17 replies to this topic

[Lone Wolf]

Hey Everyone,

Im new to the forum and this is my first post! After messing around and missing my chance to get a D7 tag this year, where I have hunted since I was a little kid, Im going to try my luck in D8. I plan to go up above Springville in the Camp Nelson area and higher. Me and my hunting buddy went up a couple of weeks ago to scout out areas to camp and hunt. We went up 30 minutes past camp nelson and scouted out places. Within 10 minutes of parking the truck we came across momma bear and her two cubs 75 yards away! we had a little stare down for a couple minutes and then she wondered back up into the brush. 2 hours later we came into an open meadow with lots of bear scat and fresh water. When walking up to the water we jumped a big black bear probably 200+ pounds and he ran up a tree about 60 feet off the ground! Through out the day we seen lots of signs of bear, but not a single sign or track from deer!! We were at about 7200'. Im guessing We should go a bit higher at this time for them. If any of you guys or gals have any tips or advice for the area it would be greatly appreciated!

P.S.

Im definitely getting a bear tag now

[Frank]

not a single sign or track from deer

That's probably because the bears ate them all.... (j.k... sorta!)

I'm not familiar with the D8 zone for deer, so I honestly can't help on that, other than it sounds like you have the right idea of possibly going a bit higher... Often times deer can be at higher elevations, especially in warm(er) temps.

Anyway, welcome to the forum, and good luck on your hunts

[whatjeffhunts]

I hunter that exact area in 2009. Between Camp Nelson and Quaking Aspins camp ground. Lots of huge medows up there and yes tons of bear. I couldent connect with a bear or deer though, only a few days to hunt that year. The locals at the returant/bar in camp Nelson were really nice, and provided lots of info about the area.

[Lone Wolf]

Thanks for the advice. Didnt get to stop at camp nelson but this weekend i might have to stop in and pick their brains!

[Broncowilly]

Try Hume Lake area. D8 is vast and there are only a few good spots. Tobias Creek, Frog Meadow and the Basket Pass are descent for deer and better for bear but be aware, opener is like LA traffic X 10!

[Lone Wolf]

Is it really that packed up there? Is it packed up in the Hume lake area or Above springville off of 190? I was planning on heading up past camp nelson off of 190.

[Broncowilly]

There will be a lot of people at Hume and Greenhorn at the places I mentioned on opening weekend. It falls off considerably in the week or two after the opener. Springville, Nelson area probably won't be as bad but there will still be a lot of people up there. I don't even hunt the opener anymore. I won't go until a week or two after and then only during the middle of the week. I hate people!

[whatjeffhunts]

I used to work at Hume, and I prefer the springville area better for hunting, less people. If you really want to get away from people go up Sherman Pass rd above Johnsondale. Great views too

[Broncowilly]

Good point. One has to drive nearly to the top to get into a good area but it supports a good buck population. Up there you have to be very careful not to cross over into X10. The boundry is not all that clear as land markers go. When I was up there last year even the Warden wasn't exact about the D8/X10 boundry.

[Caneman]

pretty sure D8 boundary on the east side is the south fork of the kern river...

[Broncowilly]

(A) Area: In those portions of Fresno, Kern and Tulare counties within a line beginning at the intersection of Highway 99 and the Kings River; upstream and northeast along the Kings River through Reedley, Piedra and Pine Flat Reservoir to the junction of the Middle and South Forks of the Kings River; northeast along the Middle Fork Kings River to the Dusy Basin Trail; east along this trail to the Kings Canyon National Park boundary at Bishop Pass; south along the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park boundaries to the Main Kern River; southeast along the Main Kern River and the common boundary between the Inyo and Sequoia National Forests to the end of the Chimney Meadow-Blackrock Station Road (Forest Road 21S03) near Blackrock Mountain; southeast along the Chimney Meadow-Blackrock Station Road through Troy Meadows to the South Fork of the Kern River; south along the South Fork of the Kern River to the Doyle Ranch Road; south along the Doyle Ranch Road to Highway 178 in the town of Onyx; southwest along Highway 178 to Highway 99 at Bakersfield; north along Highway 99 to the point of beginning.

Once you are acually up there it is a bit confusing if you are not familiar with the area.

[DirtyDave]

Up there you have to be very careful not to cross over into X10. The boundry is not all that clear as land markers go. When I was up there last year even the Warden wasn't exact about the D8/X10 boundry.

pretty sure D8 boundary on the east side is the south fork of the kern river...

Yes the boundary is the south fork of the kern river. Dont cross it and you will stay in D8

[Lone Wolf]

There will be a lot of people at Hume and Greenhorn at the places I mentioned on opening weekend. It falls off considerably in the week or two after the opener. Springville, Nelson area probably won't be as bad but there will still be a lot of people up there. I don't even hunt the opener anymore. I won't go until a week or two after and then only during the middle of the week. I hate people!

Thanks for the info. Im going to hunt the opener just because I Havent gotten out in the last 2 years its been killin me. But, I have talked to some local guys from the springville area real familiar with the area and they have pointed me in a good direction to try and stay away from people but who knows how that will go. I wont be able to head up friday night but I plan on leaving early enough on saturday to make the morning hunt. I will let you all know how I came out.

I used to work at Hume, and I prefer the springville area better for hunting, less people. If you really want to get away from people go up Sherman Pass rd above Johnsondale. Great views too

Ya, I have heard alot of people talk about that area. I wont make it up that far this weekend, but if im unsuccessfull I will definitely give it a go up there. Thanks again for the input!

Anyone hear anything good about D7 opening weekend?

[Caneman]

my bad... the eastern D8 boundary is very confusing... basically from the North it follows the North Fork of the Kern River southward (which most folks just call the Kern River), until it hits FS Road 21S03 (runs by Blackrock Mountain and the Blackrock Trail Head), then when it hits Blackrock Ranger Station is follows Sherman Pass Rd down through Troy Meadows until it hits the South Fork of the Kern River at Kennedy Meadows, then follows the South Fork to HWY 178... you really have to study the map on this one because to me it was very confusing, hope that makes sense! Good hunting everyone, enjoy, and be safe...

[Broncowilly]

Thanks Caneman. As I said, unless you are familiar with the area you better make damn sure you find out. To say just follow the river and don't cross it isn't good enough.

[crespoh69]

Just got back from D8 yesterday, lots of gunshots...no bucks though. We camped out at the redwood meadow campgrund and hunted on both sides without seeing anything

[Caneman]

I went up there opening day also... got to my spot at first light and after about 30' jumped 4 deer in a small draw, one was a 3 point... before I could make them out and knew what happened they vanished, it all happened so fast! Nothing the rest of the day, maybe heard 4 or 5 shots within a few miles of my position, did not see any bucks hanging up at the numerous deer camps...

[Lone Wolf]

I was only able to make it up (D8) Yesterday due to work. But same as caneman we were headin to our spot just after first light. Jumped 2 doe out that ran across the trail right in front of us. There was a third animal but I never got a good look at it. Tried to stalk it down but was unable to. We headed to the spot we had scouted out in previous weeks, LOTS of good signs of deer and bear but didnt see a single animal the rest of the mornin. Headed up a little higher in the afternoon, but the winds were swirling so hard that im guessin they all bedded down. Seen two hunters headed down in the afternoon with a forkie and the other a nice 3x3. Gonna try my luck again, Hoping to make a good 2-3 day hunt coming up in a week or so.