Realistic hunting expectations in CA?

[PhoReal]

So I'm out of state, and I've been thinking about getting into hunting, and was wondering, what are some realistic expectations for what I could bag in CA? I'm familiar with some rules and regs, pig tags, deer tags, etc, and that even getting a deer tag in certain zones are literally winning the lottery.

I'm not looking to trophy hunt, though won't turn one down I'm more interested in game hunting for meat. Not interested in just killing coyotes either.

Over a course of a year, what could I realistically expect to get? A few boar? A buck? I'm in the Napa area if it matters, and have no problem driving around the state.

[roostersgt]

Unless you know someone with lots of private property, in a zone with available tags, a guided pig / deer / bear hunt is essentially your best option in this state. All other forays into the "wilderness" will most likely be a long armed hike, where you'll get to meet lots of others "armed hikers", quad tourists and road hunters. Even seven miles into a designated wilderness area usually only produces social meetings with other armed hikers, who are also trying to get away from the massive crowds.

Spend the money and go guided, at least in this state, it's way cheaper in the grand scheme of things, and far more efficient use of your time, and will be more successful.

[mif_slim]

Wait for a good weather system and you will have a higher chance of getting game. Hunting is....hunting. If it wasnt, it would be called harvesting.

You'll have to put time and effort into it. A lot of our new hunter friends keep asking us how we keep getting game every year. What they dont know is the years we spent NOT getting game and trials and error. When they hunt with us, we put them in the best place possible. They get game and they think hunting is super easy...they have no idea.

When we go out of state hunts, we do the same, we got 1-2 weeks to hunt in an area we do not know so we bust our butts off.

[Bull Elk]

Start with very low expectations and then go from there. Deer hunting isn't what it used to be on public land but get your tag and give is a go and see what happens (sorry, that is about as realistic as I can get for deer hunting). Pig hunting is generally poor on public land and the best way to go is through a guide who has access to private land. Be prepared to pay $500-$1000 for a pig hunt and remember, you get what you pay for. I'm not much of a duck hunter and usually only go when invited by friends, but no rain usually means poor duck hunting and that's been pretty much the way its been for a few years. However, too much rain and the ducks have many more options than you do. If you haven't heard of the sweat line, be prepared for no fun! Pheasant hunting.....man, I really miss the days when I had access to private land and me and my dog could try to match wits with a wild rooster. So much better than hunting club birds, but that's likely your best bet. Be prepared to spend around $700 for 20 birds and you must have a dog or rent one. Hunting in CA today is nothing like it was when I first started hunting in the early 1970's. Less public land, less wild game = more difficult hunting and lots of tag soup. While I continue to hunt CA, these are the main reasons why I've been hunting out of state since 1988. Yes, it can cost more but your options are many and your chances to fill your tag are much better. Good luck.

[MJB]

[Tere_Hanges]

CA has tons of public land, but it also has tons of people. I have a lot of family in Napa area. Basically, the only option for hunting in that area is private land. There is Cache Creek area. But a lot of land has been burned from wildfires around Lake, Yolo, and Napa counties.

[duckman1]

Private land obviously has less pressure and in many cases will produce better than public land. As stated above the drought has hit the animals pretty hard and if we get good rain and snow this year the populations will rebound and the public land hunting will improve.

It's about networking for private land access and boots on the ground for the public land. The animals are there you just have to find them.

[DennisCA]

Remember: A bad hunting beats a good day at your job!

[NickTheGreek]

California isn't all bad. If you are really set on deer and pigs, you will probably be disappointed.

However, if we get some rain this year and our refuges flood all their ponds, you have the opportunity to experience some of the best duck hunting anywhere in the United States, and all on public land too.

[elk hunter]

Of course i'm probably wrong but I always thought quail hunting was pretty darn good in lots of Calif. Quail, grouse and pheasant are, have been and always bee my favorite birds to hunt, pretty good eating to. There is still some deer and hog hunting and shooting to be done on public land but it will take a newbie hunter years to make the inroads into a high degree of success, lots of hard work and understanding a hell of a lot. Not just about all the fun stuff like shooting or reloading ammo and other easy stuff but how to read weather and understanding it's effect on wildlife. If I still lived in Calif. I would still be bringing home the bacon...so to speak.

[bigbossman]

What Nick and elk hunter said......

Bird hunting, especially quail, is very good if you do your homework. Rabbit hunting is fantastic if you like to do that.

Pig and deer on public land require a lot of work and time to be successful in CA, and the percentages are low.

[Thefeeder]

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+1 on the bird hunting.....much more fun, a lot more game and a plaves to go

[JGon]

I think it is realistic to expect maybe to have an opportunity (or more) at a buck in a given year, if you do your homework, hunt hard, smart, and often during the season. Pretty much the same with hogs, although personally I have had much better luck with bucks on public land, than I have had with pigs. Of course, once you locate your quarry...it is a whole other story to actually get them on the ground.

I would suggest picking an area nearest your home as possible with a decent amount of public land, and start scouting. Satellite maps help.

If you have the funds, guided hunts are always an option. Depends on what you want. If you want to hunt hard with maybe an opportunity at an animal, then public land. If you just want to harvest an animal with probable opportunity, then guided hunt...although usually no real guarantee there either.

If you are persistent regarding public land hunting, you will have consistent meat in the freezer. If you can only make it out a couple of times a year, best to go the guided route.

Good luck!

[PhoReal]

Thanks for all the great replies guys!