Hunting Deer in California
We hope this guide will help deer hunters by encouraging a greater understanding of the various subspeciesof mule deer found in California and explaining effective hunting techniques for various situations andconditions encountered throughout the state during general and special deer seasons.
Second Edition
August 2002
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
L. Ryan Broddrick, Director
WILDLIFE PROGRAMS BRANCHDavid S. Zezulak, Ph.D., Chief

Written by John Higley

Technical Advisors:
Don Koch; Eric Loft, Ph.D.; Terry M. Mansfield; Kenneth Mayer; Sonke Mastrup;
Russell C. Mohr; David O. Smith; Thomas B. Stone
Graphic Design and Layout:
Lorna Bernard and Dana Lis
Cover Photo:
Steve Guill
Funded by
the Deer Herd Management Plan Implementation ProgramTable of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................5
Chapter 1: The Deer of California..........................................................................................................7
Columbian black-tailed deer.....................................................................................................................8
California mule deer.................................................................................................................................8
Rocky Mountain mule deer......................................................................................................................9Southern mule deer..................................................................................................................................9
Inyo mule deer..........................................................................................................................................9
Burro mule deer........................................................................................................................................9
Other deer? ..............................................................................................................................................9
California's deer population...................................................................................................................10
Chapter 2: Deer Hunting by Region......................................................................................................13
Southern California deserts.................................................................................................................... 14
Southwest region.....................................................................................................................................15
Central coast ranges . ............................................................................................................................ 16
Eastern Sierra Nevada . ........................................................................................................................ 16
Western Sierra Nevada .......................................................................................................................... 17
Northeast region..................................................................................................................................... 17
The Cascades ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Northwest region.................................................................................................................................... 18
Where can I hunt?.................................................................................................................................. 19
How much public land is there?.............................................................................................................19
Chapter 3: Deer Hunt Options............................................................................................................... 21
How do you plan a deer hunt in California?..........................................................................................22
What kind of deer do you want to hunt? ..............................................................................................22
Special Additional Hunts .....................................................................................................................23
How far do you want to travel?...............................................................................................................24
When should you hunt?.........................................................................................................................24
Access to the zone you want to hunt......................................................................................................24
How much do you want to spend? ........................................................................................................25
Do you want a wilderness experience?....................................................................................................25
What climatic conditions do you prefer?...............................................................................................26
Where are the most deer? .....................................................................................................................26
Creating a tradition ............................................................................................................................. 27
Chapter 4: Migratory or Resident Deer...............................................................................................29
Timing a migration trail hunt ..............................................................................................................32
Chapter 5: Where the Deer Are.............................................................................................................33
Attitude adjustment................................................................................................................................33
Finding deer............................................................................................................................................34
Secret spots..............................................................................................................................................34
Tough country ......................................................................................................................................35
Hunt the edges........................................................................................................................................36
Speaking of clear cuts.............................................................................................................................36
Speaking of burns...................................................................................................................................36
Chapter 6: Hunting Strategies............................................................................................................... 37
Spot-and-stalk . ......................................................................................................................................38
Stillhunting ............................................................................................................................................40
Stand-hunting......................................................................................................................................... 41
Deer drives ............................................................................................................................................42
Tracking .............................................................................................................................................43
Using the roads . ...................................................................................................................................43

Table of Contents continued
Chapter 7: Basic Equipment. ....................................................................................................................45
Deer rifles................................................................................................................................................45
Optics . ..................................................................................................................................................46
Choosing a bow...................................................................................................................................... 47
Choosing a muzzleloader........................................................................................................................ 47
Handguns ........................................................................................................................................... 47
Blades and saws for deer hunters ........................................................................................................ 47
Day packs, fanny packs and pack frames................................................................................................48
Clothing ................................................................................................................................................48
Footwear..................................................................................................................................................49
Camping gear..........................................................................................................................................49
Carry-along gear......................................................................................................................................50
Necessities for backpacking .................................................................................................................50
Chapter 8: Making the Shot.................................................................................................................... 51
Can you get any closer? ......................................................................................................................... 51
Aiming for a kill . .................................................................................................................................. 51
Aiming straight.......................................................................................................................................52
Watch and listen ....................................................................................................................................53
Confirm your shot..................................................................................................................................53
Tracking a wounded deer........................................................................................................................53
Approaching your deer .........................................................................................................................54
Chapter 9: After the Shot.......................................................................................................................55
Field dressing..........................................................................................................................................55
Getting your deer to camp . ..................................................................................................................58
In camp...................................................................................................................................................59
Keeping your deer in camp ....................................................................................................................60
Getting your deer home .......................................................................................................................60
Pesky critters ......................................................................................................................................... 61
What's that?............................................................................................................................................. 61
Taxidermy tips.........................................................................................................................................62
Photographing your deer ......................................................................................................................63
Chapter 10: Venison on the Table..........................................................................................................65
Should you age your venison?.................................................................................................................65
Venison as nutritious food.....................................................................................................................65
The uses of venison ..............................................................................................................................65
The taste of venison................................................................................................................................66
Chapter 11: Safety and Ethics. ...............................................................................................................69
Reporting game violations......................................................................................................................72
Chapter 12: Pursuing the Exceptional Buck.......................................................................................73
	Scoring organizations . ...........................................................................................................................78
Black-tailed deer range according to Boone & Crockett ......................................................................78
To take a prime buck ............................................................................................................................80
Chapter 13: Deer of California.............................................................................................................. 81
Appendix One...............................................................................................................................................85
General hunting information from DFG...............................................................................................85
General information from USDA Forest Service .................................................................................86
Map sources............................................................................................................................................87
Useful publications, videos, etc. ...........................................................................................................87

Introduction
To say that California hunters enjoy
an exceptional array of deer hunting
opportunities is no understatement. The
state’s six subspecies of mule deer inhabit
high desert foothills, alpine meadows, coastal
mountains, and many places in between. In
no other western state does such a variety
of deer hunting possibilities exist. It’s little
wonder that deer are the most popular, andaccessible, big game animal in the state.
Besides being the hunters’ favorite, deer are
obviously important to the economy. Literally
millions of dollars are spent annually for
hunting licenses and deer tags by the state’s
150,000 plus deer hunters. That money isimportant to wildlife management programsfor deer and other wildlife. In addition tofunding general wildlife management activities,
54 percent of all deer tag fees are funneledspecifically into deer projects via the Deer Herd
Management Plan Implementation Program,which was created by law enacted in 1984.
Deer hunters also spend millions ofadditional dollars on equipment, travel,
provisions and lodging. One study by the
California Department of Fish and Game
(DFG), on the impact of deer hunting,estimates that deer hunters help support
nearly 8,000 jobs in the private sector.
In a University of California study it wasestimated that in 1986, California’s deer
were worth approximately $445 million inboth hunting and non-hunting arenas.

Facts and figures simply underscore the relative
importance of deer to Californians. To most big
game hunters, however, the opportunity to harvest
a deer is not measured in monetary terms. Deerhunting is a very basic experience; a chance to
pit your brain and muscle against the challenges
provided by nature, such as the wariness of thegame, difficult terrain, and variable weather. By
fulfilling the role of predator, as human beings
have done for eons, a deer hunter becomes apart of the natural process of life and death.
Deer hunting may be the hardest work a hunter
does all year, but successful or not, participatingin the sport joins a thoughtful hunter spirituallywith his or her ancestors. Meanwhile the material
rewards, in the form of tangible accomplishments
and venison on the table, are great.
While the variety of deer hunting opportunities
keeps things interesting it can also be confusing,
especially to the hunter entering an area for the
first time. Recognizing habitat characteristics
is just one ingredient of successful deerhunting. Among other things, hunters mustalso understand the behavior of deer and thebest hunting tactics for different situations.
There’s a whole lot more, of course, andthat’s why this guide came about. The DFG
would like to foster a better understanding ofdeer hunting in California while encouraging
old hands and newcomers alike to participate in
the pastime. Hopefully this guide, Hunting Deerin California, will contribute to your enjoyment
of deer hunting for many years to come.

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Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

Deer Distribution in California

Rocky Mountain Mule Deer
Columbian Black-tailed Deer
California Mule Deer
Inyo Mule Deer
Burro Deer
Southern Mule Deer
Rocky Mountain and Columbian Black-tailed Deer
Columbian Black-tailed and California Mule Deer
Southern Mule and Burro Deer
Deer rare or absent
6

D eerof C alifornia
chapter
1:

The Deer of California
When most hunters discuss the deer they huntthey normally talk about mule deer or blacktails
without any elaboration except, perhaps, for noting the size of the last buck they killed or failed
to get. That’s not surprising. Most of us simply do
not have the expertise of a big game biologist
nor do we need to know the most minute details
about the deer we encounter.
On the other hand, it’s a good idea for hunters to have a basic understanding of the deer in
California. While you may not be able to identify
each and every subspecies (there is some overlap
in several areas), at least you’ll know that there arerecognizable differences in the deer that reside in
the various geographical regions.
According to the DFG, six subspecies of muledeer are found in California: Columbian blacktailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), Rocky
Mountain mule deer (O.h. hemionus), California
mule deer (O.h. californicus), Inyo mule deer (O.h.
inyoensis), burro mule deer (O.h. eremicus), and southern mule deer (O.h. fuliginatus).
Deer of one sort or another occupy roughly
88,000 square miles of habitat or 56 percent of theland in California. Some of the state’s deer herds
are resident animals that spend their entire lives ina particular area where everything they need in theway of food, cover, and water is available all year.
Other herds are migratory. That is, they range highinto the mountains during the summer and migrate
down to winter range in the fall.
Summer range for migratory deer is usually high in elevation (from 5,000 to 10,000 feet),
under public ownership, and is typically vast.
By contrast, lower-elevation winter range, somepublic and some private, is more limited in scopeand more susceptible to the type of alterations(particularly human development) that may makeit unsuitable for deer. Simply put, the amount andquality of winter range generally determines thesize, health, and future of many of the state’s deer
herds.
It is interesting how much the basic habitsof deer in California differ from region to region
from the type of preferred habitat to the general

The most numerous deer in California are Columbian black-tailed
deer which range throughout the coastal mountains and along thewest slope of the Cascade-Sierra Nevada Range. DFG photo.

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Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

Rocky Mountain mule deer are the biggest deer in
California and the third most abundant subspecies.
DFG photo.

herd movements within that habitat.
Additionally, the breeding season, or
rut, occurs at slightly different times
from north to south. Depending on
the geographical area involved, the rut
may take place anywhere from October(coastal mountains) through January(southern deserts). These factors are
all taken into consideration, along withseveral other factors, when seasonsand quotas are set by the Fish andGame Commission.
The most numerous deer in California arecolumbian black-tailed deer. They range throughout the coastal mountains from Oregon roughly
to Santa Barbara, and along the west slope of the
Cascade-Sierra Nevada range to Calaveras County,
and south along the foothills of the Sierra Nevada
to Mariposa County.
The second most abundant subspecies of deerin the state is the california mule deer. They areabcfound along the west slope of the Sierra Nevada
from Sierra County south into Kern County andfrom northern Orange County to San Benito
and Monterey counties. California mule deer also
are found in the Tehachapi, San Gabriel and San
Bernardino mountains.
rocky mountain mule deer are the largest deer
in California and the third most abundant subspecies. Rocky Mountain mule deer range throughout
the West and spill over into the Golden State in
Modoc, Lassen, Shasta and Siskiyou counties. Theyd
Here are the typical tail patterns of the various species of deer found in California (unlessotherwise noted):

e

f

g

a) white-tailed deer (not found here)b) Rocky Mountain mule deerc) burro mule deerd) Inyo mule deere) California mule deerf) alternate California mule deerg) southern mule deerh) Columbian black-tailed deerh8D eer of C alifornia

are also found along the east slope of the CascadeSierra Nevada chain to southern Mono County.
Some Rocky Mountain mule deer were transplanted
from Modoc County to parts of the desert mountains in San Bernardino County in 1948, where
they still eke out an existence today.
southern mule deer occupy portions of San
Diego, Orange and western Riverside counties
while the inyo mule deer (which may soon be classified differently based on new information) residein Inyo, southern Mono and northeastern Kerncounties.
burro mule deer (which have been combinedwith the desert mule deer, O.h. crooki) inhabit thesoutheastern deserts in San Bernardino, Riversideand Imperial counties, especially along theCalifornia and Arizona sides of the Colorado River.
From a hunter’s perspective, the easiest way toidentify the subspecies of deer that’s harvested is tomatch the hunt location with the known general
range of each subspecies (see range and tail pattern
illustrations on pages 6 and 8 respectively).
At the risk of confusion, it should be noted thatthe deer themselves have trouble recognizing one
another, or perhaps they don’t care. Except for thedesert areas, ranges often overlap and where they
do it is inevitable that the various subspecies willinterbreed. Thus, the buck of your dreams may very
well be a hybrid.
As a general rule, adult Rocky Mountain muledeer have the largest antlers and weigh the most of
the six subspecies. There are exceptions, but characteristically pure strain black-tailed deer are the smallest of the various subspecies in California.
While the die is cast genetically as to an individual animal’s features, ultimately its body and antler
size, and growth rate (within the framework of aparticular subspecies) are determined by the qualityof the habitat in which it lives. Studies (including a
recent study of captive deer) have shown that deerthat do not have a nutritious food supply will notdevelop on par with deer that have access to optimum high quality forage.
other deer? You may have heard some hunters
talk of hunting blue deer or red deer as if they’re
unique subspecies but that is not the case. Whatthese hunters are seeing are deer before and after

Good habitat is the key to the well-being of the state's deer herds.
Photo by Willy Onarheim.

they shed their summer and winter coats (or pelage).
In the summer, mule deer are reddish-brown andblack-tailed deer are even a bit redder. By contrast,
a mule deer’s winter coat is grayish-brown while a
black-tailed deer’s coat varies from warm brown togray-brown. It’s reasonable to assume that a graybrown deer could appear to have a hint of blue (tosome folks) given the right conditions—thus theterm blue deer comes into play.
One more thing. Contrary to what you might
have read or heard, there are no free-roaming whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in California,
which isn’t to say that there never have been. DFG
records show that in the past there have been occasional sightings of whitetails in the northeast
portion of the state. They have never become
established here, however, and the last confirmedsighting was more than 50 years ago. So, while there
are some white-tailed deer in portions of Oregon,
Washington, Idaho, and several other western9Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

states, you won’t find them in the Golden State.
california's deer population: In the 2000
Environmental Document on Deer Hunting, theDFG estimates that the total population of deer in
California is more than 511,000 animals. That is
fewer deer than were estimated to be present in the
1950s, perhaps, but probably more than there wereprior to the mid-1800s.
The California Gold Rush of 1849 marked
the beginning of a dramatic change in California.
According to one study, the greatest initial effect ondeer was from market hunting to supply venison formining camps. In 1852, it was said that there were
human occupants on every gravel bar of the Trinity
River from Salyer to Carville. Similar congregations
were present in the Mother Lode region and evenon the east slope of the Sierra Nevada.
Miners shot deer for meat year-­round and deerrange was altered by logging, grazing, burning andclearing. Some of the changes ultimately benefited
the deer but the initial impacts caused a decline inoverall numbers.
Historic game laws, hunting license requirements, and restrictions on hunting contributed
to the increase of deer first noted between 1910
and 1920. In effect, legislation and enforcement
allowed the deer to benefit from the improved
habitat created by the intrusions of man, including the large-scale burning and logging mentioned above. More recently, however, improved
fire suppression techniques have reduced theamount of deer habitat that had previously been
open. At the same time, human activity has
usurped prime deer habitat for agricultural uses,
subdivisions, freeways, reservoirs and shopping
centers.
In addition to habitat that is lost permanently,
or at least for the foreseeable future, there are

Adult does of any subspecies are not as big as mature bucks of the same type as this comparison of
two Rocky Mountain mule deer illustrates. DFG photo.

10

D eer of C alifornia
Deer hunting has been a popular pastime in California for along time. Photo circa 1940.

deer herds depending on severity and duration. A
prolonged drought, for instance, can eliminate vital water sources and stress browse plants on bothsummer and winter ranges. Harsh winter weather
can keep deer from their winter food supply onsome areas and cause a die-off to occur due to
starvation. Numerous other factors take a toll on
deer herds including predators, poaching, highway
mortality, overgrazing by livestock and deer, anddisease.
Through it all, however, habitat is the key
to the long-term health of deer herds. Naturalcauses of mortality have always been a part ofthe overall picture wherever big game such as
deer are found. Animal populations can adjust
accordingly, providing the critical habitat theyneed still exists.
Although there have certainly been manychanges in the overall landscape of California,
especially during the last 150 years, there arestill plenty of surprisingly good deer hunting
opportunities, both on public and private land.
Somewhere between the southern desert region
and the Oregon border there’s bound to be adeer hunting situation that will appeal to you.

various other things that affect deer herds on amore immediate basis. Disturbances such as fires
can actually renew some deer habitat despite theirconflicts with other land uses. Prescribed burns,
set deliberately in certain areas to improve habitaton small tracts of land, can also be beneficial. Old
browse (brush) supports far fewer deer than new,young browse, which is much more nutritious.
Meanwhile, weather variations can help or hurtThis house was built on
deer range. DFG photo.

11

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

12D eerof C alifornia
chapter2:

Deer Hunting by Region
For administrative purposes, the Departmentof Fish and Game is divided into six land-based
regions. Region 1 includes eight northern counties covering the width of the state from theOregon border south to Tehama County; Region
2 extends east from the west side of the Central
Valley to the Nevada border; Region 3 serves 14
counties along the western edge of the statefrom Mendocino County south to San Luis Obispo
County; Region 4 includes 9 central counties
from Stanislaus County south to Kern County;
Region 5 covers the southern coast, from Santa
Barbara south to San Diego County; and Region
6 includes the five eastern-most counties fromMono down to Imperial. (There is also a Region
7, the Marine Region, which includes the entire
California coastline.)
Knowing which of these administrative regions
contains the area you plan to hunt is helpful because then you can acquire additional information
by direct contact with the appropriate DFG regional
office. This is especially important if you are going to hunt a particular area for the first time andhaven’t the foggiest notion of where to start looking
for concentrations of deer. Hunting informationis also available online at www.dfg.ca.gov/about/hunting.
Because California covers an enormous area,
stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Cascade
and Sierra Nevada ranges and from the Oregonborder to Mexico, deer hunters encounter a wide variety of hunting situations. To help understand thedifferent scenarios it is useful to separate the state
into a series of informal bio-regions, each with individual characteristics that hunters should take into
consideration. While hunters may not recognize thespecific regional differences in the combinations ofplants indigenous to various locations, they can andshould know how the interior southern mountains
differ from the coastal mountains and so on.
For our purposes here, the state will be divided into the following bio-regions: the Southern
California Deserts, the Southwest Region, theCentral Coast Range, the Eastern Sierra Nevada,Western Sierra Nevada, the Northeast Region,
the Cascade Range, and the Northwest Region.
Bioregions have been determined by soils, plant life,
and weather patterns that influence deer and otherwildlife.

Black-tailed buck. DFG file photo..

13

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

bio-regions in california

southern california deserts
southwest region
central coast range
eastern sierra nevada
western sierra nevada
northeast regioncascade range
northwest region

Let's take a look at the bioregions and see
what makes them unique from the hunter’s
standpoint.
southern california deserts: This region ispart of the area known as the Mojave/Sonoran
Desert bioregion, a land of little rain and sparsevegetation that extends into southern Nevada andsouthwestern Arizona. On the west, east and northfringes of the southern portion of the Mojave
Desert there’s a small number of deer that provide unique hunting opportunities for California
hunters. On the west side of Imperial County, forinstance, there are southern mule deer and on theeast side, burro (or desert) mule deer eke out anexistence. In the desert mountains from the Clark
Mountains to the South Providence Mountains,there are also Rocky Mountain mule deer whichwere introduced from Modoc County several decades ago.
Hunting in this region is not easy. The overall population of deer is low and the animals arescattered in zones D-12, D-17 (Riverside, Imperial
and San Bernardino counties and portions of Los

Angeles, Kern and Inyo counties) and the southernpart of X-9c (also Inyo County). Throughout the desert region the deer are scattered in isolated pockets
of favorable habitat in the desert mountains and in
the breaks along the Colorado River. The annual
harvest in either of the D zones is usually less than
100 bucks, and in the desert portion of X-9c it’s alsolow.
It is not uncommon to go all day without finding a trace of deer in this land. Some hunters revelin the challenge presented by the desert-dwelling
mule deer and a few diehards take bucks in the arid
mountain ranges of the region nearly every year.
Local hunters are the most successful because they
have ample opportunity to learn where the deer are
located and how to hunt the area effectively.
Zone D-17 is the second largest deer zone in thestate after zone A. Incidentally, the make-up of zone
D-17 has been altered somewhat by the recently
established Mojave National Preserve, and vehicle
access within that area is now restricted. Be sure to
double-check with the Region 6 office of the DFG
before hunting the desert for the first time.
14

D eer H unting by R egion
southwest region: For the most part, thesouthern California mountains, including the San
Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains, the San
Jacinto Mountains and the mountains of northeastern Ventura County and San Diego County, canbe classified as part of the extensive Woodland/
Chaparral Province. This is an area characterized bywarm, dry summers and rainy winters. Vegetation
ranges from oak woodlands to vast amounts ofchaparral, meaning a blanket of shrubs that can bealmost impenetrable in places. Throughout muchof the region the hills are steep and the footing
uncertain.
This area, as most California residents know,
is very susceptible to wildfires, which commonly
sweep through the hills in the summer and fall.
Often the fires burn mature vegetation allowing
new growth which can benefit deer in some locations. Thus, some recovering fire sites attract bothdeer and hunters.
California mule deer are most common in thisbioregion, although there are also southern muledeer in its southwestern portion. Included in thisarea are such zones as D-10 through D-14 (exceptD-12) and zones D-15, D-16 and D-19. Hunter success in the region varies from place to place but
generally it averages around 10 percent or slightly
higher. Generally speaking, water (usually foundin the canyons) or lack of it will determine, alongwith preferred vegetation, where the deer will befrom year to year.

Even the arid hills of the southern deserts offer deer hunting possibilities. Jim Matthews photo.

Even today it is possible for a southern
California deer hunter to drive into the Angeles,
San Bernardino or Cleveland national forests fora day or weekend of deer hunting. Once again, a
few hunters seem to get their deer every year because they’re familiar with an area and recognize
the kinds of places that attract deer on a regularbasis. Also important is knowledge of road closures(which are initiated from time to time) and areas
with permanent firearm restrictions.
As one DFG biologist says,“Serious hunters have learned thevalue of pre-hunt scouting in thesouthern mountains. It helps tospend your limited hunting time
where you know there are somedeer. It also helps to get a map andnote where the roadless areas are so
you can get away from most of thegeneral recreation seekers.”

The San Gabriel Mountains, in the Southwest
Region, still offer deer hunting opportunities insouthern California. John Higley photo.

15

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia
This hunter is glassing for black-tailed deer inthe mountains of the Central Coast Range.
Bob Robb photo.

central coast range: Thesemountains are also part of the
Woodland/Chaparral Province.
They extend roughly from VenturaCounty north to Mendocino, andharbor numerous black-tailed deer in
the north and California mule deerin the south. This region is included
in massive zone A, and most of it
consists of private land. Many hunters flock to the Los Padres National
Forest and military lands.
Coastal deer rut earlier than most of the otherdeer in the state so zone A is open to archery hunting in July and for general hunting in August. You
won’t find an earlier rifle deer season anywhere
else in the West. If you think that sounds like awarm time of year, you’re right. Heat, of course,
plagues hunters regularly in California, even during
September and October.
eastern sierra nevada: This region is well liked
by deer hunters, especially those from southern
California. The Sierra Nevada Range is situatedon the western edge of the Great Basin bioregion,
which extends east to Utah's Wasatch Range. In
California, this region is characterized by sagebrush,juniper, and pinyon in the lowlands and pine forests
ending above timberline on alpine ridges. Rocky
Mountain mule deer call this largely arid habitat
home, inhabiting the mountains in the summer andthe foothills in the winter.
Several hunt zones are scattered throughout
the region, including zones X-7a through X-12 andthe northern portion of X-9c. Thisarea, stretching roughly from Sierra
County on the north to Inyokern
on the south, presents a varietyof hunting opportunities to those
who are drawn for tags. Hunting
takes place at various elevations on
the east slope of the Sierra Nevada
Range, in foothill regions and in
the White Mountains which rise to
the east of Owens Valley. Thanks toan abundance of public land, accessto hunting areas in this region israrely a problem.
western sierra nevada:
Generally speaking, the western
The east slope of the Sierra Nevada Range
appeals to many mule deer hunters.
Alison Torres photo.

16D eer H unting by R egion

portion of the Sierra Nevada Range can also beclassified as part of the Woodland/Chaparral
Province. The Vegetation is different here thanon the eastern slope of the Sierra because the west
slope gets significantly more rainfall. Due to someoverlap of territory, the distinction between blacktailed deer and California mule deer is blurred in agood portion of the area. he deer hunting zones inthis region, which is bordered on the west by State
Route 99 and on the east by the Sierra crest, arezones D-3 through D-9. There’s good public access
via national forest lands throughout the western
Sierra Nevada and tags for individual zones areplentiful. Hunter success is between 10 and 14
percent, depending on the zone hunted and a hostof other variable factors.
northeast region: This diverse area includes
portions of the Northern Mountains Province andthe Sagebrush Steppe Province, which extends
east to Nevada. Sagebrush dominates much of thissemiarid region but there are extensive sweeps ofbitter-brush as well. Much of the Northeast Region
is comparatively open with rocky peaks and draws,
and wide open spaces with bitterbrushand some juniper dotted hills.
On the northeast side of the region, the Warner
Mountains extend into California from Oregon.
This area has some timber, meadowlands, anda few places decorated with quaking aspen. The
whole range is very similar to popular hunting

The Western Sierra Nevada region has California mule deer.
J. Mark Higley photo.

spots in such states as Colorado and Idaho. The
South Warner Wilderness, between U.S. Highway
395 and Surprise Valley, is very popular with horse
packers although some stout hunters
do gain access to the area by foot.
The Northeast Region encompasses
parts of Plumas, Lassen, Siskiyou
and Modoc counties and zones X-1
through X-6b. Access to the region is
generally good due to extensive tractsof public land.
the cascades: The Cascade Range
borders the west side of the northeastern region and extends to the foothillsof the northern Sacramento Valley.
The mountainous areas, which areclassified as the Northern Mountains
This sagebrush and juniper country is typical of
portions of the Northeast Region that are home
to Rocky Mountain mule deer. John Higley

17Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

The Cascade Range is home to numerous black-tailed deer and some Rocky Mountain mule deer as well. John Higley photo.

Province, naturally differ from the east-side lowlands in that there are many varieties of trees
and some extensive timberlands. The region has
mainly black-tailed deer with some overlap of Rocky
Mountain mule deer in parts of Modoc, Lassen,
Shasta and Siskiyou counties.
The zones included in the Cascades are C-1
through C-4. Hunter success throughout the areavaries from year to year depending on how the deer
are doing and how cooperative the weather conditions are. Generally, the C zones provide better
success figures than the state average but a smaller
percentage of success than most X and B zones.
Depending on the zone, hunters will be on national
forest or private timber company land, much ofwhich is open to the public.
northwest region: Finally, there’s theNorthwest Region, which can also be classified aspart of the Coastal Rain Forest Province extending
roughly from Mendocino County through Oregon,
Washington, and into British Columbia.
This is a lush, forested area with redwoods,

Douglas fir, mixed evergreens, and oaks toward
the interior. Timber blankets the slopes of interiormountains, eventually giving way to rugged, rocky
alpine ridges in higher elevations. Black-tailed deer
reign supreme throughout this part of the state,
which extends roughly from the brushy foothills
near Interstate 5 west to the Pacific Ocean.
The northern portion of zone A extends into
this region which includes zones B-1 through B-6.
The B zones have a lot to offer to deer hunters,
including plenty of public land and lots of deer.
Depending on where you are in the B zones you
can hunt accessible national forest lands, wilderness
areas, and if you obtain written permission, private
land.
where can i hunt? This is one question naturally asked by many prospective deer hunters each year.
Well, you might be surprised by the vast amount ofpublic land available in this crowded state. With few
exceptions, most hunt zones offer adequate accessto national forest or Bureau of Land Management(BLM) lands. In addition, state forests and some18

D eer H unting by R egion

private timber company lands are open to the public. There’s plenty of public land but state game refuges
and national, state, and city parks are closed to hunting.
so, how much public land is there? Roughly
45 percent of the Golden State consists of federal
public lands. For starters, there are 17 national
forests with a grand total of nearly 20 million acres,
including 4 million acres of designated wilderness
areas.
If you want to hunt deer in the mountainsof southern California (the Southwest Region)
there is, as was mentioned earlier, the Angeles,
San Bernardino, and Cleveland national forests.
The southern portion of the Los Padres National
Forest also comes into play in the northern
portion of Ventura County (zone D-13). If you’drather go to the Eastern Sierra Nevada you’ll findthe sprawling Inyo and Toiyabe national forests
waiting. In the Central Coast Ranges the Los

Padres National Forest offers public access, andin the Northwest Region there’s the Mendocino,
Six Rivers, Klamath and Shasta-Trinity national
forests.
In the Western Sierra Nevada we have the El
Dorado, Stanislaus, Sierra, Sequoia, and Tahoe
national forests. In the Cascade and Northeast
regions, there are the Shasta-Trinity, Plumas, Lassen
and Modoc national forests.
Depending on where you want to hunt you
can stay in designated campgrounds, camp in
unimproved areas or, in some cases, head fora nearby motel. There are campsites on every
national forest and every individual forest map
has an appropriate listing. Maps may be obtained
from the U.S. Forest Service.
In addition to national forests, the BLM manages nearly 19 million acres of land in the state.
Much of it is located in the Southern California

The mountains of the Northwest Region have more black-tailed deer per square mile than any other area. J. Mark Higley photo.

19

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

deserts but there is an impressive amount of BLM
land all along the eastern edge of the state from
Mexico to the Oregon border. A smattering of
BLM land is also scattered throughout the rest of
California. Although some BLM land has no deer,areas that do are a real boon to hunters.
If you find yourself hunting burro mule deer in
San Bernardino County, you will be on BLM land.
If you hunt Rocky Mountain mule deer in the
Sagebrush Steppe Province in the Northeastern
Region, you will be on BLM land, and if you hunt
the foothills of the Eastern Sierra Nevada or GreatBasin areas, chances are good that you’ll be on
BLM land again.
Incidentally, the BLM has campgrounds in somelocations but normally you can expect to make dowith the BYOW (bring your own water) routine andfew improvements. Check with the BLM for mapsof their areas.
These words offer only a thumbnail sketch ofgeneral conditions in the informal bio-regions described herein. Because conditions change, hunters
new to any region should get updated informationon the specific areas they plan to hunt, as well as
the current status of the deer herds within thoseareas.
When the danger of wildfires is especially high,as it is at times in the fall, it’s important to checkwith public land agencies regarding possible roadand fire closures that may affect your access tocertain hunting areas. Be sure to check for firearms
restrictions near developed areas as well. *note: For
pertinent addresses, more information, and map
sources, refer to the appendix at the end of thisbook.

Also in the Northeast Region, the South Warner Mountains offer good hunting for Rocky Mountain mule deer. John Higley photo.

20

D eer chapter
H unting by3:
R egionDeer Hunt Options
In 1970, a resident deer tag cost $10. You could
buy a second tag for the coastal mountains andnorthwestern California, where the limit was two
bucks, forked horn or better, as it is even today.
With a general deer tag you could start hunting in the coastal mountains in August, in what
was then known as the early deer season, andkeep hunting in other parts of the state until late
October or early November, depending on the region you selected. In other words, you could hunt
anywhere in the state, anytime during the open
season, until your tag was filled.
The first regular season quota hunt in the state
took place in 1978 in zone X-5b. Prior to that time
more than 3,300 hunters descended annually on
the wide open sagebrush region in eastern Lassen
County and hunting was definitely a competitive
proposition. With the quota system the numberof tags was cut to a maximum of 500, and hunter
success soon climbed from 15 percent to 47 percent.
Almost overnight, zone X-5b acquired a reputation
as the place where a hunter might see more bucks
than in other zones.
Obviously, there were some complaints. Some
hunters who weren’t drawn for what used to be afavorite spot had to look for new places to hunt,
but those who got tags were very pleased with thesystem.
Since its beginning in 1978, the zone system has
spread throughout California. Its implementation
has resulted in more intensive deer management
and carefully controlled hunter distribution. Today,
there are no fewer than 17 X zones, 6 B zones, 4 C
zones, 16 D zones, and one huge A zone. There arequotas for each zone, but they are most restrictive in
the X zones.
Tags for the low-quota X zones are coveted bymule deer hunters and most X zone quotas arefilled in an annual drawing in early June. All Area-

Specific archery tags and special Additional Hunttags are also available through the drawing.
Tags for A, B, C and D zones are issued on afirst-come, first-served basis, and you can also list
any one of them as your alternate selections when
you enter the drawing for the low-quota hunts. Asof 1999-2000, any Additional Hunt tags that areleft over after the drawing are also issued on a firstcome, first served basis after September 1st.
For many years hunters had to choose whichzone, or zones, they wanted to hunt and thenacquire the proper tag(s) through a special application procedure. In an effort to allow more

A "B" tag is the only tag this hunter needs to hunt in any one of the
6 northern California B zones, a vast amount of country totaling
hundreds of square miles. John Higley photo.

21

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

Some Additional Hunts offer
either-sex or antlerless deer (doe)hunting. John Higley photo.

flexibility, however, the DFG decreed in 1992 thata single B zone tag would cover all the B zones.
The increased opportunity was expanded in
1994 when it was announced that a C zone tag
would allow you to hunt in any or all of the newly
established C zones (C-1 through C-4).
At this time, most tags (for zones A, B, C-2,
C-3, and D) allow for the use of archery equipment
during archery season; during the general season arifle, authorized pistol or revolver, crossbow or bow
can be used. Presently there are only Area-specificarchery seasons in zones C1 and C4 and all X zones,
but you can use all general methods, including
bows, during the regular season. Archery-only tags,
which are also available, confine hunters to archeryequipment while at the same time open up more
hunting opportunities. Archers are not allowed touse archery-only tags for Area-specific hunts.
Finally, in addition to general deer season
tags, there are limited tags for a variety of special
hunts. Called Additional Hunts, these seasons offer antlerless, either-sex and special buck hunting
opportunities over and above general seasons.
Included in the selection are general equipment hunts, junior hunts, and hunts especiallyfor archery, muzzleloading rifles, shotguns andcrossbows.
To learn about any notable procedural changes
that might take place in the future, including new
hunt selections, any hunts dropped for one reason
or another, or changes that are made in certain
zones, consult the most recent copy of the mammal
hunting regulations booklet.
so, just how do you pick a zone and plan adeer hunt in california? It really isn’t difficult but
there are a few things to consider before making
your choice. Here are some sample questions to ask
yourself before you decide what to do.
what kind of deer do you want to hunt,
mule or black-tailed deer? Remember, Rocky
Mountain mule deer are creatures of the X zones
and overall the quotas in the most popular X
zones are low. On the other hand, they occur insome beautiful country! To some hunters, Rocky
Mountain mule deer are the most spectacular deerof all, and their habitat, along the eastern edge ofthe state from Mono County north, is the mostappealing. These hunters put in for an X zone tag
each year, as can you, but usually they’re preparedto fall back on a “Plan B” if they aren’t picked in thedrawing.
There are D zones with California mule deer22D eer H unt O ptions

where getting a tag is not a problem, but most of theterrain involved is far different than anything you’ll
encounter in typical mule deer country. Of course,
if you really want to try something different, there’s
always the option of hunting burro mule deer in thesoutheast desert region.
Black-tailed deer country is very different fromtypical mule deer habitat but it has its own appeal
for some hunters. Generally, black-tailed deer prefermuch more cover, which they use to their advantage, but in some areas there is also some alpine
hunting available early in the general season. Blacktailed deer are numerous, which helps make up for
their elusiveness, and tags are readily available forthe zones they inhabit.

closing dates. Some Additional Hunts also focus onopportunities for archery, muzzleloaders, or a combination of the two.
Another option is junior hunts, which offer
special opportunities for qualified young hunters
between the ages of 12 and 16. Junior tag holders
must be accompanied by a licensed, non-hunting
adult, thereby opening the door for parents and kids
to enjoy a special experience. You aren’t guaranteed
an Additional Hunt tag but by all means read theregulations carefully and make your selection accordingly. After all, someone has to be drawn, andit might as well be you.

do you daydream about being drawn fortags for unfamiliar areas hundreds of miles fromhome. If they get enough good advice (perhaps froma biologist in the DFG regional office that oversees
the area their tag covers), study enough maps, andset aside several days for hunting in addition to
travel time, they may have a chance to find somedeer even without scouting the area in advance. Failto do research, though, and the dark cloud of frustration may very well be lurking on the horizon.

an additional hunt? Nothing wrong with that. It

doesn’t cost anything to put in for any special deerhunt and there are always plenty of general season
options left, if you aren’t drawn for any of your first
choices.
Additional Hunts are perfect for those hunters
who prefer general equipment hunts with something
special added, such as later-than-usual opening andhow far do you want to travel and how
much time do you have? Each year hunters draw

Hunters looking for a wilderness deer hunting experience can find it in several Golden State locations,like the Trinity Alps Wilderness shown here. John Higley photo.

23

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

The best option for hunters with only a little
time to scout may be to stick to an area close tohome, even if the overall population of deer there
is low. If you have only a couple of days prior to
the season, you may be able to scout out a backyard location and actually find a concentration ofdeer that will make hunting worthwhile even if
you're able to hunt just on weekends.
There are no guarantees, of course, and hunting close to home probably won’t be as exciting
as a longer trip to an area that is more remote.
Just the same, familiarity is often the primary key
to success no matter where you hunt.
Here’s an interesting situation. Many California
hunters who hunt other parts of the West as nonresidents, are happy to mount a major expedition
to a neighboring state and spend a good portionof their yearly vacation in the process. Yet thesame hunters will travel all night Friday to a distant part of California and expect to find a buckon the weekend. That’s possible, of course, but
it is highly unlikely. Normally, it’s foolish to take along trip for a short hunt unless you have been to
the area before and already know it well.
when should you hunt? Studies show thatmost deer are harvested on the opening weekendof the season. A few more are taken on succeeding
weekends, especially toward the end of the season
when time is running out and more hunters areagain in the field. Some hunters, though, actually
prefer to hunt between the opening and closing
weekends when there is less competition. Mostly,
they are the hunters who have taken the time tolearn the areas they hunt. They feel confident intheir ability to find the deer in a particular area atanytime during the season and they know how toadjust for changing climatic conditions.
what about access to the zone you want tohunt? Access makes a difference. Ask yourself, isthere plenty of public land or is it mostly private?
In case of the latter, do you have a contact alreadyor do you think you can get written permission to
trespass? For instance, some hunters are able to gain
access to private land through friends or relatives orsimply by asking a landowner. In most zones there’s
plenty of public land, in a few it’s limited.

Some Additional Hunts focus on opportunities for short-range firearms such as muzzleloaders. John Higley photo.

Physical access is another thing to think about.
Do you need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get
where you want to go or will two-wheel-drive do?
What about using pack animals or a mountainbike? Is shoe leather your ticket to good hunting
country? If so, will you have to hike a lot or a little?
It all makes a difference in the long run.
how much do you want to spend? Obviously,
the most inexpensive hunt is one that you make on
your own on public land, however there are otherways to go. Some hunters band together and leasehunting rights to private property while still others arrange to hunt with a guide (who probably has
private land at his or her disposal, too). Some wouldview leased land or guided hunts as being too expensive, but in either case your chances for successusually improve greatly on lightly hunted private
land.
As of the year 2000, 67 landowners were enrolled in the Private Lands Management Program24

D eer H unt O ptions(PLM) whereby they are obligated to implement a
5-year management plan to improve habitat for avariety of wildlife according to guidelines approvedby the DFG. Because of their involvement in habitat
work, and because deer are currently the primaryemphasis species on licensed areas, some landowners get a specific number of deer tags which can bemarketed in the form of fee hunting-opportunities.
A very small percentage of the state’s annual deer
harvest occurs on PLM lands but those hunters who
are willing to pay the price for such hunts normallyenjoy a high quality hunting experience.
The intent here is not to downplay public hunting opportunities but to show some of the various
options available in this state and to let you makethe choice. Certainly, most hunters opt for do-ityourself hunts on public land which can be very
enjoyable and rewarding in their own right. The
choice is yours!
do you want a wilderness experience? Yes,
there are plenty of wilderness areas with deer in
California. However, if you plan on hunting in aremote area your physical condition will be a prime
consideration. Whether you hike or use horses,
mules or llamas, you will normally work hard for awilderness buck. Some of the best wilderness hunting is found in the 162,824-acre Yolla Bolly-Middle

Eel Wilderness, on the Mendocino and ShastaTrinity national forests. The 214,000- acre Marble
Mountain Wilderness, on the Klamath National
Forest, is also a good choice, as is the 500,000acre Trinity Alps Wilderness, on the Shasta-Trinity
National Forest. The 70,385-acre South Warner
Wilderness, on the Modoc National Forest, is also
popular with some hunters. That’s only a samplingof the options in some of the 46 designated wilderness areas on national forests alone.
Admittedly, some are small areas and some
don’t have many, if any, deer. To double-check,contact the nearest regional office of the DFG.
what climatic conditions do you prefer?
That’s a trick question, of course. General
California deer seasons begin as early as the middleof August (zone A) where you can expect blazingsummer temperatures. Even seasons that open
in late September and October are beset by hot
weather some years—but that’s part of living in
California, isn’t it?
To beat the heat you have to learn to livewith it, as most zone A hunters do, or hunt in the
Sierra Nevada, Cascades and other mountainous
regions, if that option is open to you. If all else
fails, pray for rain or simply hunt the tag end of
the season(s) when crisp fall nights and cooler

Junior hunts provide excellent opportunities for young, first-timehunters. File photo.

Hunting close to home may not sound exciting but it can be
fruitful as these hunters will attest. John Higley photo.

25

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

days usually prevail.
While hot, dry weather discourages somedeer hunters, it should be noted that other hunters actually have come to terms with it, and they
manage to harvest their share of deer despite it.
Bowhunters, of course, get the brunt of the heat
during their early seasons but you never know
when a warm spell will heat up the general rifle
seasons as well.
where are the most deer? This could be
looked upon as another trick question. While hunters naturally gravitate toward areas of perceived
abundance when they can, and the actual number of deer in a particular zone is important, thebottom line is whether or not there are at least a few
deer where you happen to be hunting. It’s safe to
say that some hunters in every zone are either very
happy or mildly discouraged, depending on a variety
of factors which put them in the right place at theright time—or the wrong place.
That said, hunters are normally interested
in knowing something about herd dynamics in thezone(s) they intend to hunt. When the deer population is up and the buck-to-doe ratio is high, hunters will naturally see more animals and the overall
percentage of success will climb accordingly.
The final herd estimation is based on several
factors including the overall range-carrying capacity,26

D eer H unt O ptions

spring fawn ratio (fawns produced per 100 does),the buck-to-doe ratio, buck harvest, doe harvest andincidental loss to nonhunting causes.
What you have to remember is that things
are always in a state of flux in nature. There arealways factors that contribute to the expansion or
decline of a particular deer herd. For that reason the
figures in the accompanying table represent only anaverage from past years. They will, nonetheless, give
you some idea of how the deer herds vary from area
to area even today.

creating a tradition. Some families orgroups of friends have established deer hunting
traditions among themselves. There are some folks
who have been hunting the same spots for generations, making deer hunting an important part oftheir yearly activities. It gives them something they
can work together for and look forward to with
anticipation.
You, too, can establish such a tradition, but
to do so in a practical manner you should pick adeer zone for which you can acquire tags every year.

27Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

Northern California bucks. Steve Guill photo.

28

M igratory or R esident D eer ?

chapter 4:

Migratory or Resident Deer?
One of the first things a hunter has to do is determine if the deer in a particular area are migratory
or resident animals. Resident deer remain in thesame general area all year while migratory deer
move from summer to winter range and back eachyear—meaning that they won’t be everywhere atonce. For obvious reasons, then, making the distinction between migratory and resident deer isimportant to hunters. For example, if you choose
to hunt on winter range on opening day before theannual migration begins, chances are good thatyou won’t find even a track. You have to adapt and
go to where the deer are at a particular time.
Generally speaking, the deer of the southern
California mountains, the southern deserts and thecoast ranges are resident animals. There are also someresident deer living around foothill reservoirs, in theriparian habitat along rivers, and in some agriculturalareas.
Many resident deer inhabit areas that are on
private land while most migratory deer spend someof their time high in the mountains on public land.
Most of the deer of the Sierra Nevada Range, the Cascade Range, and the other northern mountains as far
west as the Trinity and Marble mountains, are migratory and move up and down with the seasons. That
goes for both mule and black-tailed deer, dependingon the region.
If you hunt the A, B-1 or B-4 zones, you’ll be
hunting mostly resident deer. The same is true if you
hunt practically anywhere south of Bakersfield.
The biggest difference in the behavior ofresident and migratory deer is that resident deer
spend their entire lives within a few square miles ofhabitat, while migratory deer inhabit separate ranges
at different altitudes that are sometimes many miles
apart. Resident deer stay put, which means that thedeer you see today will be somewhere close-by tomorrow. Whether or not you can find them is, of course,
another matter.
Actually, it’s possible to pattern resident
deer somewhat, especially if they aren’t under alot of hunting pressure. The deer will bed down inthe same general areas, get their water and feedin certain places, and generally use the same trails
to and from current food sources and bedding areas. Once you know their habits you will be wellThis resident black-tailed buck browses on oak leaves. DFG photo.

29

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

When the timing is right hunters may see deer migrating on well-beaten trails. DFG photo.

on your way toward tagging a resident buck, or adoe if that’s what your tag calls for.
While migratory deer may shift areas
completely because of weather changes, resident
deer just change their normal routine while remaining within a certain area. If you bump a resident
buck one day but can’t harvest the animal, it may
be a good idea to back off and leave him alone forawhile. If the buck wasn’t too scared he’ll probably
bed down in the same general area again, giving you
a chance to find him on another day. At that time,
it would be best to plan your approach carefully andtry to avoid another accidental, and usually fruitless,meeting.
The key to finding migratory deer during
the first part of the open season is to go high, if
possible, and hunt the deer in the areas where they
spend the summer. Where there is road access into
the mountains this is not a problem. However, inmany cases you’ll have to hike or ride horseback
into a productive area. Regardless, you should think
about, and take into account, the natural movementof the deer in a particular location.
Some long-time deer hunters in northern California will tell you that the deer begin to
migrate during the first full moon in September.
Whether or not that’s true, there are obvious
changes in the deer density on some parts of theirsummer range shortly after the opening weekend of
hunting season in September. It’s not unusual for
migratory deer to completely vacate certain areas
during the first half of the season while they remain
in at least fair numbers, for whatever reason, inothers.
When a deer hunter learns to recognize thechanges that take place as the season progresses, heor she can adjust accordingly by switching locations
as needed. For instance, some hunters know certain
areas well enough to predict where the deer will
be on opening day, two weeks later, during stormy
weather and on the final weekend of the hunt.
Even though the deer may move many miles, they
are tied somewhat to a basic routine.
There are several factors involved in the30M igratory or R esident D eer ?

Tracks in fresh snow tell this hunterthat numerous deer are moving
through the area. John Higley photo.

annual migration of deer throughout the state.
It is widely believed that the first fall storms arewhat really trigger the movement, but many deer
herds do start downhill at around the same timeeach fall, storms or no storms. The movement,
however, may not be as sudden or complete if
there is no inclement weather to hurry it along.
In the fall, deer may respond to food availability as well as to changing weather. Rainfall
immediately starts the fall green-up and thus createsa new food source for the deer at lower elevations.
Migratory deer that summer in the mountains
above foothills dotted with oak trees (generally not
the situation with deer in the Eastern Sierra or the
Northeast Region) seem to know instinctively whenacorns are abundant and they may start to vacate
their summer range early to take advantage of a
substantial acorn crop. Some years they stop in theacorn producing oaks and stay there as long as theweather cooperates and the food is available.
Hunters who key on food sources, such as
acorns, learn to identify which oaks are producing
and which are not. For instance, some years black
oaks will produce acorns in abundance; other years
it may be live or blue oaks. Obviously, hunters in
the know can save time by going directly to themost likely areas once they realize that the migration is, indeed, under way.
What all of this means is that the deer haveseveral options open to them within the annual

migration cycle. Certainly, they will move out of
the high country in the fall, but they may not moveall at once, and they may not wind up on the lower
end of their range while the hunting season is open.
Then again, they may ...
It’s a fair bet that any downslope movement will be slight during the opening days of any
deer season in the state. The situation can change
rapidly, however, and the hunter who does not recognize the signs may very well miss out on the best
opportunity to harvest a buck.
To see if the migration is under way, someAn established deer trail like this will show the effects of heavy use
during migration. John Higley photo.

31

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

hunters simply drive the back roads and look forwell used trails with lots of tracks that are usually
going downhill. Remember, though, the deer docontour a lot while moving and sometimes follow
ridgetops, but the end result is a downward move.
Incidentally, driving back roads and looking fordeer sign is not the same as road hunting, which is
not really hunting at all. Rather, finding sign is justone more step in locating a productive place tohunt.
A serious hunter who is familiar with a migration trail or two will go out of his or her way to huntthem whenever a fall storm hits. A savvy hunter will
not wait until conditions improve because the movement may stop abruptly when the sun comes out.
Some deer will be down but others will still be high,and while they’ll move down periodically, it will takeanother siege of inclement weather to really get themmoving again. If the weather is too nice, some deerthat are already down may adjust by going back tohigher elevations.
Careful observation should tell you if the deer
are still moving downslope, if they are hanging aroundin a particular area, possibly because of acorns, orif they are already on winter range. Some years the
majority of deer arrive on winter range at around thesame time. So if tracks and deer sightings, or lackthereof at higher elevations, indicate that the deer are

lower, that’s where you should be, too.
timing a migration trail hunt. Timing

is of critical importance if you are watching a migration corridor for moving deer.
If you are watching trails, arrive early inthe morning, preferably before sunrise, so you canintercept the deer that are passing early. Sometimes
there is movement during the middle of the day
but generally the deer will be most active early andlate. During the middle of the day, when most of
the deer are resting, you may be able to find someanimals if you hunt known bedding areas adjacentto trails.
Obviously, by the number of fresh tracks onthem, you can tell if the trails in an area are currently
being used. For example, if it rained yesterday and you
discover a number of sharp, clear tracks today, youwill undoubtedly see deer using the paths if you wait
around long enough. Speaking of tracks, there aresome hunters who go so far as to wipe out all the signon a short section of migration trail so they can tell
at a glance the next time around if a mass move has
started.
As you can imagine, watching migration
corridor trails can be a very effective tactic. But
you’ve got to be flexible enough to be in positionat the proper time. Being two days early, or late,
won’t work.

This hunter is searching for resident deer in northern
California. Robert Waldron photo.

32

D eer of C alifornia

chapter 5:

Where the Deer Are
Because California is such a large state it issometimes difficult for hunters, who are drawn
for areas far from home, to scout for deer prior
to the season. That is unfortunate, for it puts you
at something of a disadvantage, unless you’ve
hunted the zone before and feel confident in yourability to find deer there.
If youhunt near home
you can sometimes explore
new placeseven while theseason is on
and if you haveto travel somedistance to unfamiliar territory
you can do thesame thing—if you allow
enough time
to do so. One
problem is thatmany California
deer hunters arebasically "weekend warriors." They save their longer hunting
vacation time for trips to out-of-state destinations,rather than spending more time at home.
Some California hunters take their scouting
seriously of course, and that has got to be a benefit
to them when the season opens, especially if they’redrawn for a special hunt in unfamiliar country.
These dedicated hunters usually start by collecting
information from the regional DFG office that oversees the area they’ll be hunting in, then getting theappropriate maps and actually visiting the area prior
to opening day.
Although scouting can be work it is rarely
unpleasant. Sometimes it’s possible to combine
pre-hunt scouting with other activities such as a latesummer mountain fishing trip, or camping.
attitude adjustment. Remember, though,that the velvet
antlered bucks
seen hanging
around a backcountry camp,or out in themeadows during the summer,
may be gone
like last evening’s campfire
smoke as soon
as their antlers
harden.
True,early season
bowhunters
may still findsome of themliving the good
life, but as one bowhunting DFG biologist says,“Some of the mature bucks seem to have a change
in attitude before the rifle season rolls around. The
increased human presence just before opening day
seems to alert them and it usually pushes them into
fringe areas. On top of that the smart bucks become
nocturnal and start moving around mostly at night.
That’s why they get to be more than a couple ofyears old.”
In the summer, while their antlers are33

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

growing, it’s not unusual for several bachelor
bucks to hang out together. Bowhunters often
see such groups, and early season rifle hunters
may catch a glimpse of several bucks keeping
each other company. While there are exceptions,that situation usually changes shortly after thestart of the general season. Most of the bucks
that live through the opening weekend in heavily
hunted areas become extremely wary. But, they
are not phantoms. They still have to eat, drink,
rest, and in some cases migrate, and they domake mistakes which sometimes benefit hunters.
finding deer. Obviously, the first thing
you have to do to become a successful buck hunteris to find some deer. In the higher reaches of the
Sierra Nevada, the sagebrush and lava country in
the northeast part of the state and practically anyother open area, that may be as easy as getting to avantage point and glassing for deer with binoculars
or a spotting scope during the early morning or lateafternoon. Be patient and scan each basin, draw,
and ridge thoroughly and eventually you will finda place the deer prefer. If you suspect that a certain
area holds bucks based on past experience, but
don’t see the animal you really want, go with yourinstincts and hunt the terrain methodically anyway
and see what happens.
In the chaparral-covered mountains ofsouthern California, the deer are usually scattered and hard to see from a distance becauseof the brushy terrain. They can be spotted acrosscanyons and draws sometimes but one of thebest ways to home in on a potential hunting spot
is to look for basic deer signs such as tracks anddroppings. Drive the back roads and look for
tracks along the edges, glass from the overlooks
at daybreak and dusk, and better yet hike the firebreaks away from the roads until you find a concentration of sign. Put the tracks together with awater source and browse plants such as chamise,and maybe some patches of live oak, and you will,as they say, “be among them.”
Remember, the deer won’t be everywhereat once. They have definite preference for certain
spots, even if all the terrain looks basically the same
to you. Sometimes finding the right feed is all ittakes to find a substantial number of deer. On thehigh desert, for instance, bitterbrush is a favorite
food plant that can be recognized from a distancein a sea of sagebrush. In another area the key might
be chamise, mountain whitethorn, Ceanothus, astand of acorn-producing oak trees or a dozen otherthings depending on the location.
secret spots. Here’s an interesting observation from a DFG biologist regarding one aspect ofdeer behavior that hunters are apt to encounter inthe field at almost anytime.
“Bucks and does do intermingle sometimes, but chances are good that the biggest
bucks will not be in a place where you find thehighest concentration of does and fawns. It’s
always fun to see a lot of deer but it may be to
your advantage to look for a buck in aremote place where he might go to live
a more solitary existence, at the sametime avoiding human predators.”Those words ring true. Before theannual breeding season (or rut) manybucks, especially big ones, like to getaway from the crowd. Most likely you’ll
find them in what might be called asecret place, a secluded location that
happens to meet their basic needs forHigh protein browse like this attracts many
deer to recovering burn sites. John Higley photo.

34

W here the D eer A re

These black-tailed deer are in the oak-dotted foothills of their winter range in Tehama County. DFG photo.

food, water and cover.
“To get a buck in the northeast X zones
you should hunt the ridgetops at daybreak on
opening day,” says one DFG biologist, “and watch
for the deer to cross from sidehills with southern
exposure to north facing slopes as soon as theyrealize what’s going on. Later in the season, if
you don’t see a buck at daybreak or dusk, spend
most of your time hunting the north facing slopes
where the bucks usually seek out a cool spot
to bed down and hide whether it’s in the rocks,
brush or timber.”tough country. There areprobably more deer in northern California, fromInterstate 5 west, than anywhere else in the state.
However, there’s also a difficult mixture of timberand brush to deal with, and the terrain is very steep.

Visibility in many places is poor, which discouragessome hunters and actually encourages others who
have learned how to hunt it effectively.
Experienced timber/brush hunters havefaith most of all in the well used trails they find,in the nipped browse plants they notice, the tracks
around waterholes and the deer beds they comeacross. They hunt alpine areas where appropriate,timber when they have to, and the openings, such as
clear cuts or burn sites when they can. They wait forthe deer to come to them or go after the bucks via
planned deer drives. And, by virtue of the numbersof deer, they are normally very successful.
“In this part of northern California most of
the hills are steep and brushy and tough to hunt,”
Smith said. “The terrain hinders predatory animals
and humans but there are hunters who are quite
35

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

successful and they’re the ones who learn an
area so well that they can predict, by considering
weather conditions and food sources, where thedeer will be at a particular time.”hunt the edges. Deer are normally creatures of the edges. Depending on the location, they
may spend part of their time in deep timber, orother areas where there isn’t much to eat, but eventually they will come out to feed on brushy slopes
and in other openings such as agricultural fields,
clear cuts in the forests, meadows and recoveringburn sites.
speaking of clearcuts. Clearcuts, while
not as prevalent as they once were, also provide
good deer feed unless steps, such as spraying, aretaken to eliminate the new brush, which sometimes
happens. When the feed is present such openings in
the forest draw deer like a magnet, and as a bonus
they provide good visibility for hunters.
speaking of burns. California is famous
for its wildfires, and while some such incidents are

truly tragic, many burn areas provide prime, highprotein new growth deer feed within a year or twoof the fire. Actually, some deer might utilize a burnsite almost immediately. They’ll roll in the ashes torid themselves of parasites and feed on any usefulbrowse remaining inside the perimeter. If there
are living islands of cover within a burn some deermight stay there all of the time, otherwise they’ll
move in and out of the area on a daily basis.
Sometimes there’s an incredible numberof deer in an accessible burn area on opening
day and usually there’s no lack of hunters either.
Typically, a burn will produce good hunting foranywhere from 2 to 10 years after the incident, or
until the area becomes too overgrown to support high numbers of deer again. In addition towildfires, which may cover thousands of acres,the DFG (sometimes in cooperation with othergovernment agencies) conducts some prescribedburning of much smaller parcels especially for the
benefit of deer. They are also good places to hunt.

Bucks and does intermingle at times but the biggest bucks may be in a more secluded location. DFG photo.

36

W here the D eer A rechapter 6:

Hunting Strategies
Deer hunting is not a cut and dried proposition.
There are so many situations in so many different types of terrain that to say that one hunting
method is always best is, well, naive. Actually, thehunting method that works best one day may
be completely wrong on another. After all, mosthunts offer a variety of situations, each calling for
you to do something different.
Among other things, in this chapter we’ll
talk about stillhunting, stand hunting, spot andstalk hunting, deer drives and tracking. Even before
getting into each method of hunting individually,
though, lets look at some typical deer hunting situations that regularly occur in California.
When the moon is full, or when it’s reallyhot, as it often is even during the fall in the foothills of the Golden State, the deer are sometimes
hard to find even if abundant deer sign in a particular area tells you they are nearby. Most of the deer
simply bed down before sunrise and don’t come out
until nightfall. If you want to see them you haveto be out at the first hint of daylight, when a few
of the deer are still feeding or moving toward their
bedding areas, and at sunset when they usually startcoming out again.
Remember, though, that there are exceptions to this rule of thumb. Deer are ruminantsor cud-chewing mammals like cows and goats, etc.
After feeding they naturally head for protected
spots where they can continue to digest their foodwithout disturbance. However, during mid-morning,they may move around a bit to reposition themselves or get a drink, and the hunter who takes
his lunch with him, instead of going back to camp
for a snack and a nap, may be in the right place toharvest a buck at noon. Regardless, if you fail to fillyour tag, you might be wise to wait until general

hunting conditions improve and then try again.
During hot weather many of the deer will bebedded somewhere on cooler, north facing slopes,
seeking relief from the heat and pesky insects.
Often that means they’ll be tucked away in the timber, or such places as brush patches on breezy sideridges, beneath a canopy of oaks in the bottom of adraw, or in the shade of rock outcroppings.
No matter what, almost always the bucks
bed down where they have some sort of escaperoute available in case of trouble, including theappearance of a human predator. Ordinarily,
that means broken terrain, with rocks and brushand finger ridges, that create a variety of escape routes via which they can evade and avoid
trouble. When a startled buck gets up he usuallydisappears in a couple of jumps, either behinda screen of brush or a fold of ground, whereby
he can make good his escape without being
37

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

seen—by you. Happily for the hunter, a buck’s
escape tactics do not always work.
There are many different approaches tohunting deer during a typical California summeror, for that matter any other time, and the best

efforts for later in the season.
Although it’s hard not to equate California
deer hunting with warm or downright hot weather, changes usually do occur sometime during
those seasons that run into late September andOctober. A biologist in DFG Region 1 who specializes in deer noted that if it starts to rain, after aprolonged warm spell, the best thing to do is togo hunting right away. For some reason the deer
will start moving around quite a bit during thefirst decent rainfall and many bucks are harvested
at that time by hunters who aren’t afraid of getting wet. However, there can be too much of agood thing. When it’s really cold and nasty thedeer will often hole up on brushy, south facing
slopes and remain inactive until the storm breaks,
at which time you should be there, too.
Human beings like to categorize things
neatly and along those lines hunters have named
their tactics. Whole books have been written on
the so-called art of stillhunting, for instance, or
stand hunting or—you name it. To say that thisapproach or that is best under a particular set ofcircumstances may be a valid observation, but
to say that it’s the only way to fly is wrong. For
example, the dedicated tree stand hunter, who
decides to climb down and go to camp for somereason or another, may very well bump into abuck on the way if he doesn’t let his or her guard
down. You just never know when luck will play apart in your hunting success, but you’ve got to beon your toes to take advantage of it.
Here are some typical hunting techniquesthat everyone uses at one time or another to huntdeer.
spot and stalk. Basically, spot and stalkrefers to stalking deer that you’ve spotted from afar
with binoculars, a spotting scope or your naked eye.
Never use your rifle scope to spot! The spot andstalk technique works anywhere that there is goodvisibility including high desert areas, rolling rangeland, open foothills, canyon country, brushy slopes
and other openings such as the sites of wildfires andclear cut blocks.
Restless hunters, who just can’t sit still forvery long, would be surprised if they knew what
they were missing by not glassing patiently forThat shiny spot in the distance may be the glint of a buck's
antlers or the shine of its nose. John Higley photo.

tactic often depends on the amount of huntingpressure there is in a particular area. That isn’t to
say that you can’t be successful on public land.
Thousands of hunters are each year. However,they have to adjust to the behavior of the deer,
which react to hunting pressure more on public
land than they do where they encounter fewer
hunters.
Remember, too, that the hustle of opening
weekend soon subsides and a public lands hunter
who gets out during the middle of the season
may find relatively undisturbed bucks to hunt.
It is for that very reason that some hunters ignore opening day and save their serious hunting38

H unting S trategies

game whenever possible. Remember, it’s always
easier to see game when you are stationary andit’s always easier for deer to see or hear you when
you are on the move.
If you want to see deer a long way off,
position yourself as comfortably as possible andglass methodically, watching for any movement
or shape that might take the form of a deer. Withbinoculars, rest your elbows
on your knees, or lean overa rock, a limb or against atree trunk. In other words,
do anything to remain
steady while you glass. You
must glass while standing attimes but that doesn’t work
for long periods and you
won’t be steady. Likewise, forthe best results, a spotting
scope should be mounted
on a tripod if at all possible,
although you can steady ascope on a rock or limb temporarily and get away with it.
With any optical
aid you’ll have to rest youreyes occasionally but you’ll
be able to glass longer withquality optics than you willwith bottom of the line models. Shirt pocket size
binoculars are popular these days, and they areuseful for some situations where weight and convenience are major factors, but full size binoculars
are almost a necessity for prolonged periods ofglassing. There will be more on this subject in alater chapter.
Incidentally, while you may have reason tolook at a buck with your rifle scope on occasion,that tool is not adequate for serious long distancespotting and it should never be used when you are
unsure of the object you want to check out. Never,
ever point your rifle at any object that might turn out tobe another person.
The use of optics is normally associated with
distance, but that’s not always the case. Glassing
at close range will often reveal deer in tight coverwhen they would be all but invisible to the naked

eye. Scan a brush patch, or a stand of timber, andyou’ll see the difference. But look for parts of adeer as well as the whole animal, a patch of hair, anantler, an eye and so on. A biologist in DFG Region
1 notes that antler glint is possible to see from a
distance when the sun is low in the sky but he also
looks for the brief flash of a shiny nose.
“You may not know what you saw at first,”

A hunter in open terrain can save steps by using a spotting scope
to locate distant deer. John Higley photo.

he says, “but if you really study the spot where
you thought you saw a flicker of light, you’ll
probably discover a deer bedded there licking its
nose.”
Binoculars are almost a necessity while you
are actually performing a stalk, as you’ll want tokeep track of certain landmarks or the deer itself
while you close in.
A spot and stalk situation usually occurs when deer are not harassed. Bowhuntersoften encounter undisturbed animals, as do rifle
hunters in low quota zones where the huntingpressure is light. Even in the most popular areas,
though, the deer have to be somewhere andduring mid-season, when things calm down, spot
and stalk may be a viable option at sometime
during any hunt.
Generally speaking, spot and stalk hunting
39

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

is most effective early and late in the day when
the deer are most apt to be out somewhere
where they can be seen from a distance. That
is not set in stone, however, for there are times
when deer will spend the day bedded in a spot

This hunter is using a handful of dust to check the winddirection, a critical factor in stalking deer. John Higley photo.

where an observant hunter can sometimes see
them. An undisturbed mule deer in the highdesert, for instance, may simply bed down in theshade of a lone juniper tree on a sidehill or in a
shady patch of high sagebrush in a protectedbasin. Find a buck in such a situation and thechances of getting in close enough for a shot arequite good, if you plan the stalk carefully.
Before attempting a stalk on a feeding or
bedded deer, mark the animal’s position carefully by noting the nearest obvious landmark.
Key in on the landmark, and if you do not see thedeer leave the area, have faith that it is still there
whether you can see it or not. While stalking,always be aware of a deer’s senses of sight, smell
and hearing. Always stalk against the wind or
across the wind and try not to make much noise.
Do not move in the open where the deer mightsee you. If possible keep a fold of land, or a thickbrushline, or some other obstruction between
you and the game until you get set up for a shot.
When it comes to making mistakes while
stalking, and we all do occasionally, rifle hunters have more leeway than bowhunters, simply
because they do not have to get as close towary game. That does not mean that you can besloppy and get away with it, however.
Bowhunters need to be much closer thanrifle hunters so they resort to all sorts of tricks
to close the gap, including wearing soft, nearlynoiseless clothing, and even removing theirboots and completing the final leg of their stalkin their socks. Make that an extra pair of heavy
socks—not the ones you wear with your boots
because they will inevitably attract pine needles,
dirt, sticks and gravel and be miserable to clean.
stillhunting. Stillhunting is a difficult
form of hunting that most hunters do not practiceoften or with enough intensity to be really successful at it. Oddly, the term stillhunting refers to very
slow stop-and-go hunting in potential deer holding
areas. The basic idea is for a hunter to either spot
unalarmed deer first or to get close enough to see
the animals when they jump up suddenly fromtheir beds.
It takes a patient hunter to stillhunt effectively. Done correctly, the method is slow andpainstaking, calling for a hunter to thoroughly
cover very little terrain for each hour of timespent. Typically, you take a few steps then pause
to scrutinize your surroundings completely withnaked eye and binoculars. Then you repeat theprocess, which is 20 percent move and 80 percent stop, all over again, always watching thewind direction and making as little noise as possible. Deer will tolerate some sounds, especially
if they come from known routes of travel, but ifthey get a whiff of you they’ll usually be gone in a
flash. If a deer does not immediately identify you
as a hunter it may move only a short distance andstop to try and determine what made the noise40

H unting S trategies

that made it nervous.
When it’s nearly impossible to take a quiet
step in the woods try walking directly on game
trails and you may find the going is much quieter.
One savvy hunter interviewed for this book volunteered the observation that in warm weather
many deer hole up in large, shady stands ofmature live oaks on steep talus slopes where theyutilize established trails in the rocky base. The
hunter claims that he can move quietly on trails
beneath the canopy, and see deer as much as 100
yards ahead, simply because nothing else is growing in the deep shade to block his view. It is cool
inside the trees and the deer bed down there during the day so what he says makes sense. What’smore, acorns are abundant some years and they
act as an added attraction to the deer.
Another hunter mentioned that he commonly stillhunts along the edges of forested areasin the evening when the deer are coming out
to feed. He does this by walking in the dry grassalong the edge of an opening, which is muchquieter than leaves, and watching the edge ahead
and on the other side of the opening. He’s killed
several blacktail bucks in that manner.
Speaking of noise, it is definitely to youradvantage to wear something other than new

Tracks will tell you if there are big and/or small deer in anarea and if there are deer present at all. Durwood Hollis photo.

blue jeans while stillhunting. Branches scrape
loudly across some fabrics but brush others withvery little sound. Well aged jeans are better thanstiff, new trousers but there’s a wide array of hunting clothes these days that are much quieter.
The stillhunter should be aware of a deer’s
senses and also his own. You may not smell a deer
very often before you see it (although it is sometimes
possible to do so) but you’d be surprised by how
many times you’ll hear deer moving before you see
them. Be aware of your senses, and use them to youradvantage, and you’ll see more game.
Many California hunters practice a combination of spot and stalk, stillhunting and ridgerunning. In other words, they hike up or down
firebreaks, skid trails and otherwise open ridgetops,
looking for deer on the slopes below. In some areas
this is a very effective approach to deer hunting,especially if you sit and watch a saddle or hillsideat daybreak then move if need be to sit and watch
again. In some cases you can see off both sides ofa ridge and study the slopes of some finger ridges
as well. If you spot a distant buck you can usually
figure out a way to get close enough to it for a shot.
As a general rule of thumb you should
try to spot deer in the open at daybreak andsave your stillhunting efforts for the hours when
the deer are bedded down chewing their cud.
That means roughly from 10 a.m. on. It pays, ofcourse, to know something about the terrain,
and how the deer use it, before you ever attempt
this technique. Ask yourself where the deer bed,
how you can approach with the breeze in yournose, not their’s, and where the deer go whenthey’re jumped. If you have the answers, stillhunting may pay off for you, as it does for some other
California hunters each year.
stand hunting. There are two basic kindsof stands commonly utilized by hunters and neitherof them have lemonade signs on them. They are tree
stands or ground stands (or blinds).
The description of stands includes permanent stands, which are normally used year after
year by the same hunter(s) (or anyone else who
finds them) and temporary stands which may be
no more than a hunter’s tree stump seat or a put41

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia
Many bowhunters, and some riflehunters, use tree
stands to hunt deer. If you do, remember to put safety
first. Use a sturdy, well-designed stand and wear a safety
harness to eliminate the possibility of falling.
John Higley photo.

it-up and take-it-down tree stand that basicallygoes where you go.
Bowhunters often rely on tree stands of
one kind or another because being in a tree lifts
your scent off the ground and makes it harder forthe deer to smell or see you. Some prime locations for tree stands include places along wellused trails leading to and from bedding and feeding areas, and overlooking approaches to sourcesof water. Trail intersections are also good spots,
providing the trails show recent use by deer.
In some cases ground stands also work forbowhunting. Set up downwind from the trail you
want to watch and you may have deer walk right
past you without smelling you.
Rifle hunters rely less on tree stands thanbowhunters but there are times when getting up
off the ground is advantageous. In some traditional migration areas in northern California, forinstance, there are tree stands that have beenin use for years, especially when the first stormy
weather prompts a noticeable movement of deeralong well used trails.
It should go without saying, but tree standhunters should always put their own safety first. Usea well designed stand that you are comfortable withand always, always use a safety belt while you are up
in a tree and a haul line to bring up your rifle orbow.
Usually a rifle hunter’s idea of a stand is apile of rocks or the top of a knob with a view ofa trail laced sidehill or a well used saddle below.
Some of the most successful migration trail andopening day hunters simply sit and watch froma vantage point for the deer to walk by. The idea
on opening day, of course, is to get into position
before first light and watch for deer movement
when other hunters start beating the brush at
dawn. Some hunters go so far as to hike into a
spot the night before opening day and wake up
right where they want to be.

Hunting from a stand can be a usefultechnique after opening day, especially if the deer
have had a chance to calm down. However, this is
only for a patient hunter who is willing to spend
hours looking at a sometimes brushy hillside with
only quail and squirrels for company. As usual, theprime times for watching for a buck are at firstlight and dusk. However, if it is hot, and you areclose to water, you may get a welcome surpriselate in the morning.
deer drives. One useful technique that has
potential at almost anytime during the season is aplanned deer drive employing the services of several
hunters. The idea is to push the bush, as they say in
Canada, and make the deer move enough for someone to see them.
This operation usually calls for drivers andstanders. Standers are placed in strategic spots
overlooking known escape routes, while drivers
move through the cover making the deer get up
and move. The deer do not always cooperate, ofcourse, but it is not uncommon for drivers and/or standers to see bucks that would otherwise
escape notice. It goes without saying that drives
should be coordinated and directed toward a42

H unting S trategies

manageable block of habitat rather than an entire
drainage. Hunters must be aware of each other’s
position and follow strict rules of safety.
Even more popular these days are minidrives involving only two or three hunters. One
hunter can sneak quietly along on a ridge orslope while another moves through potential
deer holding spots without concern about noise.
If a buck moves, chances are good that it will go
uphill where it may possibly be seen by the second hunter. A third hunter may be stationed on
the opposite hillside or on the slope between the
top man and the driver.
Many avid deer hunters use two man deer
drives to fill their tags. This method can work well—providing you are in deer rich terrain to begin with.
It isn’t exactly driving deer but in some areas
several hunters can work together on parallel ridges,
often moving deer between them. Even when nodeer are seen right off the bat, a rock tossed here or
there may get them up from their beds and give youa chance. One useful tactic is to carry a predator
call and blow it occasionally to make the deer get up
so you can see them. In California there are hundreds of places where working parallel ridges is themost practical approach.
Some hunters swear by the use of deer dogs
for deer drives during the general season. That’s
where the phrase “dogging the brush” (which now
applies to human drivers) came from originally.
The idea here is for the dog to jump deer and makethem move so the drivers and standers can see
them. Small dogs that can’t catch deer are normallyused for this operation, which depends on thecanine’s sense of smell and its urge to bark, to flush
hidden deer. Dogs are not legal to use during thearchery deer or archery bear seasons.
note: Be sure to consult the regulations booklet
regarding the use of dogs in the area you intend to hunt.

tracking. This technique has limited appli-

cation in most parts of the state. There are usually
so many tracks that it is all but impossible to sortthem out, or the ground is such that the deer simply
do not leave tracks that a man can detect. However,there are useful aspects to looking for tracks undercertain circumstances.
According to some devoted desert deerhunters, in zones such as D-12, D-17 and even X-9c
tracking is the only really effective method of finding a buck. They drive back roads until they find apromising set of fresh tracks then get out of their vehicle and follow the tracks until they find the deer.
Obviously the chore isn’t easy but the end results areworth the labor as some of those hunters get theirbucks every year.
In another situation you may spot a big
track, hopefully made by a buck although there’s no
way to be 100 percent sure, crossing a road or someother opening and that may encourage you and yourbuddies to put on a drive in hopes of finding thatanimal.

Deer drives are popular with some hunters but to conduct a drive
effectively takes some planning and knowledge of a specific area.
John Higley photo.

43

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

A buck like this will usually choose a bed that offers
comfort and quick escape frompredators–including hunters.
Steve Guill photo.

Mostly, though, tracking is limited tolocating a bunch of tracks somewhere and trying to determine if they were made recently or amonth ago. Tracks do tell you if there are big andsmall deer in an area or if there are deer there atall. The method is sometimes useful while trailingwounded game and that’s a subject that will belooked at later.
using the roads. Considering the abundance of secondary roads and skid trails crisscrossing many popular deer hunting areas, it’s little
wonder that some hunters do more driving thanhiking while deer hunting.
Obviously you need transportation to getto wherever you plan to hunt but actually hunting

from a vehicle is illegal. When you get right down
to it, road hunting isn’t very effective anyway and it
conveys an image to the general public that can bevery damaging to the sport.
In part, the regulations state that no person
shall pursue, drive, herd or take any bird or mammal fromany type of motor-driven air or land vehicles, etc.
For now, remember that deer hunting in
California is not a cut and dried affair. Go afield
prepared to change tactics according to the weather
and the habitat involved. Regardless, it’s almost
always best to be sitting and waiting somewhere atdaybreak and dusk and to try other things during
the heat of the day.

44

H unting S trategies

chapter 7:

Basic Equipment

While the act of hunting deer is not necessarily
a complicated matter it is an undertaking that takessome thought, preparation and basic equipment. As
the years pass experienced hunters usually gather
the necessities, as they see them, many of whichbecome as familiar as old friends. A favorite deer
rifle just feels right in the field, as does a dependable pair of binoculars or a knife that has been usednumerous times for field dressing and skinningchores.
There are many other things, of course, but
the point is that different hunters choose many of
the same kinds of tools for the various jobs associated with deer hunting. With that in mind, here are a
few thoughts on basic equipment to get you started.
deer rifles. There is a dizzying array ofrifle makes, types and calibers to choose from,and many of them meet the official DFG requirements for the hunting of deer—namely that they use
centerfire cartridges with soft nose or expanding
bullets. Among the various types of rifles that meetthe criteria are the bolt action, semi-auto,
pump action and lever action carbines.
Because of the type of terrain most
California hunters face, with the real possibility of a variety of shooting situations
any day of the week, most hunters rely on
scope-sighted, bolt action rifles, which are

indisputably the most dependable and accurate general hunting rifles available. Some popular calibers
for deer, but certainly not all, include the flat shooting .243, .257, .264 Winchester magnum, .270, .308,
7mm Remington magnum and .30-06.
There are hunters who still prefer to huntwith rifles like the .30-30 carbine and a variety ofother calibers which are not really suited to longrange shooting. That’s okay for some hunters, who
habitually hunt in terrain where visibility is limited, but a rifle that performs equally well at longer
ranges is usually a better choice for the majority.
Here’s why. At 300 yards a typical 130 grain bullet
fired from a .270 drops roughly 9 inches while a 150
grain bullet from a .30-30 falls more than two feet,
yet the .270, or another similar caliber, will also beright on target close-up. There are obviously manyfactors to take into consideration before purchasing
a deer rifle and you can sort them out by talking
with experienced deer hunters and knowledgeable gun dealers or by reading up on the various

For accuracy and practicality most deer hunters
prefer a scope sighted, bolt action rifle like this.
John Higley photo.

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Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

Here are just some of the many types ofbinoculars used by deer hunters. John Higley photo.

attributes of different calibers.
Bear in mind, though, that the effectiveness of whatever rifle you choose is tied directly
to your ability as a hunter to use it. Part of theequation that adds up to success lays in your confidence in your rifle and your performance with it.
Certainly the subject of which bullets to
use goes along with any discussion of rifles for deerhunting. A volume could be written on the various
choices and opinions as to what’s best—but, really,
you don’t have to be a ballistics expert to make agood choice. Factory made ammunition, available
anywhere that bullets can be sold, is entirely adequate for deer hunting anywhere. Simply read thelabel to see which type of bullets, and weights, themanufacturer recommends for your rifle.
optics. Although a few hunters still preferto shoot with open sights, for most deer hunting arifle scope makes very good sense. As with otherthings, there are many scopes to choose from,depending on your personal preference, and theprice you can afford. Regardless, a hunting scopemust stand up to poor weather and some normal
wear and tear in the field. Some hunters prefer variable scopes such as a 1.5x-6x, 2x-7x or 3x-9x which
gives them the choice of different magnification fordifferent situations but many others rely on fixed
power scopes such as a 4x, which is about ideal as a
middle of the road selection.
No deer hunter should be without a pair ofbinoculars. Not only is it important to be able tospot deer at a considerable distance, but it is equallyvaluable to be able to study the terrain a
few yards away when you suspect there
might be deer there. Look at a brushy
spot, or into shadows in the timber withyour naked eye, then study the same
spot with your binoculars and you’ll beamazed by the additional detail you see.
Again, there are major differences in binoculars. Some miniature
types are handy because they’re light andthey can be tucked away in a shirt pocket
when not in use, but a full size pair will generally
gather more light (a function of the size of the objective lens) and be easier on the eyes while glassing
for long periods. For daily duty most hunters carrybinoculars in the 7x35 to 8x40 class.
Binoculars come in two basic configurations, depending on whether they’re the roof prismor porro prism type. Regardless of which type you
choose, opt for quality whenever possible. You wantbinoculars that are comfortable to hold and carry,but more importantly they must be easy on the eyes(meaning coated, high quality lenses) and able towithstand rough handling in the field as well as
weather variables. Many hunters like rubber coatedbinoculars because they don’t clank when they contact hard surfaces and they are protected from dings
somewhat by the covering.
Last, but not least, there are times when aspotting scope will easily earn its weight in venison. If you plan to hunt in open terrain, such as
high desert mule deer country, where long distanceglassing is not only possible but a necessity, by allmeans tote a spotting scope along. Again, there areseveral types on the market and it’s up to you to
decide which one is best for you. Generally speaking, a scope that magnifies distant objects 20 times
is all you’ll need, however some hunters like variable
power spotting scopes which magnify from, say,
20x to 45x. Whether or not the higher magnification will be useful depends largely on the prevailingtemperature and the presence of heat waves which46

B asic E quipment

will blur the picture on any but the coolest days.
choosing a bow. Without a doubt mostbowhunters in California hunt deer with compoundbows. The advantages of this type of modern bow,over recurve bows and traditional longbows, aremany. They include greater arrow speed (meaning
flatter trajectory and better accuracy) and a marked
let-off in draw weight at full draw due to a cam andcable system. Of course, there are a few hunters
who prefer the less complicated and lighter recurves
and longbows, and who would rather hunt with an
implement that adds even more challenges to theirpursuit of deer.
Regardless of the bow chosen it must meet
regulations for deer hunting. All bows used for
big game in California have to be able to cast alegal hunting arrow horizontally at least 130 yards.
Broadheads must be greater than 7/8" in diameter.
choosing a muzzleloader. Some hunters put in for tags that will allow them to hunt deer
during certain limited seasons with muzzleloadingrifles. These firearms are gaining in popularity as
more short range muzzleloading firearms hunts are
set aside in California and elsewhere.
Like bowhunting, there is a lot more to
blackpowder hunting than readily meets the eye.
However, choosing the right rifle, if you do not havea muzzleloader already, is not difficult. Just remember the regulations, as set by the Fish and Game
Commission, call for a rifle of at least .40 caliberthat uses blackpowder or Pyrodex with a single ballor conical bullet loaded from the muzzle
and which is equipped with iron sights.
It matters only to you whether the rifle isa flintlock or percussion type. However,
percussion rifles are by far the mostpopular and convenient for big gamehunting.
handguns. Some hunters prefer
to hunt their big game with handguns,

which is possible during the general seasons. To be
legal for deer in California your handgun must fire
centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding
bullets. That description is almost too lenient, assome hunters try to hunt with marginal pistols or
revolvers. Most serious handgunners prefer calibersof .357, .41 or .44 magnum for deer hunting. Quite
often, serious handgunners equip their guns withlow power scope sights (made especially for handguns), giving them a more defined sight picture.
Regardless, handgunners owe it to themselves, and to the game, to become proficient with
their firearms. That means practice, practice,practice.
blades and saws for deer hunters.
While it’s obvious that a good knife is absolutely
necessary for field dressing any kind of game, there
are many thoughts as to what constitutes the best
knife for different jobs. While there are about as
many knife designs available as there are deer tags
for certain hunts, bear in mind that in a pinch experienced deer hunters can easily field dress, and evenskin a deer, with nothing more than a pocketknife.
Most experienced deer hunters swear byfolding or straight belt knives with blades of 3 to
4 inches. Longer knives are used by some, andthey have a place for heavy chores, but they are
not necessary for processing any deer. No matter
what knife you choose be sure to take some sortof sharpener with you in case the blade needs
touching up while you work on your deer.

Deer hunters have a wide variety of calibers
and bullets to choose from. Pictured here are
the 7mm. Rem. Mag., .270, .30-06, 25-06 and 3030. Other popular rounds include the .243,.257 Roberts and .308. Robert Waldron photo.

47

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

There are several types of saws that a deerhunter might use while working on game in campor in the field. A saw, such as the popular Wyoming
saw, or a similar small saw of a different design, isalmost a necessity for backpacking if you want to remove your deer in its lightest form. While you canbone the animal with a knife, you’ll need a saw toremove the antlers from the skull unless you want
to tote the head out whole. The same saw can beused in camp, or at home, but a full sized butcher’sbone saw is a better choice when you don’t have tophysically carry it around with you.
day packs , fanny packs and packA good knife is a necessity for any deer hunter andthere are many varieties to choose from. Robert Waldron photo.

frames. Although many deer hunters see no use forpacks, preferring instead to carry whatever items
they need for a day afield in their shirt or jacket
pockets, there are others who opt for day packs or
fanny packs, which ride on your waist, for a varietyof reasons. For one thing, they then have a handy
place to stuff whatever items they see a need for ona hunt of short or day long duration, without having them get in the way. There are many types of
day and fanny packs but the main thing to remember is that you will be carrying some significant
weight in either, and most cheaply made packs will
not hold up for long against the strain. Buy a heavy
duty day or belt pack and you’ll get many seasons ofhard use from it.

Pack frames are an important consideration for hunters who get off the beaten track
and hunt a long way from the nearest passable
road. For one thing you may have to tote yourcamp with you and for another you may have to
cut up a deer and carry it out. As with day packs,
do not expect a bargain basement frame toperform very long under heavy loads. Get a good
one to start with and it will last for years.
clothing. California deer hunters have aunique set of circumstances to work with. For one
thing it’s often warm during the season and evenwhen the weather is terrible (but good for hunting)it’s usually not unduly cold or snowy. Most rifle
hunters get along fine with blue jeans by wearing
long underwear underneath if it’s cold.
Bowhunters, on the other hand, should
consider wearing less abrasive clothing that won’t
make much noise while brushing against undergrowth on a ticklish stalk. Regardless of what
garments you choose, bear in mind that the layered
look is definitely in for anyone who intends to move
about while hunting. You want to be able to adjust
for the warmth after the chill of morning and stayreasonably comfortable when the sun goes down. A
vest, jacket and long sleeved shirt are a much better
choice than a suit of coveralls, for instance.
Gloves are another necessity and even a lightpair of rag wool gloves will add to your comfort during cold weather. Of course, there are many typesof gloves, some of which are suitable for extremely
harsh conditions, while others are best when theweather is mild.
You’ll need a hat, too, and depending on
where and when you hunt you can get by with asimple baseball cap, which keeps the sun out ofyour eyes if nothing else, or any one of several othertypes of hats that are commonly used in the West.
One important reason for wearing a hat is that ithelps keep you warm by holding in the body heatnormally lost from a bare head.
There currently is no hunter orange requirement for rifle hunters in California, but wearing avest or hat of this bright color is helpful for two reasons. First, there is an added degree of safety when
you can be identified clearly as a human and second
the spot of color allows your companions to keep48

B asic E quipment

track of you more easily, and you to see them. If
you happen to get lost hunter orange will certainly
help someone find you quicker than camouflage,
and that is an important consideration.
footwear. Footwear is crucial, of course.
Here again, the choices are many with some hunters preferring ankle high, lightweight hikers, andothers opting for calf high leather boots of one
design or another. If you can, break in your boots
thoroughly before you hunt with them and don’t
think that just because a new pair fits like a glove
on flat ground that they’ll meet your expectations
in rough terrain. There’s nothing like a steep slope
to start blisters on your feet or make even your
toes hurt like mad.
Questions to ask yourself include, what
type of sole design is best for your needs? Most
hunters go for lug soles and well defined heels
because of steep terrain which may be made ofslippery decomposed granite or covered withobstacles such as rocks or blown down trees
and limbs. Smooth soles will often turn a bedof leaves or pine needles into a dry land ski run
when you least expect it.
Whether or not you’ll want high top
insulated boots, or comparatively lightweight
hikers, may depend on the kind of hunting you
do most. Bowhunters, for instance, are usuallyout during warm weather where foot warmth isnot critical.
Socks are an important part of yourfootwear and there are many brands and types tochoose from. Generally speaking, you’ll want towear two pairs of socks to keep your boots fromrubbing. Sock choice depends on the situation
you’re in at the moment and the way your boots
fit to begin with, but many hunters wear a polypropylene inner sock, which wicks moisture awayfrom the foot, and a wool outer sock for warmthand bulk.
camping gear. Obviously some thought
has to go into setting up a deer camp, if only for aweekend near home. The gear you need for a particular outing depends on how and where you’regoing to camp. For instance, if you plan to stay ina tent you’ll need different gear than a person witha truck camper or travel trailer, even if you are all

You can carry enough items in a daypack to keep hunting all day
long. Robert Waldron photo.

in the same established campground. And a person
who camps out in a more remote, but unimproved
location, has still other considerations. A backpacker, or back country camper with pack stock, has stillother needs.
Plan according to your needs but always be
prepared for a range of different conditions, even if
the weather is favorable at the moment. A go-lightbackpack hunter, with no way to keep himself or
his gear dry during an afternoon thunder shower,
is not going to be thrilled with the experience andthe same goes for staying passably warm on a chilly
morning. Wind, rain, cold, heat and occasionallysnow (not likely but certainly possible in the Sierra
Nevada and higher parts of the northern mountains), all have an undesirable affect if you are notprepared for them.
carry along gear. Any hunter who covers a lot of ground during a day’s hunt will want to49

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

have some necessary goodies in his or her pack tomake things go easier and for the sake of safety. You
should always have certain items on hand, such as
at least a quart of water (especially important during
hot weather to ward off dehydration), a small flashlight with fresh batteries plus extra batteries andbulb (in case darkness closes in before you get backto camp) and snacks (to hold you over in between
meals).
If you aren’t familiar with the area you’re
hunting, a map and compass are good to have, providing you know how to use them together. Takea length of nylon rope, which may come in handy,
and toilet paper. A space blanket can be used asa temporary shelter if, perchance, you get stuck
somewhere and have to stay out all night. For cold,
inclement weather, you need some way to start a firesuch as waterproof matches and a candle. Anotheritem that may be useful is a small first aid kit complete with any medication you need and aspirin. In
some places you should take a snakebite kit along, as
well. Oh, and toss in a short length of string and apen/pencil so you can fill out and attach your deertag.
That may sound like a lot of stuff for a brief
hunt but you can obviously subtract any items you
don’t think you need. You can also add things as
you see fit. For instance, it pays to tote along a gamebag or two if there’s a chance that you’ll have toleave a deer carcass behind while you go for help,
and it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra knife on someoccasions or a roll of bright surveyor’s tape to markyour way back to the deer. When the smell of rain is
in the air a lightweight rain jacket or poncho is also
welcome.
necessities for backpacking. In addition
to many of the items mentioned above a backpack
hunter needs to consider some more stuff. Weightis definitely a major factor here, so the question iswhether or not to carry some sort of tent shelter
along. If the weather reports are favorable, and you
believe them, you can simply spread out a groundcover (to protect your sleeping bag from gravel, pine
pitch and the like) and sleep on the ground.
However, if you’re not the trusting typewhen it comes to weather predictions, and if
you don’t especially like being miserable in an

unexpected rainstorm, take a lightweight tent witha rainfly (about 4 or 5 pounds) or a weatherproof
bivy sack (about 2 pounds). If the rain clouds gather
you’ll be glad you have something more than a fir
tree over your head.
Of course, you’ll want a lightweight, butwarm sleeping bag and, possibly, a single-burnerstove for cooking freeze dried foods. You can get bywith a single pot to cook with on a short outing anda cup and a set of eating utensils will round out the
kitchen. Some backcountry hunters nowadays takewater purification tablets or a filter along to purify
the water they use for drinking while others simply
rely on boiling it before use.
You will probably need a jacket, heavy
sweater or down vest to keep you warm enoughin the morning to hunt effectively, especially if
you’re above 5,000 feet elevation in September.
Above all, remember that you’re hunting for areason and you may have to tote a deer off themountain with you in addition to whatever you
have in the way of gear. That is not an impossible
chore if you are prepared to skin and bone out
your buck on the spot (to reduce its weight asmuch as possible) and if you don’t overload yourself in the first place. Just the same you should be
prepared to make two trips out with your venisonand camping gear depending on your locationand your physical condition.
While we’re at it, here’s something to mull
over. Many hunters prefer to go light, and that’s allright for some circumstances, however stuff happens
sometimes and a short hunt may turn into a night
long ordeal when you least expect it for reasons
you can’t predict. Being prepared is the best policy
whenever you head off into a vast chunk of realestate, especially if it’s roadless, rugged public land.

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chapter 8:

Making the Shot
With a modern high-powered rifle suitable forIf your shot placement is perfect you’ll hit
deer hunting it is possible to shoot effectively at
the deer in the lungs and while it might run away,
a deer hundreds of yards away, depending, of
it won’t usually go more than 100 yards. If thecourse, on the situation at hand. The bullets frombullet is high it may hit the spine, and a bullet thatsome popular deer rifles, sighted-in to strike astrikes low will probably hit the heart. If the bullet
couple inches high at 100 yards, will only be a few
breaks a front shoulder and penetrates the chest,
inches low after flying the length of three football
you’ll still get your deer but will lose some meat. If
fields. In many cases, however, any deer you see
the deer hunches up then walks or bounds away
will be a lot closer. The range of a shot is often
it was probably hit in the paunch. The best bet
dictated by the terrain which may be wide open,
is to shoot again if you can. Otherwise you may
timbered or smothered with brush.
have some real work to do to find the animal. In
Situations vary, to be sure, but there areany event, a deer hit in the spine will drop on thesome points to ponder even before you spot a legal
spot, though it might require a finishing shot, anddeer somewhere and envision your tag on it. Herea deer shot in the heart may run frantically for 50
are a few of them:to 100 yards. Some hunters deliberately aim forthe neck but the target area is small and a bullet
can you get any closer? Bowhunters, ofthat merely passes through flesh without hitting
course, usually try to get within 40 yards of an unthe neck bone may not put the deer down. One
suspecting deer, no matter what kind of terrain.
long-time California archer tells of seeing a deer
While longer shots are made occasionally, somewith a neck wound simply walk away withoutof the best archers simply won’t shoot at a deermore than 30 yards away.
Many rifle hunters also refrainfrom taking extraordinarily longshots if they see any way to getcloser to a distant deer. If they feelthe deer is simply too far away fordecent shot placement, they pass forthe time being and look for anotheropportunity. More power to them.
aiming for a kill. Under general hunting circumstances, the best
way to kill a deer is to aim for thefront third of its body, specifically thearea just behind the front shoulder,roughly halfway between the spine
In a perfect world every shot would be made at a deer standing
and the brisket. That way your bullet
broadside in the open. In actual hunting circumstances a deer may be
can be a bit high or low and still landpartially shielded by cover and angling toward or away from the hunter.
DFG photo.
in the vitals.
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Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

showing obvious signs of a hit. Ideally, a deer you
want to shoot will present a standing broadsidetarget less than 200 yards away. Realistically,
though, there are many variables which work
against such a picture-perfect situation. Under
normal circumstances the animal may, indeed, bebroadside, but there’s a very good chance that it
will be quartering toward or away from you, facing directly away, or looking right at you.
It may also be partially shielded by protective cover of some sort. The question that should
always be asked under these circumstances iswhether or not you should shoot at all. The answer depends on your ability to put your bullet inwhatever vital spot is exposed, and that depends

on your composure and familiarity with yourrifle. In other words, you should shoot your rifle
enough to know that it is accurate before eachseason begins. Otherwise you won’t know if it’s
you or the rifle if you miss a deer, and that bit of
doubt will gnaw at you constantly while you’re
hunting.
aiming straight. While it may be necessary
to shoot offhand at a deer in some situations, mostveteran hunters know the value of using a rest ofsome sort whenever possible. To put it mildly, thehuman body is not a stable shooting platform, anda standing hunter who tries to hit a deer a couple
hundred yards away will learn that in a hurry. For
that reason when you see a deer that you want toshoot, it is far better to rest your rifle against a tree
trunk, across a branch or a rock, or on some othersolid object. Cushion the front end with your hand,
hat, day pack, or whatever, and it will shoot almost
as accurately as it does from a bench rest. Some
hunters carry a built-in rest with them in the formof folding shooting sticks that attach to their rifles.
If you don’t have shooting sticks and can’t
find a natural rest, quickly assume a sitting, prone,or kneeling position to steady yourself to somedegree. Most hunters feel at least a twinge of excitement in the presence of a legal buck and a rest
also helps to overcome or moderate nervousness.
Remember, too, that no one is twisting your arm to
make you shoot. A chancy shot is usually not worth
the gamble.
Of course, there is the question of

A wise hunter recognizes the importance of using arest whenever possible to make a shot. Robert Waldron photo.

The next best thing to using a rest is to shootfrom a prone or sitting position. John Higley photo.

To ensure a quick, humane kill, a hunter must place his or her shotin a deer's vital organs which lay in the front third of its body.

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M aking the S hot

Even if you think a deer is dead, approach it carefully and makesure before you put your rifle down.
John Higley photo.

shooting at a deer on the run. Should you or
shouldn’t you? That depends on a variety ofcircumstances including your shooting ability,
the range involved, and the amount of cover
between you and the deer. Always be sure ofyour target and beyond, a very difficult task whenshooting at a running deer. Some innovative
hunters solve the movement problem occasionally by blowing on a deer call, which will often
stop either a buck or doe in its tracks. There areseveral so-called deer calls on the market but the
one you need is the type that duplicates the bleatof a fawn in distress. It’s worth a try.
watch and listen. After the shot a deer
may simply vanish, as if hit by lightning, or it may
react by running away. In the former case, theanimal was probably knocked off its feet even before
you recovered from the rifle’s recoil and refocused
your eyes on its position. Before you celebrate,mentally mark the spot where you last saw the deer,
especially if it was some distance away. Look for aparticular tree, a pile of rocks or another landmarkthat you can keep your eye on while you close in.
That way, finding the deer usually won’t be difficult
even if it was 300 yards distant.
Before you move, though, watch the spot
for a few minutes just in case the deer gets up
again. Never assume the animal is dead until
you’re standing over the carcass.

When a deer bolts instantly and you know
it’s hit, it may very well be making a death run. If
you can see the animal, watch it until it falls andthen mark that spot so you can get to it quickly. If
it runs out of sight, listen for any unusual noise andyou may hear the deer crash blindly through thebrush or blowdowns, a sign that it’s mortally wounded. You might even hear it drop.
confirm your shot. A hunter owes it tohimself and the deer to follow up every shot, including the questionable ones that you might write off
too quickly as misses. Again, note the spot where
the deer was standing, walking or running when
you fired, then go to that spot and double-check.
Ask yourself, is there any blood, hair or other evidence of a hit? Can you see where the bullet struck
the ground or plowed into something else such as arock or a branch? Only when you are satisfied thatyou missed clean, should you continue hunting.
tracking a wounded deer.
Unfortunately, not all shots kill instantly. At sometime during your hunting career you may wounda deer that escapes momentarily only to die later.
That sort of thing will haunt any thoughtful hunter.
On the other hand, if you make every effort torecover the animal you may succeed in doing so. If
you don’t find the deer, at least you know you madean honest effort and looking in the mirror later
won’t be as difficult.
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Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

First, go to where the deer was when
you shot and look for anything that will indicate where the animal was hit. If you find frothy
blood, it may be a lung shot and the deer won’t
be far away. Bright red blood indicates a muscle
wound, which may or may not be superficial, andstomach material means the deer was hit in thepaunch. In the case of the latter example, it may
be best to wait awhile and let the deer bed down
before going after it. Otherwise some rifle hunters believe it’s a good idea to go after a woundeddeer quickly before the effects of your shot wear
off.
Bowhunters, of course, face a different situation and many of them prefer to leave an animalalone for up to an hour before going after it, even if
they think the deer is hit in a vital spot. An arrow
does not shock like a bullet, but it does continue tocause hemorrhaging as long as it remains in place.
If you find even a small amount of blood
where the deer was standing when you shot, by allmeans make every effort to follow it to the animal.
Get down on hands and knees, if necessary, andlook for drops or splashes of blood on the ground,leaves, weeds and brush. Be sure to mark each spotof blood with surveyor's tape, toilet paper, or something else as you go so you can retrace the path andstart again, should you lose the trail accidentally.
Remember, not all wounds cause

extensive bleeding but some are fatal anyway.
When all else fails, make loops around the path
you think the deer took so you can cover moreground thoroughly, and always be alert for awounded animal that is ready to try to escapeagain. Use your binoculars from a vantage point
in open terrain and you may spot the deer lying
dead in the timber or brush.
approaching your deer. Okay, the deer isdefinitely down. Now what? Obviously, you’ve got
to move in and start working on the animal. First,
however, you’ve got to make sure that it is dead. If
possible, approach the deer from behind or the side,
and either toss a small pebble at it or touch it withyour rifle barrel to see if there’s any reaction. Some
hunters touch its eye with a stick or their rifle barrel
just to make sure, but don’t lean over and use yourhand because that puts you in a vulnerable position
should the deer only be stunned.
If the animal’s eyes are closed or if theyblink, be aware because the deer is still alive. You
may have to shoot it again to finish it, so be alert
and ready to do so. Aim for the heart, lungs, orneck. Remember, though, a neck shot is only agood idea if you have no other choice and if you do
not plan to have the deer mounted. Some hunters
have been known to try to bleed a still-living deer
by cutting its neck. That’s an extremely dangerous
and foolish thing to do—and it’s unnecessary. There
will be more on the subject of
cutting the neck in the fielddressing section in chapternine.

A buck running away offers only apoor shot at best. John Higley photo.

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M aking the S hot

chapter 9:After the Shot
Congratulations, you’ve made a good shot andthe deer is dead. Now, as the saying goes, the work
begins. First, however, unload your gun, set it aside
in a safe place, fill out your tag properly and put it on
the animal (remember, also, to return the report card
portion of your tag to the DFG if you kill a deer).
All right, you’re ready to start the chores at hand.
Bear in mind that different hunters often approachsimilar things in different ways. But no matter how
you perform the following tasks, the idea is to field
dress your deer, get it back to camp or home,and render the carcass into edible meat.
If nothing else, a hunter should takepride in the care of a deer by keeping the meatas clean and fresh as possible in the field. Your
good care of the meat will impress the mostjaded butcher and it will be reflected in thefinished product that eventually reaches yourtable. Okay, let's roll up our sleeves and getbusy with the following subjects.
field dressing. The concept here issimple—remove the deer’s entrails so the carcass
can cool and the meat won’t spoil. Basicallythis means making a cut from the pelvic area
to the sternum (breastbone) and removing
everything inside. Some hunters start by cutting a deer’s neck to bleed it but this step isunnecessary. When shot, most deer bleed internallyand the blood comes out during the gutting process. Cutting the neck also leaves a scar that will bevisible if you plan to have the deer mounted. The
actual field-dressing process only takes a few minutes once you know the routine. Here’s one way togo about it.
1. Position the deer on its back with its headpointed uphill if there’s at least a slight slope. (OnThe first thing to do after you harvest a deer is
to fill out your tag correctly and attach it to theanimal. John Higley photo.

55

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

really steep ground you may want to tie the animal
in place with a short length of rope).
2. With a buck, start by cutting the penis andscrotum away from the body to where the penis
emerges from the pelvis (some hunters simply cut
the organ off at this point—others leave it attacheduntil later in the field-dressing process).

3. Next, using a sharp, thin knife blade, make a
cut around the anus about three inches deep, following the pelvic channel carefully with the blade,and taking care not to puncture the bladder.

If possible, position a deer with its head pointed slightly uphill,as this hunter has done, to make field dressing easier.

note:

If you do puncture the bladder, don’t
panic. Most of the liquid (urine) will be flushed
out with the blood and you can clean the entire
carcass thoroughly when you get the meat to campor home, if you live close-by. Incidentally, this stepis made easier if you have a friend pull the hind legs
forward to lift the rear end slightly off the ground.
If you’re alone, you can still perform the task but it
will be a bit more awkward.

Start field dressing a buck by cutting the sex organs away fromthe body.

4. Now make a short, shallow cut through theabdominal wall just above the pelvis, being careful
not to slice into the intestines. Insert the index andmiddle fingers of your free hand into the opening and use them to lift the skin and depress theintestines as you make a cut to the breastbone. It
is important not to cut the hide any farther if you
intend to have the head mounted (see the section
on taxidermy tips that follows).

After cutting around the anus make a shallow cut through theabdominal wall. Then, using the index and second fingers of yourright (or left) hand, lift the skin and depress the intestines as you
make a cut to the breastbone.

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A fter the S hot

5. Next, note the thin wall of muscle, called thediaphragm, that separates the intestines from theheart and lungs. Cut it free from the rib cage andreach far enough into the cavity to grasp the windpipe and esophagus with your free hand. Beingvery careful with your knife, lest you cut yourself,
reach in and sever them.

Next reach in and cut away the thin wall of muscle that restrains
the intestines–but be careful lest you cut yourself in the process.

6. Now you’re ready to pull the intestines out
and onto the ground behind the deer, or you canlay the deer on its side and roll the innards out thatway. If you’ve reamed the pelvic area properly, theanus, bladder, and bowel should come loose, too.

After the intestines are out, and if they are undamaged, cut away
the heart (shown here) and liver, and set them aside.

7. If you want to save them, remove the heart
and liver from the viscera mass and lay them aside
on a clean rock or bush (later you can carry themout in a plastic bag but take them out of the bag incamp to let them cool). Then lift the deer by thefront end and let the remaining blood pour out theback. Field dressing is now complete.
getting your deer to camp.

Some hunters will do practically anything to get an animal out
Next, pull the intestines out and onto the ground behind the deer,or roll the animal on its side and roll the innards out.
Photos by John Higley

57

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

This hunter has boned out his deer, and is packing only themeat and antlers back to camp with a sturdy pack frame.
John Higley photo.

the load. With your knife cut around the carcass
between the third and fourth ribs (counting from therear forward), and sever the spine where the vertebrae join. Then you can make a pack out of the hindquarters by cutting handholds between the tendonsand bone. 		
Either tote one-half out at a time or leapfrog
the load, moving one half a hundred yards or so andgoing back for the other. You will not stay clean doing this, incidentally, but that’s not the main consideration here. Most of the meat will still be protectedby the hide, and whatever dirt accumulates can be
washed off and trimmed away later.
As was mentioned in chapter seven, there arewhole and that usually means dragging the deer overhill and dale, sometimes for hours on end. There’s
nothing wrong with that approach but the magazine
photographs you see of a stout hunter dragging adeer along by one antler are just a wee bit deceptive.
Don’t try that on steep or rocky ground! If you mustdrag a deer, get a buddy to share the load. Make thejob easier for both of you by using a simple two-man
deer drag to lessen the pain. There are several typesof drag cables with hand grips on the market andthey do help with the chore.

Some small deer canbe packed out whole.
John Higley photo.

note: If you plan to drag your deer, to move it to aroad or camp, you can ward off some of the dirt thatwould otherwise get inside the body cavity. Simply
take a couple of stitches in the open belly skin and tie
it together with pieces of string or rope.
Of course, there are other ways to get yourdeer from point A to point B. Sometimes a stout
hunter can carry a deer out on his back, either
draped across his shoulders or tied to a pack frame.
Anytime you put a deer, or part of one on your back,for safety's sake be sure to cover a portion of theanimal with a hunter orange garment.
Despite the attitude of some hunters, deer do
not have to be removed whole, and there are times
when they simply can’t be moved very far in one
piece. If the deer is in a really bad spot, one alternative to dragging is simply to cut it in half to lessen

times when a backpacking deer hunter should know
how to process his deer on the spot in order to pack
it out. Depending on the size of the deer, you may
choose to simply quarter the animal and pack out thepieces that way, or you can skin and bone it out completely, reducing your load significantly. Completely
boned, a buck that weighed 140 pounds alive willproduce around 60 pounds of boned meat. You add
to your load with the weight of the cape and head.
Another option is to skin the head and saw the skull
plate off, leaving the antlers intact.
The idea, of course, is to save the usable58

A fter the S hot

These hunters are using a deer drag to move their buck back tocamp. Durwood Hollis photo.

and continue your cut up the neck to the throat. Remove the rest of the windpipe and prop the ribs open
to hasten cooling. Then split the pelvic bone with asmall saw or hatchet and make sure the channel isclean. Remember there is no specific order that you
must follow to perform these acts. You can develop
your own routine.
Some hunters like to skin their deer as soon
as it’s hanging. Others prefer to leave the skin on
as long as the deer is in camp. Generally, though,it’s a good idea to skin your deer promptly if theweather is warm because that will allow the meat
to cool quicker. When it’s cold, leaving the hide on
won’t make that much difference and it’s actually
better if you intend to age the meat (see chapterten). In any event, the skinning process isn’t thatdifficult and it’s easiest when the deer is warm (alsosee “Pesky Critters” in this chapter).
If the deer is hanging head up, start fromthe neck and work down. If it is hanging nose
down, start by skinning the hindquarters and work
forward from there. Incidentally, your job will beeasier if you skin the rear legs enough to expose themeat, the antlers, and perhaps the cape while discarding the skeleton, skull, bloodshot meat, and unwanted portion of the hide.
If you think you might be in a situation that
calls for processing a deer where it lays, it is a goodidea to carry along a breathable cloth game bag or
two, some small diameter nylon rope, a couple ofplastic garbage bags or a small tarp, and a small
game saw. As you bone the meat, place the chunks
in a bag to protect them from flies, keep them clean,
and let them cool off. Once cool, you can wrap themeat in a tarp and lash it directly to your pack frameor place it in a plastic garbage bag and haul it out
in your pack bag. To minimize the risk of spoiling,
remove the meat from the plastic bag as soon as you
reach your vehicle or camp.
in camp. When you get the deer to camp,hang the carcass either by the head or by the Achilles
tendons in the rear legs. You can use a stout stick or agambrel for this. If the head is not to be mounted, slit
the sternum with a knife (some hunters use a small
meat saw for this but it’s easy to cut through thecartilage beside the sternum where the ribs connect)

This hunter is skinning his buck in camp. Durwood Hollis photo.

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Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

Achilles tendons before you hang the carcass. That’s
also a good time to remove the lower legs below
the hocks, which leaves the tendons intact. You’ll
want to remove the front legs at the knees, as well.
No matter which direction you go, from front-toback or back-to-front, the skinning process is muchthe same. For this illustration we’ll start with thehindquarters.
Assuming you’ve already cut the lower hindlegs off, slit the skin down the inside of each hindleg to the open belly. Then slice the skin down theback of the front legs and angle the cut to meet theincision you made for field dressing. Skin out thehams, severing the tail bone, and begin skinningthe back. Now grasp the skin with one hand, andpull and push it down the back and sides with yourfist. Use your knife whenever the going gets tough.
Keep skinning until you reach the upperneck and then cut the muscle all around the neck at
the base of the head, cutting as deep as your knife
will go. Then have a friend hold the carcass in position while you twist the head until it breaks loose
from the body.
Once you have the deer completely skinned,
cut away any bloodshot meat and damaged tissue
around the bullet wound, and wipe down the body

cavity with a damp rag if it’s not yet clean. If there
is a lot of dirt, hair, or spilled bladder or stomach
contents, it’s a good idea to wash the whole carcass
off with a hose if you have one handy. If not, at least
wipe the carcass down with a wet rag and clean themeat as much as possible that way. Water, even lotsof it, won’t hurt anything as long as the meat is thenallowed to dry before it’s transported or hung in acooler.
keeping your deer in camp. In cold weather, keeping your deer in camp is not a problem.
Simply hang it on a “meat pole” in a shady spot andit will keep for days without spoiling. However, if
the nights are cool and the days warm hang the deer
only at night and put it in a cool place during theday. Wrap it in a tarp and cover it with your sleeping bag to keep the temperature down. If it’s warm
all night, quarter the animal and put the meat intoa large cooler or better yet, take it home or to a meat
locker right away.
note: In warm weather, any deer carcass hang-ing, with or without skin, should be protected witha fly-proof game bag of some sort. Quality storebought game bags are perfect but some cheap, lightweight cheesecloth bags tend to rip and tear easily.
Just make sure that air can circulate through the bag
used on your deer—that, of course, rules out plastic.
To help deter flies, wipe the carcass down with asolution of vinegar and water.
getting your deer home. Ultimately you
have to get your deer home, and like everything else
connected with deer hunting there are many ways
to accomplish the task. A lot depends on how far
you have to go, how warm it is, what kind of vehicle
you have to transport the carcass, and whether the
animal is in one piece or cut up. It is important not
to put the meat close to a heat source such as the
motor, the bottom of an automobile trunk, or a
pickup truck bed which can transmit warmth fromthe drive train. Instead, put the meat on top of
something such as a foam mat protected by a tarp. If
it’s a hot day, cover the carcass with bedding to keep
it cool while you travel.
pesky critters. There’s one aspect ofAn important part of the meat preparation process involves
cutting away as much bloodshot tissue as possible.
John Higley photo.

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A fter the S hot

handling a dead deer that hasn’t yet been covered.
That’s the presence of parasites that all deer have tosome degree, and the ever-present yellowjackets (ormeat bees) that seem to come from miles around topester you while you work. Yellowjackets are a real
pain on warm days when they are apt to be very
numerous—especially if you happen to be near a nest
without knowing it. During cool weather you may
not see even one.
What can you do about yellowjackets?
Unfortunately, not very much. Most experienced
hunters just work around them and try not to crush
one accidentally or strike out at them, thus prompting painful stings.
Ticks and fleas are another matter. Some

Ked

&

Tick

deer have a lot of them, some have only a few.
Regardless, one advantage of skinning your deer while it’s
still warm is that you will automatically dispose of these“critters” at the same time. Once the hide is cold theparasites look for another warm-blooded host andthat could easily be you.
Also present on deer are keds. Keds are tick
look-alikes that pose no threat to humans. Keds
are usually bigger than ticks, and they move faster.
They feed on blood and they are host-specific. In
other words, if you find them on deer, that’s the
only animal on which they will feed. Ticks areanother matter altogether. If you pick up a tick froma deer, chances are it will look for a soft, moist placeon your body and dig in. That is not an appealing
prospect as some ticks are known to spread disease
to humans. Worst of the lot these days is probably
Ixodes pacificus, a pinhead-size tick that is known tocarry Lyme disease.
Not every Ixodes tick bite will result in Lyme
disease, of course. However, no tick bite is all thatpleasant either. No matter how carefully you workaround a deer, you may acquire some ticks and theobject is to get rid of them promptly. If you finda tick crawling on you, simply brush it off. If you
find one already attached, grasp it at the point of
attachment and pull it off, being careful not tosqueeze the body or break part of the head off inyour skin which can result in infection. Use clean
tweezers if you have them.
Whenever you’re in potential tick country,
whether you handle a deer or not, you’re apt to
get ticks on your body. The best bet is to takea few minutes at the end of each day and do abody search, removing any ticks as soon as you
find them.
what's that? Every once in awhile ahunter will notice that a deer has some strange
wart-like growths somewhere on its body or someeven stranger larva-like tubes in its nose. The
first question that comes to mind is, I wonder if
the meat is bad? Well, there are a lot of unsightly
things that afflict deer and every other living thing
for that matter, and no, most of them do not affectthe meat.
The tube-like things in a deer’s nose areprobably botfly larvae which are about to be
expelled from the body. They don’t look good toyou, and probably didn’t feel good to the deer—
but they won’t hurt you. Neither will the unsightly growths, which are caused by some sortof virus. Called papillomas, they are not known
to be transmittable to humans.
Most hunters will not encounter suchthings in a lifetime of deer hunting, but if you do,remember they are normally not a cause for concern when it comes to eating the venison.
note: In a rare case, a deer might be very sickand heavily infested with any number of things. If
you are really concerned, report your kill to a DFG
biologist or game warden as soon as possible andhave it inspected.

taxidermy tips. If you want to havea head-and-shoulder mount made of your buck,
you will have to revise some of the things you
read in the previous sections. First, do not cut thesternum and remove the windpipe until you have61

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

removed the cape. Instead, cut the hide around the
body a few inches behind the front legs. Make yourcuts from the inside-out, taking care not to cut anddamage hair. Next, make a straight cut up the backof the neck to the base of the head and skin out
the front half of the deer. You can then remove thehead, leaving as little of the neck attached as possible. You should now have the head, with the capeattached, separated from the rest of the body.
What you do with the cape and head now
depends on which options are open to you. Here aresome basic do’s and don’ts of cape care:
1. As was noted earlier in the section on field
dressing, do not cut a deer’s throat to bleed it. If theanimal is dead, nothing will be accomplished, and if
it’s not dead it’s a very dangerous thing to do. In any
event, cutting the neck will ruin the cape.
2. Do not drag the deer across rough groundbecause the hair will rub off in spots and patching
is not always possible.
3. For a head-and-shoulder mount, leave plentyof hide for the taxidermist. Cut the skin around the
body several inches behind the front shoulders.
Proper cuts for caping.

4. If you’re going right home you can just put
the cape, head attached, in the freezer or take it
directly to a taxidermist. Freezing is also the best
idea if the weather is warm. A frozen hide will keep
for months.
5. If you can’t get the cape to a taxidermist or
put in a freezer right away, you have some extra
work to do. If you know how, by all means skin out
the head at this time. Then remove all of the flesh
from the hide. Spread out the hide and liberally salt
it with a couple pounds of fine store-bought salt.
Remember, salting on top of flesh does no good.
Salt the hide two or three times over a couple ofdays, then roll it up and keep it cool. Do not store
it in a plastic bag where air cannot circulate. Do nottie the rolled cape with wire as the hair will be damaged. Do not attempt to dry the cape in the sun ornear a fire.

6. Before you salt the cape, wash it if it’s bloody.
A bath won’t hurt anything and it may improve thequality of the mount later.
7. If you can, learn how to skin out a head bypracticing on game you don’t intend to mount. A
taxidermist may be able to give you some pointers—
especially when it comes to turning the ears andlips, which may be necessary for a prolonged stay incamp.
photographing your deer. Most hunters
tote some sort of camera along on their hunts thesedays. There are many types available, from small
point-and-shoot, viewfinder cameras to 35mm single
lens reflex cameras, with an elaborate array of lenses
and setting selections for almost every situation. No

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When you photograph yourdeer, think about the final
results and try different positions. John Higley photo.

matter how simple or complex the photographic
outfit you have, though, the resulting photos still
depend on your approach to taking them.
It is unfortunate that so many hunters film
their deer in a haphazard manner. Not everyone
thinks like a professional photographer, of course,
but if your game is to be recorded on film andshown proudly to anyone who will take a look,an attempt at displaying the game tastefully will
give eye -pleasing dividends that will paint you as
a caring individual with real respect for his or her
quarry.
For that reason, this will not be a discussion about the best cameras or film for this use andthat, but rather a look at photographing yourself
and your game in ways that will result in pleasingslides or prints. Pictures should not cause squeamish
individuals to flee from your presence after a mere
glance at your treasured photo album.
While important, how you pose your own
deer is ultimately not as crucial as exactly what
you display in the final picture. For example, if
the animal’s nose and mouth are bloody or fullof dirt, why not try to wipe them clean before
taking a picture? A rag or paper towels, and alittle water from your canteen, often makes all thedifference. The used cloth or paper towels canthen be placed in a plastic bag and disposed oflater. Often a dead deer’s tongue hangs out of its
mouth, and that isn’t a pleasant sight. Push it backin if possible. Otherwise remove it.
When you photograph your deer or afriend’s, place the animal in natural surroundings
if possible. The bed of a pickup truck, or the oilstained floor of a garage, doesn’t do much for theaesthetics of the finished product. Try folding thedeer’s legs under the body (not always necessary, ofcourse) and find an angle that won’t show major
wounds. If the animal has been field dressed, try
shooting photos from the front or hide a portion of
the body behind some natural barrier such as a low
shrub, rocks, or a mound of soil. Make sure the pileof entrails and any other distracting items, are outof the photo.
To emphasize a buck’s antlers, try sitting
behind rather than in front of the animal. Take carethat the tines contrast with the background wellenough to be seen clearly. Don’t hold the antlers insuch a way that the rack is hiding your face or a tine
appears to be poking your eye(s), nose or mouth.
Do take several photos and do try different poses. If the weather is nice, photograph thedeer in the sunlight, and if your face is in shadow,tilt your hat back or take it off so your eyes willshow. If shadows are still a problem and you
have a flash attachment on hand, use it to fill inthe dark spots. If you have an adjustable camera,
bracket your shots one stop in either direction for
insurance, no matter what the built-in light metersays. Instead of three or four photos, go ahead
63

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

This hunter has a photo of his prize worth framing. John Higley photo.

and shoot half a roll of film while you have theopportunity. Move in close for full-frame shots,then move back a bit and shoot more film. Extra
photos won’t cost that much and chances aregood that one of your pictures will be better than
the rest.
It is a hassle, but even if you’re alone you can
do a fair job of picture taking, if you happen to havea small tripod on hand and a camera with a timed
shutter-release. For tripod photos, stand some sticks
up where you plan to kneel or sit, and look at themthrough the viewfinder to check height and makesure you’re not going to cut something importantout of the shot—like your head or half the buck’s
antlers.
Deer are always easier to film when they’refresh and pliable. Immediate on-site photos are
not always possible, however, especially if thekill is made just before dark. Even if you have to
move the animal, or hang it, you can take decent
photos the following day—if you take the time to
put the deer into a pleasing position wherever it
is, in the field, camp, or sometimes even at home.

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chapter 10:

Venison on the Table
To get venison ready for the table, some hunters
prefer to debone, cut and wrap their own meat,
while others simply let a butcher do the final
preparation for them. There’s nothing wrong witheither approach. If you want to do it yourself you
can get instructions from videos, books or, perhaps, a willing friend. Before you start rendering
the meat into usable portions, though, there is
one other thing to consider. That’s the questionof aging deer meat. Let's take care of that subject
right now.
should you age your venison? Shortly
after a deer dies, its muscles contract with rigor
mortis which causes toughening of the meat. The
aging process allows certain enzymes to break downsome of the complex proteins in the muscle and, up
to a point, that usually results in better flavor andtenderness. Under ideal conditions, when a deer iskilled and chilled promptly, it can be aged at temperatures between 34 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit(F) for about 7 days before it’s cut and wrapped.
Preferably, this kind of aging is done with the hideon, or in a cooler with high humidity, to minimize
drying during the process. In lieu of other facilities, some hunters simply age their skinned venison
quarters on a shelf in a refrigerator.
Seldom, however, are ideal conditions present in the Golden State, where most deer hunting isdone in warm weather. Unless it is taken to a cooler
immediately, a deer killed here usually ages very
rapidly in the field. Aging is fast if the temperature
is above 40 degrees F, and a deer held at 65 degrees
F for one day has already aged long enough, according to a University of Wyoming study on aging big
game. The study shows clearly that a deer-size big game
animal should NOT be aged if it was shot during warm
weather and not chilled rapidly, if gunshot areas areextensive, and if the animal was severely stressed prior
to the kill. Meat that is to be ground or made intosausage of some sort should not be aged, either.
venison as nutritious food. Without
going into the subject of nutrition in detail, let's justsay that venison trimmed of fat compares favorablywith very lean beef as a source of protein in the human diet. The cholesterol content of domestic andwild meat is about the same across the board.
The conclusion of a study conducted by the
University of Wyoming, states, “Overall, game meatand range-grazed beef are slightly lower in fat thangrain-fed beef. However, when the outside fat is
trimmed, and portion size is controlled, all of thesemeats can fit into a fat-reduced, balanced, diet.”
Of course, there are no additives in gamemeat because it is produced naturally in non-domestic circumstances, and that fact also appeals to mosthunters.
the uses of venison. There are many uses
for venison and you can find some way to utilize
all of the edible meat. Roasts, steaks and chops are
standard cuts, of course, but some venison can also
be used as stew meat, ground meat, or made into
jerky, salami or sausage. The heart and liver often
provide traditional camp dinners but they can easily
be served at home.
Generally speaking, you can make steaks
and roasts from the rump and hindquarter meat,
blade roasts from the front shoulders and chops
from the backstrap (or loin). Neck meat, shank meatand trimmed meat scraps can be ground for sausage
or hamburger, made into salami or utilized as stew
meat. Meat trimmed from the ribs can be groundor used as soup stock. Jerky is best when made fromthe same cuts that are normally used for rump roastor steaks. If you decide to butcher your own meat, as
65

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia
For a color poster andinstruction manual call:
The Home Butch'r Shop, Gordon Gribling, Jr.,
5570 S.W. McVey,
P.O. Box 1043,
Redmond, OR 97756,
1.800.637.9002

many California deerhunters do, there arebooks, videos and pamphlets on the subject thatare most helpful. Someof them are listed in the
appendix.
the taste ofvenison. There aresome simple tricks
that are worth noting when it comesto cooking venison.
Some hunters likevenison as is but
many prefer to trim
the meat of ALL fat
before cooking. It’s
well known that whatsome people thinkof as an undesirable“wild” taste is usuallyconcentrated in thefat. Remove everything white and a delicious, mild piece of meat
will remain—even if themeat is from a late season buck that might be in thethroes of the annual rut.
For really mild meat, some game cooks soak
their venison in cold water for about an hour todraw off some of the remaining blood before cooking. They pat the meat dry then go ahead and fix it
as planned. Most cooks don’t bother with soaking
and simply prepare it as is. Again, it’s up to the individual and in any event it is fun to experiment fromtime to time and try new things.
As you might imagine, there are all sorts ofoptions for stove-top cooking, and the same goesfor roasting, making stews (let your imagination
guide you) or barbecuing. The recipes herein were
donated by real hunters who like to prepare venison meals several times a month. The recipes area small sampling of the possibilities—but they will
give you some good ideas to start with.
66

V enison on the T able

Serves 4.

Simple Venison with Mushrooms
2 to 3 small steaks per person, cut 1/2 inch thick,and trimmed of all fat
1/2 stick butter or margarine (4 Tbsp.)
2 cloves garlic, diced
Pepper and salt to taste
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced (optional)
1/2 cup fresh, sliced mushrooms per person
1/8 to 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
Flour
1 cup water (approximately)

Melt half the butter or margarine in a large
skillet. Saute mushrooms, garlic, and onion, andset aside. Tenderize meat with a mallet, and season
lightly with salt and pepper. Dredge meat in flourand brown in the rest of the butter or oil. Remove
meat from pan and add the wine (optional) andwater to make light gravy. For thicker gravy, mix
about a tablespoon of flour with a small amount ofwater and stir the paste into the sauce. Season gravy
to taste. Return the meat, mushrooms and onion to
the pan and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes
or until done. Serves 3 or 4.

Many good meals, like this hearty stew, begin with venison.
John Higley photo.

Real Hunter's Venison Quiche
1 deep-dish 9-inch frozen pie shell
1 lb. ground venison
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. sage
1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 eggs1 can evaporated milk
olive oil
4 servings of cooked rice or noodles

Fancy Venison Picatta
1-1/2 lbs. venison backstrap, trimmed and sliced
across the grain into 1/4 inch steaks
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tbsp. salt
1/2 tbsp. seasoned pepper
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh snipped parsley
2 tbsp. capers, drained

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Let pie shellreach room temperature, then prick bottom andsides with a fork. Bake until crust begins to brown—
about 5 minutes. Brown venison, onions, garlic andseasonings in large skillet (add olive oil if necessary
to keep from burning). When cool, spoon mixture
into pie shell and pat lightly. Sprinkle mushrooms
and cheese evenly on top. Beat eggs and milk until
blended and pour over top. Bake 20 minutes oruntil set, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake
until top is golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let
stand and cool for 10 minutes, cut into wedges.

Mix flour with salt and pepper, and dredge
venison slices in it. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add venison and brownon both sides. Add wine and simmer for 2 to 3
minutes. Using a slotted spatula or spoon, transfer venison slices to a platter and keep warm in
the oven. Add remaining ingredients to skillet.
Cook mixture on medium heat for approximately
3 minutes, stirring constantly, and scraping the67Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

sides and bottom of the pan. Serve sauce overvenison slices. Serves 3 or 4.

hours. About 45 minutes before done, add remaining sour cream. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve overrice or noodles. Serves 4.

Green Chile Stew

Anything Goes Stew

1 lb. venison stew meat
1 can diced green chilies (7 oz.)
1 can kidney beans (15 oz.)
2 cans peeled tomatoes (16 oz. ea.)
1 can pinto beans (15 oz.)
1 cup flour
4 cloves garlic, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1 tsp. pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

1-1/2 lbs. venison stew meat, cubed and trimmedof fat6 to 8 medium potatoes, pared and cubed
5 large carrots, pared and sliced into rounds
1-1/2 medium yellow onions, sliced and quartered
1 handful diced bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tsp. rosemary leaves
1 tsp. sweet basil
1 tsp. oregano leaves
6 whole cloves
1 tbsp. Kitchen Bouquet (optional)
Any other seasonings you like
Salt and pepper to taste
Flour, oil, water

Cut meat into 3/4" chunks and dredge inflour. In a Dutch oven or large skillet, saute garlic in
olive oil until golden; add meat and brown. Reduceheat and add remaining ingredients. Simmer 1hour, stirring occasionally. Serves 4.

Simple Venison Marinade

Brown meat in oil in large Dutch oven or
similar deep pot. Add water to cover, toss in someonion, the garlic, cloves, and other seasonings.
Simmer gently for 1 hour or longer (meat shouldbe tender). Add more water if needed (level should
be a couple inches above meat). Mix some flour andwater into a paste. Add enough to thicken the juice
into light gravy. Add Kitchen Bouquet. Taste to
make sure you’re satisfied, then add vegetables andsimmer until tender, stirring occasionally. Serves
4—twice.

1/4 cup white wine
1 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
4 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Prior to barbecuing inch-thick venison steaks,
try marinading them in this mixture for at least 5
hours. Then barbecue steaks over hot coals about 5
minutes per side. The meat should still be pink (butnot raw) in the middle.

Venison Stroganoff
1 lb. venison, cubed
1/2 cup flour, seasoned with salt and seasoned
pepper1 large yellow onion, sliced
1/2 cup red table wine
4 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup (8 oz)
1/2 cup whole milk
2 cups sour cream

Clearly, venison meals can be as simple oras fancy as you desire. The main thing is not tobe snowed by complicated recipes that indicatethat you have to use only this or that ingredient inspecific amounts. Let your imagination guide you
and you won’t be disappointed. Venison is good
food, made all the more enjoyable if you are responsible for acquiring it through the challenging
act of hunting.

Dredge venison in seasoned flour. In a
medium skillet, brown venison and onion in olive
oil. Add wine and simmer 10 minutes. Place meat,
onion and wine in a large pot or crock pot. Add
mushrooms, celery, mushroom soup, milk, and one
cup sour cream; mix thoroughly. Simmer for 2 or 3
68

V enison on the T able

chapter 11:

Safety and Ethics
Contrary to some views, hunting
is one of the safest types of outdoor
recreation, ranking even lower on the
injury scale than baseball or tennis.
That said, hunters recognize that evena single accident involving firearms is
one too many. To make hunting evensafer, the California Department ofFish and Game requires that all resident first-time hunters, regardless ofage, complete hunter safety trainingor pass a comprehensive equivalency
test before purchasing a hunting
license.
There are three major causesof hunting accidents: hunter judgment, safety violations, and lack of skill or
aptitude. Most accidents involve oneself or acompanion, and nearly all can be attributed tocarelessness. Responsible hunters always observe
the ten commandments of shooting safety which
are listed on the following page.

Doing things in a safe manner is always important
while hunting deer or any other game. John Higley photo.

In reality, the commandments are only
telling you to use common sense in the handling of
firearms.
While most of the following rules do not apply to archery gear, the fact is that bowhunters mustbe just as careful as rifle hunters in many ways.
Broadheads are inherently sharp and they must be
protected in a proper quiver where the heads are
not exposed. A bowhunter should not have an arrow nocked on the string until a shot is imminent,
nor should a bow be drawn when someone is in
front of the archer. Additionally, always hoist yourbow and arrows into a tree stand with a length ofrope—after you’re settled in place and have yoursafety harness connected. Obviously, you must nevertake a questionable shot with an arrow as it can bejust as lethal to another human as a bullet.

California's hunter safety course requirement for all first-timehunters has made a basically safe sport even safer.
John Higley photo.

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Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

Ten Commandments of Shooting Safety
1. Always control the direction of your firearm’s muzzle. Carry your firearm safely, keeping the safety on until you’re ready to shoot. Keep your finger off the trigger until
you’re ready to shoot.
2. Identify your target and what is beyond it (for instance, don’t shoot at a deer on top of aridge with nothing to stop the bullet’s flight if you miss). Know the identifying features of the game you hunt.
3. Always treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
4. Always be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions before you hunt. This isalso true during the hunt if the barrel accidentally comes into contact with the ground,snow, mud, etc. Use the proper ammunition for the firearm you are carrying.
5. Unload firearms when not in use. Firearms should be carried empty in transit to andfrom shooting areas.
6. Never point a firearm at anything you do not want to shoot. Do not use a rifle scope
as a binocular to identify an object that you are not sure of. You may be pointing yourrifle at another human. Avoid all horseplay with firearms.
7. Never climb a fence or tree, jump a ditch or log, or traverse otherwise difficult terrain
with a loaded firearm. Never pull a firearm toward you by the muzzle.
8. During practice make sure your backstop is adequate. Never shoot a bullet at water or aflat, hard surface.
9. Store firearms and ammunition separately beyond the reach of children or carelessadults.
10. Avoid alcoholic beverages or other mood-altering drugs before hunting or while shooting.

Even hunters using archery equipment must always put safety first.
File photo70

S afety and E thics

Hunters are constantly faced with ethicalquestions in the field, and usually they’re alone
and have no audience to approve or disapproveof their actions. It is difficult to regulate ethics bylaw so it is largely up to the individual to decide
what is and what is not proper in his or her interaction with other hunters and the game being
pursued.
The concept of fair chase obviously applies
to the hunter's relationship with the game and isa primary ingredient in any honest hunting exercise. Simply put, fair chase means that the hunter
respects his or her quarry and will not take unfair
advantage of it during the act of hunting, even if
such a situation presents itself. That said, here aresome rules that should be an integral part of every
hunter’s code of ethics.

Hunters must seek permission to hunt on private property
whether it's posted or not. John Higley photo.

A Hunter's Code of Ethics
1. When hunting private land, I will consider myself an invited guest of the landowner, seeking permission to hunt and conducting myself so that I, and others, may bewelcome in the future.
2. I will not misuse or abuse public property upon which the future of hunting depends. Indiscriminate shooting, littering, and other acts of vandalism destroy theseplaces for everyone.
3. I will obey the rules of safe gun-handling and will courteously but firmly insist that
others who hunt with me do the same.
4. I will obey all game laws and regulations, and will insist that my companions do
likewise.
5. I will do my best to acquire those marksmanship and hunting skills which assureclean, sportsmanlike kills.
6. I will support conservation efforts which can assure good hunting for future generations.
7. I will pass on to younger hunters the attitudes and skills essential to a true outdoor
sports person.
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Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

This hunter is sighting in his rifle, which is always a good idea before
embarking on a deer hunt. John Higley photo.

The ethical hunter recognizes the needfor these laws which help perpetuate hunting.
Poaching is an activity contrary to regulated hunting—it actually amounts to stealing from legitimate hunters and other people who value wildlife
resources.
Hunters should take pride in their role inthe conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Sportsmen and sportswomen will not, and cannot,
accept poaching as a normal part of the outdoor
scene. Neither should they ignore the actions of
those people identified as slob hunters for the latter damage the reputation of all hunters simply by
association.
Safety and ethics go hand in hand. Whenboth are properly observed they contribute greatly
to your personal self-esteem and your image, as seen
by others. Ideally, hunting teaches responsibility not
only to yourself and fellow hunters, but to wildlife

resources, as well.
reporting game violations. In this day andage it's important that we do not ignore violationsin the field involving California's fish and wildlife
resources. That's why the CalTIP program (which
stands for Californians Turn In Poachers) became
reality. If you witness a poaching incident, or haveinformation regarding such a violation, dial thetoll-free Department of Fish and Game number
1-888-DFG-CalTIP (888-334-2258). This number isanswered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Your identity will be protected. You will
not have to give your name and you won't berequired to testify. You will be assigned a code
number and that will be your only way to identify
yourself. If and when the information leads to anarrest, you may claim your reward—an amount
up to $1,000.

72

S afety and E thics

chapter 12:

Pursuing the Exceptional Buck
Without a doubt, mostdeer hunters daydreamabout putting their tag on atruly exceptional buck sometime during their hunting career. Some hunters eventually get such a buck by pure
luck. Others devote most of
their deer hunting time specifically to locating what, in
their view, are better-thanaverage bucks. Occasionallythey are successful at putting themselves in the rightplace at the right time, but
by and large, the vast majority of the legal bucks tagged
in California are young deerof average size. When you
think about it, there's reallynothing wrong with that.
The biggest deerin the state are, of course,
Rocky Mountain mule deer,
which range throughout theWest and inhabit the easternedge of California roughly
from Mono County northto the Oregon border andeast to Nevada. It is interesting to note that even in thegood old days of few restrictions, California's mule deer
have not made much of asplash in the record books. However, that does
not mean that there are no large, mature bucks
taken in California, only that they don't score well

California produces some outstanding bucks but, by and large,
most legal bucks tagged are young deer of average size like thisforked horn black-tailed deer. DFG photo.

73

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia
Left: This is the only typical mule deer entry from California inthe Boone and Crockett records. It was taken in 1943 by Sulo
Lakso in Lassen County. John Higley photo.
Below: This magnificent nontypical mule deer was taken in
Shasta County in 1987 by Artie McGram. Currently it is #8 in
the Boone and Crockett all time records. DFG photo.

according to the Boone & Crockett Club (B&C) or
Pope and Young measurement systems.
Perhaps the biggest limiting factor, in
the availability of high-scoring mule deer bucks
in California, is the limited number of Rocky
Mountain mule deer present here to begin with.
When you consider how many thousands of muledeer bucks are taken throughout the West, and how
few actually qualify for the book, you must conclude
that very few deer in any herd develop antlers thatscore well from the standpoint of B&C. Finding

one of those mossyhorn monsters is a lot like winning the lottery—you always have high hopes but theodds really aren't very good, are they?
In the 1991 edition of the official Records of
Elk and Mule Deer (published by B&C), the state ofColorado has 167 entries in the typical mule deercategory while Nevada, a state also known for big
mule deer bucks, has only 10. Nevada, which has far
more Rocky Mountain mule deer than California,
obviously produces scads of big once-in-a-lifetime
bucks that do not score well for B&C. The difference between Nevada and Colorado, besides a lower
buck harvest in Nevada, may be attributed, in part,to the configuration and symmetry of the antlers
found in various regions.
Meanwhile, California has only one typicalmule deer listed, a buck killed by a hunter named
Sulo Lakso in Lassen County in 1943. Interestingly,
the buck was not recognized as a candidate for the
B&C records until 1987!
Incidentally, the body size of these recordbucks doesn't mean a thing and you'll find that
adult mule deer in good condition from California
compare favorably with same age bucks from any
Bowhunter Cliff Dewell with a Pope and Young blacktail from
Siskiyou County. John Higley photo.

74

Pursing the Exceptional Buckother western state. That said, it's entirely possiblethat other potential record-book mule deer bucks
were taken occasionally in the old days by hunters
who simply tossed the antlers in the barn or discarded them.
The obvious question is, have our deer gotten smaller? Probably not. While it's true that there
were some absolutely monstrous deer (body-wise)
reported in the 1930s, including a confirmed reportof a buck from Lassen County that apparently
weighed 320 pounds field-dressed, some reports
from that time indicate that there were actually
fewer deer to begin with. And certainly there wasless hunting pressure. To produce really big-bodied
and big-antlered mule deer takes a combination ofgood feed, proper minerals and longevity. A buck's
antlers really don't reach their full potential until
the animal is between 4 and 7 years of age.

One DFG biologist explains it this way,
"I've kept track of some of the biggest bucks taken
in northern California and I've seen a pattern.
Genetics are important, but it appears that genetics dictate the configuration of a buck's antlers
while nutrition has a lot to do with size. However,there's more to it. Not only does a buck have tohave the right genes and nutrition, but he also has
to live long enough to develop fully, and very few
California bucks have that opportunity."
Surprisingly, California hunters have donea bit better with mule deer bucks in the non-typical category, placing 4 in the B&C book, including a monster buck taken by Artie McGram in
Shasta County in 1987. McGram's buck is currently
listed as number 8 in the all-time B&C records.
Other nontypical bucks include two from Modoc
County and one from Mariposa County, which

This outstanding buck, with an antler
spread of 30-3/4 inches was taken in 1993
in eastern Tehama County by Jim Phelps.
Jennifer White photo.

75

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

was killed in 1972. The Mariposa buck, taken by
Harold Laird, is currently number 4 in the book.
All of this is not meant to discourage youfrom looking for a big buck when you have a tag for
one of the areas that might produce such an animal
for you. Just remember, “exceptional” is in the eye ofthe beholder and the truth of the matter is that thevast majority of the large mule deer taken throughout the West simply do not score well enough to beentered in the pages of the B&C records book. Thatbrings up another point. Perhaps there is too muchemphasis these days on how well a particular buckscores and too little emphasis on the rewards of an
enjoyable, challenging hunting experience, successful or not.
When you get right down to it, a big adultof any of the subspecies of mule deer found in
California is truly exceptional even if it isn't qualified to enter the book. Bear in mind that the only
subspecies of mule deer listed in the records separately from mule deer are Columbian black-tailed
deer and they qualify only if they come from an area
specified by B&C. Any black-tailed deer outside of
the area must be measured as a mule deer because
the deer in question is apt to be a hybrid of the two.
(See the black-tail deer range description that accompanies this chapter.)In the black-tailed deer department,This very respectable black-tailed buck did not make the records
book but hunter Murial Owens was delighted anyway.
John Higley photo.

After scouting in the Yolla Bolly
Wilderness, hunter Brad Pitttook this record-book blacktailed buck in 1994.
Brad Pitt photo.

76

Pursing the Exceptional Buck77

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

International (SCI) uses a different measurement
system and it is not unusual for deer to make its"book" that would not score well according to B&C.
SCI also has a category for archery in which almost
any bow-killed deer can be entered.

California fares quite well. In fact, the 1991 edition of Records of Elk and Mule Deer shows 236
entries from this state, 174 from Oregon, 112 from
Washington and 15 from British Columbia. These
numbers change a bit with each passing year as
more bucks are added, but California is more thanholding its own even today.
Black-tailed deer are numerous and they
have a better chance of reaching their full potential
due to the terrain they inhabit. Their preferredhabitat varies widely, from roadless alpine areas tovast scrub oak brush fields, but it all has one thingin common, it's very difficult to hunt. The task is
not impossible, however, and there are some hunters who have dedicated themselves to the huntingof large, mature black-tailed deer with fairly goodsuccess. Record-book bucks are still very much the
exception rather than the rule, of course, but you
can rest assured that there are still some of themaround. You just have to find them and that's always easier said than done.
Without a doubt, the best counties to huntfor big black-tails are Trinity, Siskiyou, Mendocino
and Tehama; and some of the best areas include the
Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel, Trinity Alps, and Marble
Mountain wilderness areas.
There is one thing worth repeating about
bigger-than-average bucks. As one biologist indicated in chapter six, there's a tendency for hunters tooveremphasize the spots with high concentrationsof deer. While there may, indeed, be some very big
bucks in such a spot with the does and fawns, there
is a tendency for the least accessible places to produce the biggest of the big bucks. That makes sense,
because it is the way a buck has learned to live thatallows him to live to a ripe old age in the first place.
Bowhunters also do well in this state insome of the same areas mentioned above. Theirdeer usually are entered, not in the B&C records,
but those kept by the Pope and Young Club, thearcher's counterpart to B&C. Trophy archery-killed
black-tailed deer have been recorded in 18 counties, the best overall being Trinity, Mendocino andSiskiyou.
Incidentally, while the Boone and Crockett
Club is the best-known records keeping organization, it is not alone in the field. Safari Club

scoring organizations:

Boone & Crockett ClubOld Milwaukee Depot
250 Station Dr.
Missoula, MT 59801-2753
Pope and Young Club
P.O. Box 548
Chatfield, MN 55923
Safari Club International
4800 W. Gates Pass Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85745
black-tailed deer range according toboone & crockett. Beginning in Siskiyou County

at the Oregon-California border, the boundarylies between townships R8W and R9W M.D.M.,
extending south to and along the Klamath River toHamburg, then south along the road to Scott Bar,
continuing south and then east on the unimproved
road from Scott Bar to its intersection with the
paved road to Mugginsville, then south throughMugginsville to State Highway 3, which is thenfollowed to Douglas City in Trinity County fromwhich the line runs east on State Highway 299 toInterstate 5. The line follows Interstate 5 south tothe area of Anderson, where the Sacramento Rivermoves east of Interstate 5, following the Sacramento
River until it joins with the San Joaquin River,which is followed to the south border of Stanislaus
County. The line then runs west along this borderto the east border of Santa Clara County. The eastand south borders of Santa Clara County are thenfollowed to the south border of Santa Cruz County
which is then followed to the edge of Monterey Bay.
to take a prime buck. Exceptional deer
are sometimes taken in California quite by accident.
The hunters most apt to be successful, however, arethose who are willing to work hard toward that goal.
78

Pursing the Exceptional Buck79

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

They scour maps looking for out-of-the-way spots
in areas that are known to produce big bucks, they
scout new areas prior to the season(s), and makethe most of tags for special opportunity hunts when
they are drawn for them. And more importantly,

perhaps, they have no qualms about passing up legal
bucks that do not meet their personal goals. It'san old adage, but true, that a real trophy hunter ismore likely than not to go home empty-handed after
a long, tiring, and sometimes uneventful hunt.

Two bucks near Bishop. Photo by Don L. Johnson.

80Pursing the Exceptional Buck

chapter 13:

Deer of California(Historical Perspective of Deer in the Golden State)

Early European settlers found fewer deer in
California than we have today. Things began tochange rapidly in favor of deer about the time of
the Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. As settlers rushed
to California, heavy timber harvesting, slash fires,and wildfires opened the forests and created vast
areas where young shrubs flourished. The stage
was set for deer populations to increase.
However, while the habitat was rapidly
improving, unregulated killing of deer for meatand hides prevented herds from filling the newly
created habitats. Many settlers, particularly miners,
abandoned their diggings in favor of the more lucrative market hunting and commercial deer hunting
camps that were operated throughout California
from 1850 until the early 1900s. One writer reported that 35,000 deer hides were shipped by a single
firm in Redding in 1880.
Meanwhile, the habitat was there waiting forthe deer to respond and population increases were
forthcoming. In 1893, the deer season was reduced
to six weeks and, in 1901, a limit of three bucks
was in place. The limit was reduced to two bucks in1905. A hunting license was required in 1907 andthe revenue was used to employ wardens to enforce
the regulations. Around 1910, a perfect time to be adeer, the population eruption began.		
By thelate 1940s, the state's deer population had increased
from less than 300,000 to more than a million.
Biologists began to report widespread evidence of
overpopulation including winter losses, damage tofood plants, and a reduction in fawns. In 1956, inan effort to reduce deer herds, hunters were allowed
to take one deer of either sex during the last daysof the season in 35 counties. The statewide harvestthat year was approximately 108,000 deer of which
38,000 were does.
Interestingly, the large deer kill in 1956

was followed by a significant increase in fawns.
This response was expected because the notable
doe harvest removed excess deer that the habitat
couldn't support. The does remaining after the huntproduced more fawns because of less competition
for forage. The large fawn-crops of 1957 resulted in
more 2-year-old bucks in 1959. That led to record
buck-harvests then and in 1960, in spite of concern
by some that the herds had been decimated in 1956.
Because of public opposition to the antlerless deer harvest in 1956, legislation was passed
giving 37 county boards of supervisors the authority to veto subsequent doe hunts. Today California
has the dubious distinction of being the only statein the nation where doe hunts cannot always be
carried out even when such hunts are biologicallyjustified.
California deer, along with herds in mostother western states, began to decline in the early
1960s. Biologists had predicted the downward trend
in the 1940s because of severe damage to forage
plants due to overpopulation of deer and the maturing of the habitat.
While much debate has gone on about thecauses, considerable evidence exists to indicatethat deer habitat quality is still in a steady decline
due primarily to the loss of forage plants that growin the wake of fires or logging. Fire and logging
clear the forest of mature vegetation and allow the
regrowth of shrubs and herbaceous plants that deerneed for forage. In other words, a significant reduction in wildfires due to modern fire suppression
capabilities and changes in forest practices designed
to control brush, have resulted in losses of deer
habitat. Ultimately, deer numbers are determined by
the amount of good habitat available to them.
81Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

Good habitat consists of three components:
food, cover and water. Each of these elements isimportant but research shows that food quality andquantity usually limit deer numbers even when theother components are adequate. Deer are primarilybrowsers and their most important food consists ofyoung shrubs. Not surprisingly, some brush species
are much more important than others. For example,
manzanita, a plant that most hunters are familiar
with, supplies cover but has very little forage value
to deer. On the other hand, shrubs in the rose family, known as Ceanothus, are very important and ofhigh value. In the drier, eastern areas of California,

bitterbrush is a major component in the diet ofmule deer.
Deer also depend on herbaceous or "weedy"
plants such as clovers, particularly during the springand summer months. In the fall, acorns are also
important to them in many parts of the state.
Prime forage is not only palatable to deer
but nutritious as well. Good food produces energy
and contributes bone and tissue for growth andreproduction. Studies have shown that for optimum
growth, deer require a diet with at least 16 percent
digestible protein and preferably 20 percent during
their early, rapid growth years. According to surveys,

This photograph was taken in 1935 from English Peak in the Marble Mountain Wilderness on the Klamath National Forest. This was atime when disturbances such as fire, logging, and even grazing created an ideal situation for deer throughout northern California. Here
we see a mixture of cover created by timber and plenty of openings where deer browse could grow.

When this photograph was taken in 1992, again from English Peak, the changes that occurred during the ensuing 57 years were obvious.
With the emphasis on fire suppression and timber production, the area is now in a state of advanced plant succession. In other words,
deer food is scarce and that is reflected in overall deer numbers.

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D eer of C alifornia

This graphshows the deer
population trends
from the 1800s
through the
1900s.

itself through increased adult losses via factors
such as starvation, disease and declining births.

many of the plants on California deer ranges
provide only 10 percent protein. Deer on such lowprotein diets may only obtain 60 or 70 percent of
their potential growth. In a poor forage situation,
undernourished deer typically have fewer fawns andthe overall population declines.
Habitats are said to have a carrying capacity. If the habitat is good and the deer are below thecarrying capacity, the deer will produce more fawns
thus filling the capacity. When the habitat declines
for one reason or another, deer numbers also drop.

Efforts to "save" deer and stockpile them failbecause reducing losses from one decimating factor
shifts those losses to another. The bottom line isthat the herd cannot exceed the carrying capacity of
its habitat, at least for long.
A common tool used in deer management
is to harvest animals of both sexes so that the herd
can be lowered to a level slightly below the carrying capacity of the habitat. When this is achieved,
deaths due to other causes are reduced. Fawn production and survival increases as the herd attempts
to fill the void created by the removal of the adults
through hunting. Because the deer are held to alevel below the habitat capacity, there is little or nocompetition for food and individual animals arebigger. Of special interest to hunters, the bucks also
grow bigger antlers.		
With a better understanding of how deer
regulate their populations around a habitat carrying capacity, we turn our attention to the factors

When deer numbers are low, hunters often suggest restricting hunting seasons and bag
limits, or call for predator control to let the herds
build up. While these suggestions are well intentioned, they do not take into account the intricate
balance between deaths, births and carrying
capacity. It is this balance between births anddeaths that usually create the controversy over
how deer are managed. Biologists know that inmost cases if deaths are reduced by restricting
hunting or reducing predators, the herd balances83Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia

The carrying capacity graph illustrates
how deer populations reach carrying
capacity and then level off. The decimating factors that remove deer are shown
trying to push the population down
while births add to the herd. The closer
the deer population comes to the carrying capacity, the more deer are lostto decimating factors. As deer numbers
reach or exceed the habitat capacity(food supply) the deer get smaller andthe bucks grow smaller antlers. Thisis a form of population control thathas evolved to prevent herds fromoverpopulating and damaging theirhabitats—at least for long periods.

that regulate that capacity. Carrying capacity israrely stable. Short-term changes occur as a resultof weather and man’s activities on the land. A
wildfire, for example, might temporarily reduce
the habitat on a summer range until the shrubs
resprout and produce an increase in food above
the level prior to the burn. The deer that use thearea will respond to the changes by increasing in
numbers.
Periodic droughts may also reduce thegrowth of important food plants and affect thecarrying capacity of the range. Dramatic, but temporary, changes can also occur when heavy wintersnows cover feeding areas for a prolonged period oftime, causing deer to starve.
Winter snows, drought and wildfire resultin short-term trends in habitat capacity. More
important are the long-term trends in the abilityof California wildlands to support deer. Look carefully at the habitat photographs on page 82. One
was taken in 1935, well into the period when deer
were increasing throughout the state, and theother was taken 57 years later, in 1992, from thesame location. Note the changes that occurred
during that time period. Without disturbancessuch as lightning fires that create openings in
the trees which allow young vegetation to grow,shrubs mature and trees begin to dominate. As
the canopy closes it reduces the moisture andsunlight reaching the forest floor. The habitat thus
supports fewer deer.
While the photographs illustrate thesechanges in only one area, work throughout
California and other western states confirms theshifts in habitats from mixed shrubs and trees tolarge areas dominated by second-growth trees anddecadent brush fields. This unnatural process cameabout largely because of the suppression of wildfires
since the middle of this century.			
Land managers are beginning to recognize the problems associated with the continuing suppression ofnatural life-giving fires on the landscape. Not only
deer but many other species of plants and animals
depend on periodic cleansing of the land (via fire) tocreate the needed mosaics of openings in the vegetative cover. Finally, we must change our attitudes
about fire and learn how to reintroduce this totally
natural force into the strategies we use to manage
habitats.

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D eer of C alifornia

Appendix
general hunting information from the department of fish and game:

Region 1:
		

601 Locust, Redding, CA 96001 					619 Second St., Eureka, CA 95501 				(530) 225-2300(707) 445-6493

Region 2:

1701 Nimbus Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 		(916) 358-2900

Region 3:
				7329 Silverado Trail, Box 47, Yountville, CA 94599 		
411 Burgess Dr., Menlo Park, CA 94025 			
20 Lower Ragsdale, Suite 100, Monterey, CA 93940 		(707) 944-5500(415) 688-6340(408) 649-2870		

Region 4:1234 East Shaw Ave., Fresno, CA 93710 			(559) 243-4005

Region 5:		4949 Viewridge Dr., San Diego, CA 92123			
407 W. Line St., Bishop, CA 93514 				(858) 467-4201(760) 872-1171

Region 6: 4775 Bird Farm Road		
Chino Hills, CA 91709						Headquarters:
Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090 		(909) 597-0923(916) 653-7664

License and Revenue Branch: 3211 S St., Sacramento, CA 95816(916) 227-2244 or 												(916) 227-2177

85

Hunting Deer in Cal ifornia
general information from usda forest service offices by dfg region:

Region 1:
Klamath National Forest
1312 Fairlane Rd., Yreka, CA 96097 			
(916) 246-5222
Lassen National Forest
55 S. Sacramento St., Susanville, CA 96130 		
(916) 257-2151
Modoc National Forest
441 N. Main St., Alturas, CA 96101 			
(916) 233-5811
Shasta-Trinity National Forest,
2400 Washington Ave., Redding, CA 96001(916) 246-5222
Six Rivers National Forest
507 E. Street, Eureka, CA 95501(707) 442-1721
Region 2:
El Dorado National Forest
100 Forni Rd.,
Placerville, CA 95667(916) 622-5061
Lassen National Forest
55 S. Sacramento St., Susanville, CA 96130(916) 257-2151
Stanislaus National Forest
19777 Greenly Rd., Sonora, CA 95370(209) 532-3671
Tahoe National Forest
Highway 49 & Coyote St., Nevada City, CA 95959(916) 265-4531
Toiyabe National Forest Carson Ranger District
1536 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701(702) 882-2766

Region 3:
Los Padres National Forest, Santa Lucia District
1616 Carlotti Dr., Santa Maria, CA 93454(805) 925-9538
Mendocino National Forest
420 East Laurel St., Willows, CA 95988(916) 934-3316
Region 4:
Sequoia National Forest
900 W. Grand Ave., Porterville, CA 93257(559) 784-1500
Sierra National Forest
Federal Bldg.,1130 O. Street, Fresno., CA 93712(559) 487-5155
Region 5:
Angeles National Forest
701 N. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia, CA 91006(818) 577-0050
Cleveland National Forest
880 Front St., San Diego, CA 92188(852) 293-5050
Inyo National Forest
873 N. Main St., Bishop, CA 93514(760) 873-5841
Los Padres National Forest
6144 Calle Real, Goleta, CA 93117(805) 683-6711
San Bernardino National Forest
144 N. Mt. View Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92408(714) 383-5588

86

A ppendix
useful publications, videos, etc.
map sources

Complete Game Care Guide, by Durwood Hollis
Publisher: The Brunton/Lakota Co., 620 E. MonroeSt., Riverton, WY 82501.

Obviously, if you are going into a new area tohunt, the first step in learning about the land, and theaccess to it, is to get a good set of maps. One way
to get detailed maps for any of the national forestsof California is to contact the USDA Forest Service
Public Affairs Office. Ask for a list of maps and a
price sheet, then order what you need. Besides maps
for individual national forests, the Forest Service also
has some very good topographic maps available forsome of the major wilderness areas. Contact:
USDA Forest Service Public Affairs Office
630 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111(415) 705-2874

Sausage and Jerky Handbook, by Eldon R. Cutlip
Contact: Eldon's Products, Box 145, Grangeville, ID
83530.
Easy Deer Cutting (video).
Contact: Eldon's Products.
Primal Cuts for Boning Elk and Deer (poster)
The Home Butch'r Shop, Box 1043, Redmond, OR
97756 (instruction manual available).

In addition to the Public Affairs Office, you
can also get maps for the forest you plan to visit bycontacting or visiting the main office of a particularforest or a ranger district office.
The Bureau of Land Management also has
maps for the land it administers. Ask for a Map Index
and price list, then place your order accordingly.
Contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Federal
Office Bldg.
2800 Cottage Way, Room E-2841
Sacramento, CA 95825(916) 979-2800

The Mule Deer Carcass (B-589R—Field)
Skinning and Boning Big Game (B-884R—Field/
Busboom).
Aging Big Game (B-513R—Field).
All pamphlets are available from:The University of Wyoming, Bulletin Room, Box3313, Laramie, WY 82071.
California Deer Association
P.O. Box 6981
San Jose, CA 95150
The Mule Deer Foundation
1005 Terminal Way, Suite 140
Reno, NV 89502
1-(800) 344-BUCK

Topographic maps are always helpful inhunting situations and maps of this type are available
from the U.S. Geological Survey. In addition, some
sporting goods stores and book stores have a supply
of topo maps for a particular region so you might beable to get them closer to home if you look around abit. Contact:
U.S. Geological Survey Distribution Center
Denver Federal Center, Building 810
Box 25286
Denver, CO 80225(303) 236-7477
Ask for an Index of Topographic Maps for
California and order the maps you need.
87