8 replies to this topic

[acewhite]

Plans to hunt an old employees fathers ranch outside of Petaluma fell through, so last week I was scrambling with maps looking for a decent area to hunt deer on opening day. I came up with a spot outside of Cayuma, and after scouting on Friday it looked promising as I spotted about a half dozen Doe. After a restless night of sleep I woke up before dawn and headed up to my area. Things looked promising as I spotted the Does once again as they headed up the hillside. Then the opening day crowd started showing up. Car after truck after quad cruising down the canyon. From what I could tell the Does spooked and headed over the ridge into some steep terrain and I never saw them again. Fair enough, so I set up camp and waited for the evening hunt. About 4 pm, and probably after many beers, the group camped down the canyon decided to target practice, with an obvious rock behind their target cuz rounds were winging thru the canyon. Long story short someone ended up shot. Paramedics, Forest Service and Police vehicles made their way into the canyon, and any hopes of deer in the vicinty were defintely squashed between target practice and traffic. While I enjoyed the hunt, everytime you learn someting new, I could've done without the added drama. Sometimes you cant escape it, even in the "wilderness".
Here's hoping the rest of the season won't be so busy-

[Braz]

Just goes to show if you got guns in camp, there shoulnd't be any alcohol. It oley takes one idiiot to hve too much and do something stupid. Alcohol and gunpowder just don't mix at all.

[MonkeyChunks]

Drinking and guns man, the number one way to get shot or accidentally shoot someone is when you combine the two.
Hunting should be done drug and alcohol free, too many risks involved to take chances. Why now ait until the hunt is over to enjoy a well deserved beer? People always need something to "make things interesting or more funn" Bull poop. Drink in the comfort of your house or bar but leave the hunting for the real men who can go 12 hours without a beer.
Glad your ok man, rounds have a funny way of hitting things miles away.
Better luck somewhere else, bad karma there.

[KNOCKED UP]

I hate to hear that,
You would think that would be the first thing they should
remember from hunters safety class.
I took mine (Hunters Safety) more than 55 years ago, and they even STRESSED it then.
I will be hunting d5 this weekend, I hope they don't get drunk and start flinging arrows.
But then, I don't think there will be to many people where I hunt.
Tom

[bretmoua]

Some people just have no common sense. Honestly, I hate people like that who just goes out for the heck of it and ruins everyone's chances of getting a nice buck. Sorry you had to experience that and good luck on your next hunt.

[rustygun]

Hope you have a much better time your next time out. You need to get fare away from the idiots that screw up outings for the responsible hunters out there.

[BearWhoHunts]

I went out this weekend to two different places in A zone. The first area is flat w/ lots of roads but holds a good amount of deer for most of the year. We were the ONLY non road hunters we saw. We planned according to the road hunters and set up shop where we figured the deer would be pushed through from all the commotion. We encountered a doe and a spike there and decided to head away from the crowds. By mid day we had our bikes set up and were heading out a closed road. About a two miles in, the human footprints disappeared and it was just us back there. We spooked a doe and fawn on our bike in and did not happen upon another deer for the next 36 hours. It was the perseid meteor showers over the weekend which made for some spectacular views. There were only 4 shots were heard

Ace- I am sorry to hear about your opening weekend. This is my first time going out on opening weekend since I was younger. I remember it being something like what you described (minus the gunshot wound). I hope that person recovers fully but that the experience sits with the group forever. I also wish you the best of luck for the rest of the season-

Bear

[acewhite]

Im headed back out later this week- hopefully the opening day kooks have gotten the "fun" out of their system and I can find me a healthy buck

[rustygun]

Really hope you have better luck this time out. Stay far away from any kooks that still may be out.