Hey guys,

I know it's the day before opener, but I'm kinda drawing a blank lol.

So I'm pretty new to California, only out here from May-November for a seasonal job working in national parks. Lately I've been a bit homesick, so decided to take on the headache that is hunting in a state where I'm not a resident lol.

Made the journey over to reno to get a shotgun and jump all the California hoops, got everything I need to get out there, but just can't decide on a good place to hunt dove. I cover lots of ground for my job so I figured scouting would happen naturally, but I haven't seen many. I've got pins for a dozen or more coveys of quail on public land, but not a clue where to go sit down and put out a mojo dove.

I've been considering Tehama Wildlife Area as it's only 30-40 minutes away, but admittedly haven't done any scouting there. I'm in Mineral if that's any help, not asking for honeyholes but any advice for after work shooting spots or weekend trips would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance 🤙

Showed up at 5am. Deer decided to start moving around at 1045. It was already 90 out and my shade was gone. Only does. Man this zone is tuff.

Any thoughts on this?

What hunts do you have planned for Fall and Winter that you’re excited for?

Obviously the dove opener is just a few days away and that’s always a good time with friends.

I’m planning a trip into the Sierras to look for ptarmigan and maybe a trip into Nevada for sooty grouse.

I’m also taking my old man to CWA’s duck camp in November since he hasn’t been behind a shotgun in what feels like twenty years, plus one or two excursions in NorCal for wood duck specifically. Later in the season I’m going to try some layouts for geese.

Let’s hear what y’all got in store 🤙

Hey guys, I'm a new hunter and this is going to be my first dove season. During my scouting trip yesterday, I found a few IID fields that are clearly posted for public hunting but I'm not sure how you would you park a car near these fields since the dirt bank is so narrow. Moreover, when looking at other IID lands, it's not always clear whether or not you can access a field because of certain roads becoming private property. As of now, I'm currently considering the Finney-Ramer unit, but I just want to confirm that you don't need to pay for a pass or sign in at the CDFW office. However, if anyone has any advice for finding other huntable fields in the general area, I'd appreciate the advice.

Also, I do use OnX and wouldn't be opposed to BLM land, however it seems like most of them are bordering private property and can't be easily accessed.

I’ll be hunting in San Diego county (D-16) and I’d like to ask if anyone knows any places around here that can process game meat. I assume there must be places around Escondido, Valley Center, Ramona, or maybe Fallbrook. Let me know if you know any!

Vortex spotting scope for sale.

Vortex diamondback 16-48x65mm angled spotting scope. $300

The phone mount is included

Ill add the tripod in for $450

Located in San Diego county

New to California and just read the pinned post. I finished hunter education last spring before moving here and was hoping to get deer tags this season. I'm interested in D6, and see that it is an unrestricted area for 2026, but this document doesn't list it as having tags available.
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=30896&inline

Does this mean that even thought it is unrestricted, that all of the D6 deer tags have been claimed for this year?

All ideas, suggestions, etc. very welcome. https://theduckchugger.com/roadless/

70gr Barnes TSX out of a 20" barrel to the dome did the trick from 40yds~.

You can explore the write up + the data here, note there is a link to the actual explorer within the write up: https://theduckchugger.com/refuge-success/

So I've never hunted in California before and want to get into it. I already took my hunters education course and was wondering if there's anything I need to know in particular? The zone areas and what is needed per zone still kind of confuses me. Why do I need a different permit for type a & b? Is that tied into zones?

Apologies for any stupid questions but I am fairly new to hunting in California.

Thank you in advance!

What’s up fellas, this year is my first attempt at getting into hunting, I know zero people that hunt, I am not from an area particularly friendly to hunting, but I’ve always wanted to get into it so this year I decided screw it, bought myself a D3-5 tag, did some lookin around on onX, and decided to go checkout a spot in the Momelumne wilderness area I thought looked neat, it went comically bad… the “road” out was basically 5 miles of rock crawling, and the two days worth of backpacking I put in yielded me zero evidence deer even exist in the area I was looking. Any advice on what to look for in the d3-5 region or what altitudes to bother with, or how to figure out if that random forest service road is actually an u undercover extreme 4wd trail would be greatly appreciated. At this point I’m considering just driving up there, pulling over randomly every 15 minutes havin a look around and continuing on my way…

When e-scouting an area far from where you live, how do you research water sources? Do you strictly go based on what’s on Google Maps, OnX, etc…or have you found resources like hydrological surveys?

If you know you know. Got up there day after opener, saw one potential buck that disappeared into a scorched brushy hell hole, tried to glass em up, by the time morning was over it was already too hot. First hunt I went home early for so far. Good luck to all you brush apes out there, also shout-out to the guys in white chevy S10s trying to spotlight deer in the middle of goat mountain road last night. Good work fellas. Here's to the B zone opener...

Who else is going for the opener this weekend? First time going and I’m pretty excited. I’m hoping it’s not going to be too busy. Planning on camping right outside of FHL property and starting at hunt area 1. Anyone else camping out?

Machete? Katana? Light saber?

I've always got a handgun during rifle, but this is my first season of archery. Just curious what everyone keeps close on hand during archery.

Hello everyone!
I’m interested in getting into the sport and was wondering if it’s possible to start at 19 years old. I saw on Google that it is, but I’d really appreciate hearing from people with firsthand experience.
Could anyone explain the licensing process and what firearms I’d be legally able to own or use if I get started? Any advice or tips for a beginner would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! ( I stay in Riverside County )

My buddy and I are debating what caliber would be the best in CA to hunt black tail, Mulies, Elk, and Pig. If you could only have one caliber to hunt those species what would you use? Is ammo availability and price a problem? We are in between 7 PRC and 308.

In the last few days I’ve been watching turkey hunting YouTube videos and trying to learn as much as possible. Everyone expert or experienced turkey hunters seem to have their own different set up for shotgun and choke

As far as a shotgun and chokes,

1) first I thought of going with my single shot break down like my Iver Johnson (but I would need to have it fitted with a choke)

2) next I thought my over under but that’s so heavy for a day of climbing hills and trails.

3) then I though maybe just maybe I should go with an simi automatic like my beretta 1301.

4) next I was thinking of getting a 20 gauge breakdown dedicated with a turkey choke, but I don’t want to buy more guns to keep in the safe.

5) finally Im now thinking the shotgun I purchased the day I turned 18, my Winchester 1300 with tight choke which came with the gun when I first purchased it 40 years ago.

Funny how no matter what was the thinking and evaluation the old faithful is the best choice.

So funny!

I know they aren’t monsters, like up North, but I’m curious to see what everyone has harvested!