blacktail season is open!

[bayhunter]

Just wanted to say good luck to all california bowhunters, the blacktail deer season opened yesterday, hope everyone has a great season, and of course don't forget to post your stories and pics on tradgang!  

[YORNOC]

I love this site. Thanks Matt, I didnt consider hunting seasons opening yet. Although my deer dont open till Oct. 15th, this gave me a jump start. Going to shoot a few broadhjeads now!

[Blacktail101]

Thanks i have been hearing some good feed back from some of the locals and seeing it for myself due to late rains and good feed that the bucks look very healthy this year again so im looking foward to getting out there we open up on the ocean side the 23rd of this month thanks again

[KevO]

That seems so strange to me to be hunting big-game in July!

[cacciatore]

This is a real opportunity!

[Blacktail101]

I know all about that strange feeling. My first time i went to Nebraska for white tails and it snowing and i was shooting doe's i felt like a outlaw i kept looking over my shoulder for wild justice i have never shot a doe before . July is hot and dry all you can hear is crackle crackle we dont get to hunt in the rut unless you get a special draw

[Tony Z]

Hey guys, just curious. How do you hunt 'em out there ? On that show Wild Justice it looked really open, seemed like it could be tough.

[KevO]

Here in the mid-west, I think the heat, humidity, & mosquitoes would drive a bowhunter insane in July.  I went to a 3D shoot yesterday & was dripping wet w/in a few minutes.  The bucks are not done w/ antler development either.

[Zbearclaw]

Pretty much anywhere in the A zone (what opened here this weekend) is going to be hot and buggy except those that can hunt the ridges that dump directly into the pacific.  The ocean breezes keep it all pretty comfy.  

I won't get to hunt until later (5 week old babygirl) but can't wait to see some Ca tradbow trophies!

Good luck guys!

[snag]

Hunting for blacktails in July...doesn't seem right.

[legends1]

California is the odd state when it comes to deer season.It is what it is.Scent is a large issue because your always sweating,even when on stands.I hunt the Sierra season,It opens August 20. Temperature is a bit cooler and lots of pines and meadows.Much easier to manage meat after the harvest.The high country bucks are a hy- bred, blacktail/mule.Cant wait to see Cali. Buck pic's .Good luck Cali.hunters.

[snag]

Now you're talking my language Legends1. High country and cooler temps.

[coaster500]

I think it's the toughest hunt on the planet            I lived in northern California for 26 years and hunted there the same....  The summer heat is the rough part. You need to scout an area and know what the deer are doing. I glass and watch to see where they bed, then try to get above them and pull off a sneak. Sometimes late morning to early afternoon the deer will move to a different bedding place as the sun exposes the one they are in. If you can pattern that move you can set up an abush.

July is a rough month to hunt but we get two tags and a very long season so I think it's great!!!

Our archery season defines the term HOT!!!!! Hunt...

Just remember your odorless sun screen  

[KentuckyTJ]

Wow! Here we go.

[Blacktail101]

It is so tuff its a spot and stalk game for me i get to a high point then get the spoting scope  out and start watching sooner or later they will get up to stretch or feed and then game on ! using the wind and topography start working your way toward your game like a navy seal trying to be undetected . I rarely wear shoes always in my socks they make less noise. The wind is a big part of your stalk being on a level playing field as your game it makes it rough there is alot of belly crawling and hide and seek going on. The temps range from 70's but reaching in the high 90's at times so being in shape really helps .  There are alot of blown stalks but the spot and stalk method goes for bear pigs and deer.

[legends1]

Snag,when i say cooler its still in the high 80's. I have been very successful here in California.I know the area i hunt very well and hunt from a treestand like you would in the eastern states.I have taken alot off the ground aswell but i find it best from the treestand.The key is to know the pattern of the deer in the area you hunt.When choosing a tree for a stand you want to set it up so that you are in the shad through out the day.If you dont choose wisly you find yourself with the hot sun beating on you.A added plus though in the august season is that you have a very good chance to shoot a bear too.I have shot most of my bears out of a treestand while deer hunting.

[Blacktail101]

Im going to try the tree stand this year i have one set up in a target in riched area

[smilinicon]

Hunting story season begins!

Best of luck to all that are going.