8 replies to this topic

[TheRoman1]

Hey all, I'm brand new to the forum but from reading through everyone's stuff it seems there's a pretty good bunch of experienced hunters in here. So here's my deal: I'm new to hunting, though I've gone on an overnight coyote hunt in the Mojave with a local club as well as checked out a few local spots for rabbits and such (Cleveland NF [Trabuco district], San Jacinto WA). I'm dying to really get some worthwhile experience under my belt with hunting jackrabbits, though. I've read tons, but need to build that real in-the-field intuition. It feels like all the info I've read is somehow meaningless when I step into a new landscape.I've spent some hours before dark wandering the San Jacinto Wildlife Area in Moreno Valley and only saw one distant jack - too far to nail with my 12ga. I'm eager to put in some more hours but I would really love to partner up with someone more experienced who I can school off of. If you're in the area and want to nail some bunnies, please drop me a line and we'll set a day. If anyone's interested, I'm free all day Friday and most of Saturday this weekend - anyone want to team up for an overnighter to the Mojave? I've got a 22LR and a 12gauge, so rabbits only. Or if someone local wants to hit up the San Jacinto WA Friday night and/or Saturday morning, thatd be cool too. I also know some folks who own a small ranch near Lake Matthews who let me use the hills behind their house to shoot bunnies. Let me know, guys. Any of those trips would be great for me. Hope to hear from y'all soon.--DaveCorona, CA

[Bozsik]

We have a large number of members in the SoCal area. I am East of Sacramento and do almost all of my hunting in the US. It is a 2 hour drive for me to reach the nearest state - NV. Someone here should be more helpful, and welcome to the forum.db

[Frank]

First, Welcome to the Forum, Dave... A great place to hang out. Well, since I do not hunt thumper, I'm afraid I won't be much help... even though I do see some while predator hunting. Along with reading through all the (archive) posts here, just keep on researching like you are, making phone calls (to F&G, BLM etc), buying maps & above all just getting out there and doing it. A few areas that you might consider are the Mojave Preserve, Barstow, areas east of San Diego including Salton Sea area, Los Padres forest & BLM lands near the coast from Ventura to San Luis Obispo east to hwy 5, Owens Valley, all the lower elevations north & east of Big Bear... for starters!All The BestFrank

[TheRoman1]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Those areas all sound generally fine. I've been meaning to get down near Salton Sea and check out some of those inland parts of San Duego county. I've been through Anza Borego before and that place is a paradise. I also here Imperial Valley has got some nice hunter-friendly sites for quail and pheasant shooting, which I intend to try out come season. I got an amazing PDF from fish and game that lists a million public lands throughout California and what species they contain, so perhaps I'll keep ploughing through that sucker. To Frank: when you see Jacks is it nearly always at night? Is it possible to kick 'em up during the heat of the day?

[Frank]

Dave, I'm sure I've seen more rabbits at night while driving to or from a hunting area, however, I still see enough in the early mornings & late afternoons of daylight hours. I actually do not hunt at night & yet see them during the day in other words.If my lousy memory serves me right, last year was not real good for numbers of rabbits, however, last year was one of my worse yrs ever for getting out. Hopefully this yr will be better. Good LuckFrank

[shooter65]

I have an interest.PM me and we will see if we can work out the details.Where are you located at?

[joneser5000]

I got an amazing PDF from fish and game that lists a million public lands throughout California and what species they contain, so perhaps I'll keep ploughing through that sucker.

How about sharing that PDF file with the rest of us

[Bozsik]

I have the booket in printed form. Most of those areas are heavily hunted and have few yotes, rabbits, or g. squirrels. But give them a try in your area, you may get lucky.dbThe DFG site is: http://www.dfg.ca.go...s/wa/index.html

[TheRoman1]

Here's the DFG webpage that contains the PDF document: http://www.dfg.ca.go...ing/uplandgame/ It's "The Guide to Hunting Quail in California." I find this thing to be very helpful as the last 40 pages or so contain numerous locations throughout California that are recommended for hunting quail. You'll notice that the pages also contain information on other species to be found, the routes to reach the location, as well as a list of maps (BLM, National Forests Service, and Geographical Survey) that contain the location.There's also the Guide to Hunting Wild Turkey right underneath the Quail Guide; I'm sure that has some great stuff in it, too.