49 replies to this topic

[elcerinal]

I am looking for a place to hunt small game within an hour or two of the San Fernando Valley. I would like to hunt rabbits, quail, or doves. I have hunted quite a bit on the East Coast, but I would like to get started hunting closer to home. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Thumper Dunker]

[mtn dog]

Don't look at me. I'm too tired to get in the ring tonight.

[ratassassin]

There are small ranchettes north of Granada Hills in those foothills and they often have cottontails and ground squirrels. Make friends with folks and see if you can hunt their properties with an air rifle. One ranch where my sister keeps her horse has cottontails all over the place. Problem is, it's owned by a Hollywood movie industry couple that loves bunnies and won't allow hunting. As a result, there's bunnies everywhere.Obviously, you can't use a shotgun on those 2-5 acre properties because it's too loud and neighbors are too close. But an air rifle is perfect. I made the mistake of using a 17 HMR to shoot a ground squirrel on one 2.5 acre semi-rural ranchette property. Neighbors came flying out of houses for a block. I waived at them and fortunately they waived back because they know I have hunting privileges on 3 adjacent properties and they hate the ground squirrels. But in terms of noise, it might as well have been a .30-06.

[Thumper Dunker]

Don't look at me. I'm too tired to get in the ring tonight.

[pete]

Alright guess its my turn again...-Poeple wont give out hunting spots, you got to get some boots and find a couple reasons to use them(psst! those are possible hunting grounds)-Use google earth, its free and gives you a general idea of the terrain, water, vegetation, ect.-Buy a topo map and learn how to read it and buy a compass, a real one like the Silva system ones not the one on your Iphone(It helps to know what all the little and big lines going round and round mean, the same for a compass-Say this over and over "Hunting spots aren't free, I need to work for them"

[Braz]

And get a copy of the hunting regs and study them. They will tell where it is legal to hunt and where it is illegal. Just know it's legal will also give you some idea of where to go. You can use the topo maps with the description given by DFG.

[elcerinal]

Okay I can see that no one is going to tell me where to hunt. I was thinking of hunting in Frazier Park or maybe Carrizo National Monument. Can I just walk in anywhere to hunt in these places? I drove out to Frazier Park and saw some places that looked promising. I saw a few does on the side of the 5 as I was driving up.

[mtn dog]

BINGO! No one is going to tell you where to hunt, especially not guys who wore out a pair of boots scouting areas the old fashioned way.Friend, you have all the information you need right here at your fingertips.Try this.... Look at your computer screen. See the line below the California Predators Club logo? Now follow that line to the right side of the screen. See the word "Search"? (How are you doing so far? Need a rest?)OK... click on 'Search' and a box will open.Type "Carrizo" in that box, then click 'Go'.SHAAZAM! Now you have a big long list of previous discussions on this forum all concerning Carrizo. Amazing, isn't it!Try that with "Frazier Park".This is called Internet Scouting. It will save you days of time and possibly help you avoid getting arrested. Beyond that, pal, you are on your own. If that's too difficult, you can always pick up the phone and call the DFG warden assigned to an area you are wondering about hunting and ask them. Now, I have a question for you. I see that you've been a member since January 2010 but you've only posted four times.... Oh, never mind. I think I answered my own question.

[rws fan]

Okay I can see that no one is going to tell me where to hunt. I was thinking of hunting in Frazier Park or maybe Carrizo National Monument. Can I just walk in anywhere to hunt in these places? I drove out to Frazier Park and saw some places that looked promising. I saw a few does on the side of the 5 as I was driving up.

Sent you a private message,Henry

[Frank]

I was thinking of hunting in Frazier Park or maybe Carrizo National Monument. Can I just walk in anywhere to hunt in these places?

You CAN.... However, private land owners, wardens or guard dogs might CONFRONT you or have something to say about it. Just because we can, does not mean we SHOULD, in other words.If you really can't afford a phone call to the DFG or to purchase a Forestry or BLM map that tells / SHOWS (respectively) you where the public lands are, you may want to consider a more affordable hobby? Then again, for a couple hundred thousand $$$,$$$'s, (give or take(?), I can give you some EXACT GPS coordinates to some good coyote, quail & deer hunting areas, in SEVERAL states, including the areas you mentioned above...You see, I would need roughly that amount in order to cover my expenses on over 45 + years of hunting on numerous 4x4 vehicles, out of state deer hunting tags & outfitter fees, LOTS of firearms, TONS of maps, phone calls, boot leather, clothing, sleeping bags, tents, motel rooms, food & GAS and other "stuff", that I cannot think of right now... AND, before "I" GIVE it away...to a stranger!But hey, that's just me... Frank

[pete]

I know we might seem mean but you could probably find 1000s of posts asking to give away free hunting spots. Admitatly I did it at first too but wised up quick(Im a new hunter and the first in my family). If your looking at Fraizer Park get on the assesor maps for I think Ventura or Kern county and make sure any land isnt Private property, and if it is find who owns it(this will take a trip to the county office with a IPN number and/or adress. If its owned by a rancher youll have better chances than with an investor(I know this because 5 minutes from my house is 1000s of acres of good hunting ground owned by an investment firm, Im still a little torn on wheather or not to ask for permition or just tresspass(I dont like to but the place is never visited and lots of poeple shoot up there)). A lot of the spots I will hunt in the LPNF are killer hikes to get to them, this means less hunting preasure and poeple traffic. There are plenty of great spots to hunt from near a road or other easy trail but you will have a much much much better chance in my mind going either to a ranch/farm, off trail/ killer trail, or off a 4x4 road.Definitely good advice to study the regs, both DFG AND PENAL CODE, or at least know where to go to clear any possible little question you might have up, poeple on here dont often like telling you the regs, some times if there is a confusion with the interpertation or you need it clarified poeple with DFG contacts will help out.Have fun scouting, your gonna have to get used to the disapointment of finding nothing.

[elcerinal]

Thanks to those who offered advice. I have been out scouting each of the last 3 days. I had the week off from work, so I used it to look for a place to hunt this year. I found what looks like a good place for small game. Saw lots of quail and some jacks and cottontails. Looks like I have at least one place I can hunt this year.

[Braz]

That's great news. If you make it out hunting be sure to take your camera so we can see some pictures of what you get.

[TonyS]

Thank you Frank. I get so annoyed when I see this stuff. I really like it when I answer similarly and get something about not being helpful. Sheesh!

[Frank]

Yeah, Tony, we can only shake our heads (in disbelief). Some folks obviously have not put in much time, money & energy that I mentioned above or they wouldn't be so eager to sink their own ship. As that is EXACTLY what they are doing. Or, they just plain do not have the passion or experience to care or know better about this sport. But they sure would (care) for something else that was near & dear to their hearts. Then again, as I often say, there is "no shortage"! The internet is alive & well & these folks will have LOTS of company, less game & more risk of injury. I'd like to see ANYONE, to try & convice a friend of mine otherwise, that lost his eye after being shot in the face while quail hunting... mostly due to LOTS of company!So you're right... we're NOT helpful! Frank

[elcerinal]

I'm not sure why the older members of this forum think that just because someone is new to the forum they are new to hunting. New outdoorsmen move to this state all the time. The problem with CA is that it is very unfriendly to hunters. Not only do non-hunters hate hunters, it seems that in CA hunters hate other hunters. Informing someone about legal areas to hunt is not the same as giving away secret hunting locations. I do appreciate the assistance from those who are on this forum to share information and experiences with other hunters. I thought that is what the forum was for.

[pete]

No one on here HATES you, yet. Its just annoying to have to tell poeple over and over the same thing they already knew. Our hunting spots and time to use them are very limited, so naturaly youll gaurd a precious thing very hard. And to clarify, honey holes that take years to find will give you a good trip if you dont see a single animal.

[beniflas]

Once you do find a honey hole you'll see why you need to be very careful of who you show it off to. I learned my lesson during the dove season opener....I introduced a friend and his buddy to a spot I had been scouting for awhile on the evening of the opener. The following afternoon my friends buddy brings 3 of his out of town friends along bragging about this great spot "WE" have and how its going to be a great hunt with birds falling out of the sky...I was tempted to take a shot at some low flying birds that day!

[rude robert]

Thanks Pete for your input, u said it well. This is one reason hunting is a dying sport, people get up set over stupid things, when as a new hunter, your a infant in an area where adults think you should be something else. I have no problem taking people with me at all, it is actually nice to split the fuel cost too. Especially since my truck only get 14 mpg. New hunters tying to help new hunters, yep, I can see the real future in that. So, all we can do is learn by ourselves and hope we don't make too many costly mistakes lol. Since, hunting is a dying sport so is gun ownership as well. This is why they are basically able to take more and more gun rights from us. NO one gives a hoot and what they have no idea on what they are loosing. I said it before, People go to work then home to the computer and tv, nothing else matters on what is taken away. They don't know camping or any other outside activity. This is why, if you don't teach new outdoors men the trade, how can any expect any other outcome. Bad hunters, they are not taught fair chase, because they are self taught. Or made to look stupid on things for which they ask for help on. Shake your heads at stupid questions, whatever happened to there are no stupid questions?? One bad hunter, whether in tend to be or not ruins it for everyone. So, let the new and informed hunters do just that! Lead by example, if you don't someone like me will try and do it. I will do it and hopefully I will not lead them astray. But, that is a possibility, being that I myself have very little experience. I have taken a few guys from work with me, but it is a learning experience for all of us. I shot a jackrabbit and the best I could do, was show My work mate, is how I dressed a deer, i did to the rabbit lol. Knife was way to big, but I did it. So what do You expect, invest nothing, get nothing. New hunters can be made every week, I waited for years to go hunting and then when I found this site I met someone from here that John had issues with. He was the only one to take a chance with me and he is a really nice guy but a bit crazy lol. Now that he moved back to his home state back east, I have tried to pass on what little I know, because I waited for years to meet hunters since my family is kind of like pete freaks lol

[Yateswell]

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him. Morals of the story: (1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy. (2) Not everyone who gets you out of poop is your friend.Just because someone does not tell you some hunting spots, doesn't mean they hate you.

[Frank]

So, all we can do is learn by ourselves and hope we don't make too many costly mistakes lol.

EXACTLY... Just like WE did... And why we just don't throw it ($$$) away... In other words, we had to E A R N it. Which seems to be a new concept for some. So... going by your remarks, you learned absolutely nothing on this forum?

[rude robert]

Darn it, pushed wrong button and lost it all. This months Sports Afield, on page 28 says. Two hard realities are facing us. A significant percentage of the current 30 million hunters in North America will die over the next fifteen to twenty years. Recruitment processes currently developed have little, if any, chance of replacing them. Then future down it says in my words because I am tired, we will continue to have less influence on social and political influence in the hunting community and also diminish support from the general public. Instead of, taking people to your good place scout out new areas, is that so bad, especially since you can split fuel cost and then pass on your knowledge. I am surprised at how many smart people are on this forum and yet can not figure out how to help new hunters! If you take a new hunter to an easy spot they will never get the whole effect of hunting any ways. It will be like a managed property where one will have 100% on taking game. You can find out if there attitude is something you like or dislike by how easy they give up or complain or whatever. Find a solution without giving up your sources. You can teach them like how to call for property ownership, teach to read a map, track clean fish, small game, whatever. Just sitting there shaking your head, has me shaking my head at you. Most people and new hunters never even heard of how to look for property listings or how to tell who owns what, or even how to even think of where or how to start. Mentorship!!!! How many of you men when your kids start to learn to read treat them like dummies for not knowing how to read already!

[mtn dog]

RR, you might be overlooking a TREND that's happening right here on CPC. The old guys, myself included, don't hate the new guys. We are not opposed to becoming mentors either. All we require is that the new guy demonstrate his willingness to EARN our help. The trend is for new guys to burst on the scene and start asking the "Where should I hunt" question in their very first post. If I were to give them the benefit of the doubt, they might have simply omitted telling us what effort they have already made to figure this out. They might only be guilty of having great enthusiasm. That's not a bad thing. However, they also MIGHT be lazy or have a sense of entitlement and expect something of value to be given for free. The kiss of death is when they prove they are all about taking shortcuts by writing their post in some kind of text-message shorthand. Seriously, folks... if a kid doesn't have the strength or energy to include punctuation or capital letters, why should we think he has the will power to try to do even a fraction of the work we did to get over the learning curve in this sport? Worse yet are the deliberate misspellings. There was a post the other day with the word "was" misspelled as "wuz". That's not shorthand and nobody is that stupid! He was using a trendy hip-hop style of anti-establishment ghetto-spelling - a classic example of not understanding his audience! If he really couldn't spell "was", I doubt he could read the DFG regulations or his firearm's safety manual either and, therefore, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near him out in the field! All we know about one another is based on what we post and how we say it. This is not English class but it is also not the welfare office or the county jail. We old guys simply want to see some evidence of respect. Asking for a hand-out on the first post gives the same poor impression as a bum begging with his cardboard sign. Actually, it might be a worse impression because the bums usually scribble "Will work for food" and that's more than some newbies imply. It is human nature to not value or respect that which is not earned. I wouldn't "give" any of my kids a car for fear it would be trashed. I would, however, help them earn it. Like the preacher says, "The Lord helps those who help themselves." Do you call God a hard-hearted hater? All we ask is a show of basic initiative and respect. A little humility opens a lot of doors. Imagine how far those same newbies would get if they approached ranchers and land-owners the same way they approach us on this forum! As to mentoring, I can tell you that some of the great predator hunting clubs have mentor programs and at least one of them does a 'Novice Hunt' every year, matching new hunters with some amazing experienced 'old' guys. All you need to do is make the effort to join and show honest interest. We aren't so structured here at CPC but the willingness to teach does exist when the student proves he will meet us half-way.

[Braz]

Well said Mtn Dog, well said indeed.

[Frank]

VERY well said, mtn dog... Even IF I could say it that well, I (obviously) no longer have the patience to do so. Your post would be a good one to be pinned some place & readily available for all to read. Especially for newbies &/or those thinking they have some sort of (un-earned & unappreciated) entitlement. Again, Great write up Frankp.s. Normally folks only "appreciate" (& respect) things, when they have to "pay" for it. Normally!

[mtn dog]

I'll never forget a garage sale I held years ago. In addition to the usual stuff I was selling, we had several boxes of clothes my kids had outgrown. If you are a parent, you know that kids outgrow their clothes faster than they can wear them out. Rather than try to price every item and hang them up for buyers to see, I just wrote "FREE" on the boxes and set them out on the driveway.Hours went by with lots of customers of all social levels but NOBODY bothered to even look in those boxes of FREE clothes. So, I got new boxes and wrote: "Any item - 25 Cents". It was amazing to watch the people going through those boxes after that. Every item, including some mismatched socks, was sold by the end of the day.When it was "FREE", people assumed it was worthless crap.

[Braz]

[ShooterJohn]

Mtn-dog

[rude robert]

Growing up, I was taught if you had a earring in your ear you must be gay, how many of you have earrings? Can you tell the how nice a person is or isn't by the way he wrights, all the time? Do as you wish, but don't go crying when you see your rights slip away, the younger generation doesn't care. I for one are not blaming them at all.