16 replies to this topic

[MonkeyChunks]

I am Looking to take part in the spring turkey hunt but heres my problem. I live in San Diego and my closest hhunting area is Palomar Mountains. I have hunted there in teh past for coyotes and Rabbits with little to no success, Now that iam thinking of Turkey hunting i need someone fam,iliar with teh area who is willing to take me along and show me the ropes, I am good for gas money or can meet you at a designated area. anyone out there looking to chase some gobblers in Palomar let me know.

[jawbreaker]

Just go up ther on a weekend, there will be a ton of other guys out there to hunt with, it's more crowded than deer season.

[sportyg]

truer words have never been spoken

[fakawee]

It's going to be tough out there on public lands. If you did your homework and found out where the birds are going to be during the season, then your half way to getting that bird you want. I guarantee you that birds you saw in an area during the off season, will not be there this Saturday. Good luck and be safe because a whole lot of other hunters will be out there with you.

[Braz]

And remember do not wear any red or blue as those are turkey colors. You sure don't want to be shot.

[MonkeyChunks]

I thinki will head out onthe 14th, i have a buddy lined up and were gonna hunt land that overlaps pig and turkey in order to maximize our efforts.I have my orange lined up no camo for me. I have herd too many horror stories about being shot in the ass.

[grant.ray]

Hi. I was thinking of heading to the Cleveland NF myself, just west of Cuyamaca where I've seen turkey in the area, as well as plenty of deer and generally good habitat for hunting. That said, the Santa Ysabel topo map of the National Forest area is almost completely grayed out, indicating the majority of the NF land on the map is actually private and therefor illegal to hunt without ownership permission. Frankly, I'm a little confused how such a massive area can be considered National forest, yet privately owned. I just moved west to Culver City in October from New York, and the way the Cleveland NF is "public" yet gobbled up with huge tracts of wealthy private ownership is incredibly similar to the so-called Adirondank "Park."SInce I can't seem to get a ranger on the phone, and the even though the area still offers a sprinkling of decent public spots for possible turkey habitat, the topo map's info is now over 15 years old. Am I wasting time with the Santa Ysabel quadrant due to the potential danger of unknowingly trespassing?Thanks.-Grant

[Marlin55]

Hi Grant. If you have not already I would buy a Cleveland National Forest Atlas and the Cleveland National Forest Recreation folding map. They have the most recent boundaries of the forest. I live in El Cajon and also frequent the CNF for hiking and hunting and those USGS maps tend to be out dated regarding property boundaries but the CNF maps are recent and the atlas doubles as a Topo. I usually call the ranger offices and have no problem getting some one on the phone to answer a few questions, I usually call mid morning during the week days. Hope this helps and yes the CNF is spotted with Private land but there are some good spots open to us public guys. Good luck.

[stevoe0970]

Also, if you have either an Iphone or a Garmin GPS, they sell digital maps for the various counties. I believe I paid around $20 for the firearm map for San Diego in the Iphone App Store. The maps for the Garmin GPS are more expensive around $60.

[MonkeyChunks]

Thanks guys i have a pretty good idea where i will head out to and i will be teaming up with my buddy Kal that i met on the forum so i will keep you uys posted if i have any luck.

[Air Rifle Hunter]

I'm going to try and do the same and head out to try for Turkey sometime in the next week or two. It just depends on my schedule. I'd rather go out during the week when there will be fewer trigger happy hunters out in the field. So far it's Turkeys -1 and Me -0. I'm hoping to change that soon.

[grant.ray]

I would buy a Cleveland National Forest Atlas and the Cleveland National Forest Recreation folding map. They have the most recent boundaries of the forest...

Thanks for the tip. I'll be looking into picking up both.

[DanSandiego]

Hi, Can I join in on your turkey hunt? I am local to the San Diego area (Scripps Ranch). I have my license, upland bird stamp, box call and Benelli Nova. However, I haven't been able to comfortably find public land. I have the US Forest Service Cleveland National Forest (Palomar and Descanso Ranger Districts) 2010 map. Theoretically they say I can hunt anywhere that is a shade of green on the map. However, I'd rather be overly cautious on my first public land hunt and gain the guidance of more experienced hunters. I'm not asking for anyone to tell me their favorite hunting spot, but just a legal hunting spot.All the best,Dan (San Diego) Schmitt

[DanSandiego]

Coincidence would have it that I now have next week off (vacation). So I will try to find public land on both Mt. Palomar and Julian area. Let me know if anyone wants to go along. I will be going out Monday-Friday (should be good since rain is expected through Saturday afternoon).Dan San Diego

[bowlfrogg]

ive got 2 birds this season on public land. one opeing day and one monday!!!

[Marlin55]

ive got 2 birds this season on public land. one opeing day and one monday!!!

Congratulations! I was just wondering how it went calling them in? I am just wondering because I was out on Monday and the ones I found were not very skittish. They of course went the other way but I was able to stand about 15 yards away and they just stopped and stared at me. Just my luck, they were out of season hens but still was cool none the less.

[bowlfrogg]

Calling in was great. what are you using? and remember hens don't really respond to the Hen calls, just the jakes and the Toms! but the Clucks and Putts are the best to call in a big tom. short clucks and high putts gett em running!