I am in D5 but I have not hunted for deer in California because I just moved here from Florida. Is that a good area for deer? Also, where can I obtain topographical maps of the area? And finally what areas are the best in Northen California? Thanks to all replies!!

Sorry to tell ya, but d5 isn't known for it's success. 2001 hunter success was 10%. Best zones to hunt in california... gotta be just about every X zone but they are all special draw hunts. I don't know about any maps but this website might help you out...

http://www.arwhead.com/calhunt/deer.html

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Truthseeker, get yourself a Delorme topo map of northern cal., it's to late for you to hunt any of the draw area's and also the C tag's are gone, but, there's plenty of place's to hunt in either B or A zone's, yolla bolly wilderness or trinity alps, both great place's to learn about cal. deer hunting and get away from the crowd's, good hunting, usahunter

2-Gun

Hi truthseeker, welcome to CA. Whereabouts in D-5 are you living? It's a huge zone that covers multiple counties. The success rate for the zone is low but there are a lot of residential deer here also. You can buy a D-5 tag over the counter here and can get a 2nd one if you like (once you establish residency). The D-5 tag is combined with zones D-3 and D-4 so you get a huge area to hunt.

Born to hunt, forced to work.

Thanks for your replies guys!!!

I grew up in D5 and there are many bucks there. You just have to get on to private or very hard to get to public land (all of the easy areas are over hunted and there are very few if any deer).

Where do you live?

I grew up in Murphys and my wife grew up in Avery.

Good Luck!

MJW

Try www.topozone.com for topo maps. You can view the locations, then print them on a color printer and on legal size paper. Tape them together and they are just as good as the store bought ones...and they're disposable too!

I am in Elk Grove which is south of Sacramento. I have heard good things about Icehouse. Is that place any good?

Truthseeker, I'm just above you in El Dorado county. There are some deer killed in the Ice house area each year and a lot of hunters too. Last year, it snowed on the last day of the season. If you want, shoot me an email with your mailing address and I can send you a forestry map of the area.
Cal

Born to hunt, forced to work.