what zone or area in CA.......depending on this our best bet will be to start scouting for deer in august or july...get an idea of where the deer are hanging out...focus on water and food sources in that area (acorns for october).....when scouting find bedding areas (usually on the top of nulles or in very thick brush) and see where they travel (deer trails or paths blacktails / mulies in that ares will tend to follow same trails for traveleing).....if not too much hunting pressure meadows are a good place to start....walk around them on the edges and see where the deer trails lead....

good luck!!