California Public Land
 

I recently had family move to san diego. just wondered if anybody had any luck hunting deer on public land in the area? I'm a whitetail hunter from Pa so it would be a change of scenery for me.
Any info that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

RE: California Public Land
 

I've never been to San Diego. You could hunt from a treestand, but it may be fruitless. Still hunting is usually the best method, for my family anyway. Spot and stalk may work better for you, since you're used to stand hunting. Which ever you choose, good luck!

RE: California Public Land
 

There is a lot of public land in eastern San Diego County check out dfg.ca.gov to see Deer Zones and regs that are area specific. Many of the hunters will head north on I5 to get up a Tehachapie it has a higher altitude and better deer. on I5 there is the Tejon Ranch for hunting butitis at a fee. From what I have heard it has good pig and turkey.

RE: California Public Land
 

been here 29 yrs in SD county and the deer hunting sucks, its a great place to take your bow or rifle for a walk.

RE: California Public Land
 

Wow, I didnt think it would be that bad. It seems like they alocate a lot of tags for the area, so I figured they must have decent numbers.

Anything else worth looking at within a reasonable driving distance?

RE: California Public Land
 

its all about the money, thats why there are so many tags. check the harvest results and you can get a better idea about deer hunting opportunities. that being said this is probably and argueably one of the most diversified hunting areas in the west, I hunt all year long , mostly pigs/coyotes then archery deer than rifle deer and bear. the most productive hunting is at least 4 hrs north of San Diego. if you come in the summer ocean fishing is outstanding and freshwater fishing is good all year. I'm from upstate NY so it took a while for me to get used to this kind of hunting, when I moved out here I couldn't wait to get to the "national forest " figureing it would be like home heavily forested, it's forested all right but with people and cactus instead of trees, I'm not complaining just explaining, I've learned to love it here. If you decide to visit and have time I'll be glad to show you around, [email protected]

RE: California Public Land
 

NowI will have to disagree. I know people that have very good luck deer hunting S.D. My buddy took two nice bucks with his bow in the first 2 seasons he tried. Don't get me wrong, there is defintley better deer hunting but it's okay. The archery season seems to be better with access to better land and a huge season. Birds are every where and theducks are second to none. I took a guy out from Pa turkey hunting and he said he had seen more turkeys in one day than an entire season back home. Give me a pm and I willtry to set you up with a sot or some one that might be able to show you some stuff.

RE: California Public Land
 

camelclutch, theres nothing to disagree about, you said it all when you said "access to hunting areas" I spend more time in the field than anyone that I know, 12 months a year and the bulk of good hunting land is private or pay ,the harvest results on public land are deplorable. I also bowhunt and there are very few places that I haven't checked out. someone posted a photo taken this week of 73 jakes and longbeards in San Diego county on private land of course. public land has game but it also has a very heavy hunter population so the competition is fierce, about the time you get all set up with your decoys some yahoo either stumbles thru your setup or is stalking your decoys and I'm talking at least a mile from the road. There are always a few good hunters that do well and I consider myself one of them , but its because I have time to scout and hunt many days a year but someone coming into the area unprepared will get discouraged quickly.

RE: California Public Land
 

That's why I like Northern California hunting, USA if you are looking for thik forest check El Dorado National Forest just west of Lake Tahoe rugged mountains with thick trees. I hunted in the southern Cal Mountains years ago and prefer hunting North now. Archery is better in California because there is less pressure on the deer fewer hunters = better deer. My Ex lives in east San Diego County and have to agree plenty of coyotes. Most of the land out where she lives is PRivate or Reservation.

RE: California Public Land
 

scottymack, actually I'm coming up to visit my daughter in Placerville next week, hope to get to chase coyotes at least for 1 day. I lived in Burney Ca for a while , loved it but it was 59 miles to the nearest mall so the wife wasn't happy, good hunting,