§264.5. Use of Lights While Hunting--Remainder of State.

Lights may be used, in those portions of the state not listed in Section 264, to take furbearers and nongame mammals under the following conditions only:
•(a) Only 9 volt lights or smaller, hand-held
or worn on the head are permitted. •(b) Persons using such lights must be on foot.
•(c) Lights may not be used in or from a vehicle and may not be attached or powered from any source other than self-contained batteries.
•(d) A landowner or tenant suffering damage to livestock or other property by furbearing mammals or nongame mammals may designate, in writing, persons allowed by such landowner or tenant to use artificial lights in excess of 9 volts to assist in taking the depredating mammals. The landowner or tenants shall notify the closest fish and game office whenever furbearing or nongame mammals are taken under this authority.

No furbearing or nongame mammals including any threatened, endangered or fully protected species may be taken contrary to any other prohibition set forth in these regulations.

Ask DFG about hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation

If you want to view wildlife at night with lights, leave your guns and bows (or anything that can be used to take game) at home and be aware that if you are observed shining a light, you will be stopped by law enforcement and questioned about your activity. You should realize too that this stop may be done at gunpoint and your vehicle will be searched for weapons, as spotlighting is considered a high-risk crime.

http://californiaoutdoors.wordpress.com/2009/09/

Like I said, as a photographer, you are not hunting.

I have found that during the rut the bucks will run the ridges and tree lines more than anything.

True.....

There are a lot of factors that influance hunting areas where elevation from ridges or ravines come into play... Bucks bed in pretty predictable places along ridges and a quick look at a topo map and you should be able to pin point primary buck bedding without ever stepping on the property... Besides bedding, you need to factor in thermal wind currents when hunting this type of terrain. Thermals and wind direction also influance buck movements and bedding... I actually produced a 3-1/2 hour tactical DVD that goes into great depth about how to hunt deer in that terrain, and how to look at a topo and know where they are bedding. Its called "Hill country bucks" and its available in the store on my website www.huntingbeast.com

X2 get in there with gps and mark all the sign you can find. Load it into a mapping software and create a map. Make a plan and hunt, adjust as needed. 4 years and your on the top. Be patient.