9 replies to this topic

[daringescape]

Hi all,

I'm brand new to hunting, but have been wanting to get into it for a while now. I have my father-in-law showing me some of the ropes - but he has hunted for 50+ years and doesn't get out as much anymore.

I am very interested in small game - dove, quail, pheasant, etc., as well as rabbit. Anyways, I am looking for someone local that would be willing to let me come along on a trip and learn a bit more.

I also have a 1 year old beagle/basset mix that I would like to train as well, but I think that may not be a great idea until I have a bit more experience under my belt.

I live in West Covina (between LA and the IE). I'm and honest, drug free family man who just wants to get out and have a good time.

let me know if any of you guys would be willing to work with a newbie.

Thanks!

Russ

[Rob]

Welcome to the forum. There is a wealth of information posted already for you enjoyment.
I would expect that you have got your basic training training completed for the State.
Once you got your ticket (license) GPS/Maps are very important.
In your free time, I would investigate what you might need in a back pack for personal comfort & survival.
The Calif Dept of Fish and Game conduct very interesting hunter education classes and is a great place to meet other guys.
I attended a wild boar clinic at Tejon Ranch in August. 45 guys were there all with the same intent.
Cheers

[Frank]

Welcome to the forum, Russ...

Well, learning this stuff on your own without a mentor does make it more challenging, but of course still very do-able. Just keep leaning on your father-in-law, maybe plan a hunt or two together. Forums like this, as Rob stated, is a great source of info; outside of asking for exact hunting locations that is. lol The more folks you talk to and other sources of info &/or organizations all helps, including gatherings such as Rob mentioned above. And of course just plain ole "doing it" / getting out in the field to hunt. Oh, & (BLM / Forestry) maps are always a must.

The only other thing I can say is, that you omitted (probably by accident / lol) the best critter of all to hunt. And that is "coyotes"! Now I am about to get flak for that again, but I'm getting used to it. Hmmm, getting to like it actually! LOL (just kidding).

Good Luck and keep us posted

[daringescape]

Thanks for the welcome!

I have already been scouring this forum (and others) looking for advice and info, and have found a bunch. I also went ahead and got shooting maps for my phone and iPad from these guys: firearmsmaps.com - pretty cool info to have.

As for survival, I have been hiking and camping quite a bit, so I'm not new at that. I have an RV, and we spend at least 2 weeks every year camping and fishing - this year I actually spent a month camping in the sierras at June Lake. I'm pretty familiar with a lot of that area from lone pine to tioga pass, I've just never hunted it, only fished.

I will definitely keep at the learning, and try to get out as much as possible, I work from home, so that affords me a few luxuries, like going to the range during work hours : )

[Frank]

I love June Lake, and is basically our 2nd home. Or is at least what we call it anyhow. We've been going there for decades & is definitely one of the gems of our state. Just don't let too many folks know that though. LOL

Probably the best critters to hunt in that area is deer. There are other birds and animals of course, but just not in high numbers. The country between Lone Pine & Bishop would be better for rabbits, quail and chukar, although the Mammoth airport area can produce some decent rabbit hunting also.

Funny about the survival part, as some of my deer hunts (almost) literally turned into just that. One deer hunting partner in particular had to be semi rescued more than once (hypothermia & lost in severe weather), & always stated ours were not deer hunts, but survival trips. Which they sure can become in a hurry. Perhaps is why I quit deer hunting, eh? lol (not really)!

[daringescape]

Frank, thats awesome that you've been going there for that long! My profile pic is from actually out on June. We've been going for the past 8 years, and my in laws for probably about 20. We may have even been up there at the same times. With June Mountain ski area closing, I hope that town doesn't fare to bad. We usually stay in the Golden Pine campground near Gull, but that may change since the staff that has been there for the past few years isn't doing such a great job IMHO.

I was thinking that there may be some quail, dove and even rabbit out between mono lake and down to Crowley - is that not true? I guess there may be a fair amount of snow during the bird seasons, though.

Im definitely not opposed to hunting the lone pine/bishop area either.

To be honest, I don't think I'm too interested in deer, though that could change. I hope that I don't have any bird or rabbit hunts that turn into survival situations! lol I do try to keep enough supplies in my pack to pull a Les Stroud if I HAD to.

[KNOCKED UP]

Welcome to the Forum Russ,
Hang around, and join in.
I always tell the new guys,
There is a wealth of information, and wisdom on this site.
We cover all the bases.
Tom

[Frank]

Russ, there are rabbits from Mono lake to Crowley. There are dove and quail also, but I've seen &/or heard very few of them myself. There are grouse in the Crowley and especially Bodie hills area, but is a special drawing for those.

Ya know, when I drove the June lake loop this last October, it was a ghost town. Friend & I could not believe it. It is normally a slower, more enjoyable (to me) time of year then, but we've never seen it that dead. Believe there were 2 trailers at the Silver lake trailer park and the town had (almost) only a few construction workers. Closing the ski lift certainly didn't help matters. The condo rentals made their most $$ off the skiers, and is when their rates are the highest time of year. Scarey, what is happening there!

[Bisley]

Im definitely not opposed to hunting the lone pine/bishop area either.

I'll save you some time and (gas) money, stay either North or South of that area, there's nothing there even worth mentioning. Zero rabbits. Never seen quail there yet. Chukar, hah, they don't even exist, just stories old bird hunters make up to mess with new bird hunters. Never heard a coyote call once, not even at night, there. I have seen one or two ducks there before though, but nothing worth mentioning.

The only other thing I can say is, that you omitted (probably by accident / lol) the best critter of all to hunt.

Amen Frank, how could any self respecting hunter leave out CHUKAR
Shooting a canine is fine, but even better is a ground full of feathers!

[modoc squeek shooter]

Welcome Russ to the forum. I am sure you will enjoy it here, great group of guys and a few gals. You might want to look in squeek shooting in northeast Cal. lol no secrets about hunting places when you shoot squeeks and there are plenty to go around. The great part of it is you are doing the land owners a service, not to mention that you are feeding the raptors, sea gulls and assorted varmints. And since you have an RV all you need is a rimfire rifle maybe a small caliber centerfire rifle a set of shooting stixs or portable bench and money for fuel and ammo. Lol I am a squeek shooting son of a gun, heck I even dream about it.

Sorry Frank, I do agree the coyote is a wiley opponet but I feel the squeek (Belding Ground Squirrel) is the most addicting little creature that The Almighty put on this earth. Hell he was made to be shot lol. Nothing more fun than making squeeks fly! Ed