Horniac
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I had the Lassen early tag last year and drew with max points. Over the years I switched it up between early and late depending on other potential hunts I had applied for, family commitments, etc.
I'll never forget the 1st time I drew my first ever antelope tag across the border in NV 15 and attended the NDOW orientation in Reno. I remember being bummed because I couldn't make the opener and all the other tag holders would get first crack at the bucks. I raised my hand in the crowded auditorium and asked the biologist how much of a disadvantage I would have by not hunting the opener. Much to my surprise, he told me if he had the tag he would hunt later rather than the opener if he had to choose between the two. This was because the bigger bucks often materialize from parts unknown as the rut heats up. That put my mind at ease and I ended up killing a B&C buck right off the main road with his harem of does on my way back to camp for lunch one day.
With the early season being from Aug 24-Sept 1 they will just be starting to rut at the tail end of the season. The advantage is that if you can find a shooter before the season you might be able to get him killed before one of the other tag holders find him as Oilcan pointed out. On my hunt I wasn?t able to locate a ?no brainer? prior to the opener despite multiple scouting trips. Also theoretically you would have 35 or so more bucks to sort through to find a shooter.
With the second season bring Sep 7-15 you may have a big buck show up at anytime due to the rut that had been previously living in some hidden pocket somewhere. Last year the second season also had a better success rate during the second season (97%) vs the first season (89%). Cooler weather most likely as well.
Also take into account that across the state line in NV 015 the season runs from Aug 22 ? Sept 7 this year so the antelope near the state line will be getting pushed back and forth during the early season.
I guess what I am trying to say that both seasons have their advantages/disadvantages. Both are quality hunts and their is no shortage of bucks. They are so hard to judge that most hunters just shoot the first decent buck they see. I would pick whatever season works best with your schedule where you can devote the most time to your hunt. With that being said, I would not be scared at all of the second season if you want the better draw odds.
Good luck on whatever you decide and if you draw shoot me a PM and I will be happy to share what I know...
Horniac
I'll never forget the 1st time I drew my first ever antelope tag across the border in NV 15 and attended the NDOW orientation in Reno. I remember being bummed because I couldn't make the opener and all the other tag holders would get first crack at the bucks. I raised my hand in the crowded auditorium and asked the biologist how much of a disadvantage I would have by not hunting the opener. Much to my surprise, he told me if he had the tag he would hunt later rather than the opener if he had to choose between the two. This was because the bigger bucks often materialize from parts unknown as the rut heats up. That put my mind at ease and I ended up killing a B&C buck right off the main road with his harem of does on my way back to camp for lunch one day.
With the early season being from Aug 24-Sept 1 they will just be starting to rut at the tail end of the season. The advantage is that if you can find a shooter before the season you might be able to get him killed before one of the other tag holders find him as Oilcan pointed out. On my hunt I wasn?t able to locate a ?no brainer? prior to the opener despite multiple scouting trips. Also theoretically you would have 35 or so more bucks to sort through to find a shooter.
With the second season bring Sep 7-15 you may have a big buck show up at anytime due to the rut that had been previously living in some hidden pocket somewhere. Last year the second season also had a better success rate during the second season (97%) vs the first season (89%). Cooler weather most likely as well.
Also take into account that across the state line in NV 015 the season runs from Aug 22 ? Sept 7 this year so the antelope near the state line will be getting pushed back and forth during the early season.
I guess what I am trying to say that both seasons have their advantages/disadvantages. Both are quality hunts and their is no shortage of bucks. They are so hard to judge that most hunters just shoot the first decent buck they see. I would pick whatever season works best with your schedule where you can devote the most time to your hunt. With that being said, I would not be scared at all of the second season if you want the better draw odds.
Good luck on whatever you decide and if you draw shoot me a PM and I will be happy to share what I know...
Horniac
6x7
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LAST EDITED ON May-05-19 AT 04:53PM (MST)[p]When I drew in 09 I shot the first one I came across and it was the one I was looking for 15" then a month later I was In my taxidermy shop and he had a monster mass goat in his shop,I have never see mass on a antelope like this one had it was crazy,couldn't get two hands around it at the prong.Pissed me off I didn't scout more he shot it right across the highway from where I shot mine.
oilcan
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6X7 I know how you feel a lot of those are OIL tags but I would love to do it again.
I drew my Antelope tag in the late 90?s before points so when the point system started I was on my waiting period so I could not apply.
Then Fish and game realized they were losing a fortune on app fees from the people on waiting lists so they changed the rules and let us apply but by then we where 3 points behind max.
So I can't feel to bad I did get to hunt Antelope in my home state but likely will never draw another tag.
I drew my Antelope tag in the late 90?s before points so when the point system started I was on my waiting period so I could not apply.
Then Fish and game realized they were losing a fortune on app fees from the people on waiting lists so they changed the rules and let us apply but by then we where 3 points behind max.
So I can't feel to bad I did get to hunt Antelope in my home state but likely will never draw another tag.
Lassen early 2 yrs ago. Not the biggest out there but I ran out of time and I should have not passed one earlier. I should get to go on this hunt one more time with my wife and I am leaning to late this time. Plenty of bucks out there. If you can find mister big scouting then early is probably best but there is a lot of bucks spread out early. Fun hunt either way.
78?. Just needed more length.
78?. Just needed more length.
Well, I live outside of Truckee so I'm close enough, and I'm self-employed. Guess I would like to find a no brainer before opening day if I could. I found one in August last year that was a tank, don't know if he made it through though. Need to get out looking now that the snow is finally gone. To answer your question I wouldn't be able to hunt all 9 days but could make a decent effort. Scouting isn't a problem.
buckhorn
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I don't follow the California draw odds since I don't apply so I can't tell you which hunt to put in for based on that. But my gut feeling is that the early hunt would be better since you have plenty of time to scout and have already found where at least one good buck was last year.
I Drew the Lassen tag years ago when I lived in Doyle and killed and 86? buck down by hallelujah Junction.
Now I live in Nevada north of Reno I always apply for 021/022 and 015. Mainly because of the ease of scouting if I draw.
I'm curious what are the odds on the lassen hunt early versus late with max res points?
I would say there is a good chance that big buck you saw last year is still alive.
I Drew the Lassen tag years ago when I lived in Doyle and killed and 86? buck down by hallelujah Junction.
Now I live in Nevada north of Reno I always apply for 021/022 and 015. Mainly because of the ease of scouting if I draw.
I'm curious what are the odds on the lassen hunt early versus late with max res points?
I would say there is a good chance that big buck you saw last year is still alive.
Thanks YBO for your thoughts. The main reasons for considering 2nd season are 25% draw odds compared to roughly 10% on the first, and apparently more rut in the second season. At 60 years old I've been trying to burn some points every year, in some state. I've been applying for Calif. antelope since the early 80s and really just wanna go hunt. Thanks everyone! Oh, by the way, I just blanked in the Wyoming moose draw! Dang it
kalielkslayer
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LAST EDITED ON May-17-19 AT 09:36PM (MST)[p]I live near 5B so for me, a 1st season tag is the way to go since I would scout the heII outa it.
If you're just gonna show up and go goat hunting, you might as well hunt the 2nd season.
Early, you can find a buck in late July/early August and he'll likely be near there on the opener.
But if you can't scout a lot, Hunt the second season.
If you're just gonna show up and go goat hunting, you might as well hunt the 2nd season.
Early, you can find a buck in late July/early August and he'll likely be near there on the opener.
But if you can't scout a lot, Hunt the second season.
Thanks Elkslayer, first off I don't "just show up" for any hunt. The main reason for pulling the trigger on the second hunt is because of the better draw odds, plain and simple. Even with MAX points, I've got a 75% chance of not drawing. Anyway I'll be able to poke around out there if I do draw, heck I have been pokin' around out there for over 40 years. Good Luck
kalielkslayer
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Scouting before the 1st season, with a second season tag will have mixed results. Those goats get scattered with the 1 st season pressure.
I do know of a couple of times guys located good bucks in ?out of the way? places and killed them during the 2nd season.
But there is a week between seasons to scout and i?ve seen some really good bucks taken during the second season.
Spending 30+ days in the unit most years, I know things change yearly. With this wet winter, they should be pretty scattered, even in August. A good thing in my opinion.
I want to get out there this week to see how wet/muddy it really is, maybe Friday or Saturday when the weather clears for a few days.
I do know of a couple of times guys located good bucks in ?out of the way? places and killed them during the 2nd season.
But there is a week between seasons to scout and i?ve seen some really good bucks taken during the second season.
Spending 30+ days in the unit most years, I know things change yearly. With this wet winter, they should be pretty scattered, even in August. A good thing in my opinion.
I want to get out there this week to see how wet/muddy it really is, maybe Friday or Saturday when the weather clears for a few days.
kalielkslayer
Active Member
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Good luck on your hunt.
Well wanted to thank those that reached out to me with info for my 2ND season hunt. Got quit a bit of scouting in , and looked at about 160 bucks but only 6 or 7 were what I would say were above average. Ended up killing the 2ND biggest buck I found. The biggest buck I found moved out of the hunt unit about aweek before my season started. I found him opening day about a mile and a half off the unit. I'll try to figure out how to post a pic or two. Thanks to those who reached out.
LAST EDITED ON Sep-14-19 AT 03:25AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Sep-14-19 AT 03:15?AM (MST)
Buckbrush or Backstrap
Good Job on killing a good buck antelope
Also looking forward to pictures ,
All the years living in California I never went hunting for antelope but
I sure miss California Blacktail hunting, killed my first Blacktail in Northern California 59 years ago. Hunted California for 27 years until moving to Colorado because of the escalating crime rate and the liberal policies that were starting to emerge in the state. I still carry all the memories of those hunts to this day.
In my opinion California has gone so far left they should be afraid of falling off into the ocean with the next big one but you should be safe on the east side of the state
Buckbrush or Backstrap
Good Job on killing a good buck antelope
Also looking forward to pictures ,
All the years living in California I never went hunting for antelope but
I sure miss California Blacktail hunting, killed my first Blacktail in Northern California 59 years ago. Hunted California for 27 years until moving to Colorado because of the escalating crime rate and the liberal policies that were starting to emerge in the state. I still carry all the memories of those hunts to this day.
In my opinion California has gone so far left they should be afraid of falling off into the ocean with the next big one but you should be safe on the east side of the state
Smithb9841
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Good job! That's a great looking buck congrats!
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