17 replies to this topic

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I've been doing a good amount of research to try and find areas to hunt, mainly rabbits right now, that wouldn't be too far from where I live (East San Diego County). One area that came up was McCain Valley. Have any of you hunted for rabbits or hares there and if so, what were your experiences there? Are there any drawbacks to going out that way to hunt?

[jawbreaker]

just do a search or read some old threads, you usually find the info you need.http://www.californi...showtopic=20952

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Thanks Jawbreaker, I'll definitely do a search next time before I post. Thanks again.

[jawbreaker]

No need to search before you post, I just remembered reading something about mccain valley so I knew to search for it but if I didn't remember and no one else posted you wouldn't have the info. There are tons of jackrabbits around this year, Marcelo and I counted 65 or so last time we were out.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

There are tons of jackrabbits around this year, Marcelo and I counted 65 or so last time we were out.

How long ago were you out there?

[jawbreaker]

It wasn't at mc cain valley it was north and about a month ago. I was down towards mc cain a few weeks ago coyote hunting with Baxter and we saw a grip of them there but only shot one each since we were targeting dogs not wabbits.

[SDPig]

Did you have any luck hunting dogs in McCain Valley?

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I Haven't had a chance to get out there just yet. I just recently received the BLM maps that I ordered and my Cleveland National Forest map and I've been looking over all those maps learning the topography, boundaries and just learning the maps. I've concentrating on the Cleveland National Forest map and the BLM map for El Cajon. I know there are coyotes out there because a buddy of mine that hunts said he's gotten some (though he wouldn't tell me exactly where he got them (not giving out his honey hole)). I'm sure you'd have to get out far enough away from the camping grounds and people so that you would be able to call them in.

[beniflas]

I have also been studying my Cleveland National Forest map....I think the only downside to going to McCain Valley during this time of year is the OHV traffic that you might run into.

[Single Six]

Go past the OHV area...while watching out for idiots on OHVs...almost had a head-on with some quads.Watch out for lions. One snuck up on me in the campground. They come to coyote calls too. On second thought, don't. The hunting is terrible there, don't bother...

[CBR400RR]

I have never got a jack and I would like to try, how close can you get to them? are they like squirrels and run when ever they see or hear anything or are they like cotton tails and just sit there looking at you? Would it be better to use a .22 or a .25 on them?

[Single Six]

I've always used a .223. I don't know what to tell you on the airguns. You can get close sneaking around. I've stumbled on them point blank and had them just sit and look at me. Next time I hunt them I'm taking my scoped .22mag Single Six.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Since you have the .25, that's what I would use since the Jacks are bigger, however, like they say, shot placement is everything. If you put a .22 in the right spot, it will go down too. So I suppose I would use the one you are most confident with. I've not seen any Jacks lately, but from what I've seen in the videos, if you glass them out and they don't see you, you can get pretty close (like around 30 to 40 yards, maybe less if your sniper stealthy). I suppose we'll have to get out there and see for ourselves.

[Single Six]

I usually go out and glass and shoot an open area from 50-300 yards and once I don't see any more, I hike slowly and quietly through the area I think they are in and have walked right up on them. You need an area with cover, won't work in the wide-open.

[CBR400RR]

I'm good out to 100 yards with my .22 Rapid or my .25 Air Ranger for a Jack I bet.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I'm wondering, does anyone know if you have to have an adventure pass or need to purchase any sort of Park permit to park one's vehicle in the McCain Valley area? Or is it that, as long as you are not camping there you do not need a pass or permit? Thanks for any helpful replies.

[beniflas]

No pass needed on BLM land. The only permits you would need would be for overnight camping or for a campfire.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

Thanks for the information.