4 replies to this topic

[courtmichael]

Who already try this area? any success? im trying to find the boundaries cuz im a little confused. Never hunt in that area. so i take any advice

[WildassJoe]

Hi Michael... I'm hunting that area this year... first time hunting it... so all I have are tips from a hiker who seen deer on his hikes... If I get any solid leads I'll post! I plan on hunting above Ojai in the los padres national forest... I will be up there every available day I can... so maybe I'll see ya around... good luck!

[WildassJoe]

I hunted opening day and found tracks and deer sign near the Rose camping area... the middle lion camping zone looks really good to and there is water running steady in the creek...
plan on hunting tomorrow... the rain might help hide me a bit...

[KernRiverArcher]

if you went, how did it go Joe? i got a tag last year but never got the chance to hunt it... ive actually seen a nice herd holding a spike and a nice 2 x 2, along with a few other does on the 150 going to lake casitas from ojai.

[WildassJoe]

Hi KRA, sorry for the delay response...
Opening Day- I started at Rose Valley Camp and hike up the locked forest service gate. (didn't know you get the code for the gate lock from the forest ranger station by registering and telling them you're going up there)...to hiked up hunted it found some sign and prints near the camp... but as I hiked up and it's is very very steep and crazy ... I saw tracks and deer sign but did not see any animals except squirrels LoL... So the first time round I hiked it till I got really tired and then walked back down... got to camp ate and rested and then a couple of guys came by and opened the gate and by chance I asked and they told me what the code was etc.. so the second time around I drove up to Nordoff Ridge and drove up to past the 5000 ft mark and it was an amazing 4x4 ride tell ya that!! WOW! crazy steep... and a crazy 4x4 only road... once up there I saw bear scar and amazing views. I can see the ocean and the channels islands... amazing I'll tell ya... the hunting here s extreme and difficult... and if you make a mistake well, you can die. It's a simple as that... I then came down and then drove to "middle lion" camp ground and hiked up the creek and again saw no animals.. that pretty much ended the day overlooking "piedras blancas" rock formation... it was an awesome day and I learned alot about this area...
next hunt I hunted another direction toward the creek and walk up to the waterfalls... amazing views...
went again and actually
I'm going tomorrow morning... 11/23...
I'll post a few pics thank you for asking...