8 replies to this topic

[Pokey]

Hey guys,a few of us are planning a camping trip just outside of Yosemite. Sept 15-19, are there places to hunt up there? I'm down in San Diego. I'd like to bring something along in case we see tree squirrels or rabbits. I know you cannot hunt in a national park, but we are not going in to Yosemite. We do not have a spot locked in yet, it depends if we can find a place close to there we can hike in and possibly hunt?Any suggestions? We plan of finding a spot we can hike in and tent it for 3 nightsThanksand I'm not asking for anyone's spots, Just a general area we can hike in and see some beautiful land and if we are lucky enough to come across some small game that would be great

[Frank]

Well, I am neither a tree squirrel or rabbit hunter, so may want to take at least some of this with a grain of salt, sorta speak. Anyway, I do not believe there is tree squirrel hunting allowed in Mono or Inyo counties? Check the regulations (on line) is where you should get the CORRECT answers needed.As far as where to go in the eastern sierras, you can almost throw a dart at the map and not go wrong. Almost! LOTS of awesome country all along there from Rock Creek to Bridgeport & north. Some areas have more bear and cougars than others, so be careful with that.There are also marmots in some areas, but again I do not know the regs on them. Plus, some are nearly like pets, being used to people, and not sure how much fun or sport it would be to shoot those? But hey, to each their own of course.For just plain ole rabbit & ground squirrel hunting, I would imagine the Mammoth area & east of 395 would be at least fair. No need to hike into the back country, at least for these critters.Take a predator call along. Don't need to know how to blow on it, just do it, sounding like something is being torn apart will work. Now that may give a real adrenaline rush if you call something in... especially a cougar. lol Have funFrank

[whatjeffhunts]

Where r u going? Yosemite covers alot of different counties.

[ShooterJohn]

What direction would you be coming from on your way to Yosemite? Like Jeff said it's a big area. It's now legal to have guns in your possession in the park but illegal to discharge them.

[jeager]

If you're coming up Hwy99 and going through Sierra Nat'l Forest, it's going to be opening weekend of D-7 deer season. Check the season for the Hwy 395~120 entrance. This year is awesome for the High Country!

[Pokey]

Thanks for the responces everyone. we will be coming from San Diego, taking the 395 I believe. This started from us wanting to take a guys trip and hike in the mountains for a few day, fishing and to be as far away from RV and campers as possible. Now it seems like most of us are saying it would be nice to be in an area to hunt as well, nothing big, but never thought about coyotes up there? but anyways I just am not familiar with anything near Yosemite or Mammoth. But we just want to be in beautiful forest with fishing and hunting.

[dangerranger]

Altho I havent been up that way in awhile you might try Devils Postpile. it has hotsprings, hot running showers, and plenty of trails to hike and hunt. there used to be cabins there for rent also. nice campgrounds also. DR

[Frank]

For me, the eastern sierras is the gem of the state. Do not over look the June Lake loop, one of my favorites for decades, approx 20 miles north of Mammoth. June lake is not any where near as busy as Mammoth while offering perhaps more solitude? Lee Vining is another. Go up Tioga pass road(s/s of Lee Vining), and IF Saddlebag lake is open (from ice / snow) is an AWESOME lake to visit & fish. They have a water taxi to the north side and you will have a basin of lakes to hike and fish, but is not necessary to catch fish. If Saddlebag is closed, Tioga & Ellery lakes are right along the hwy & open to fish.Bridgeport is God's country and is one of the best deer hunting zones in the state. Or it used to be. X-12! Visit Twin lakes out of Bridgeport, and Virginia Lakes & Bodie Ghost town which are both between Lee Vining and Bridgeport. Virginia lakes west of 395 & Bodie east of 395. May want to do some Google searches on the above? I've never had much luck hunting coyotes around the Mammoth area, even though they are there. I've had better luck in other parts of the eastern sierras for coyotes, but hey, that could be just me too?RegardsFrank

[turkeyman85]

you can hunt ruffed grouse and sooty grouse in those ares. I was gonna try and hunt them this year but I didnt get drawn for the sage grouse hunt. They all over lap their range so it would have been nice to try to get a grouse slam..