Hi everyone,
This is my first year deer hunting and so far I’ve been 100% on my own. I live in San Luis Obispo county “A zone” and only have access to public land. I have all of the basic gear needed for local day hunts. So far out of the five different times I’ve gone out I’ve only seen 1 really nice fork buck and ranged him at 1032yrds out. I slowly and quietly stocked trying to get with in 300 to 400 yard range. A very doable shot for me and my .270 Weatherby mag. Just as I was getting in that range a guy from another trail to the East of my location came up fast and load on a quad stopping and asking if I had seen anything. I shook my head and he took off. Every time I’ve gone out I start out early that way I can hike to the location I want to start at and be in position by first light. I’ve been hunting 2 different areas in the Los Padres National Forest. Just not sure if or what I’m doing wrong. Every time I have gone out I hike off trail trying to get away from the guys just spotting from the trails. I thought my best chances would be to get off trail hike back to a grassy opening with trees for coverage and shade. Staying out of the thick brush line. My shortest day I ended up hiking 5.75 miles in total and longest day was almost 8 miles. Since I’m trying to figure this all out on my own I’m just not sure what I’m doing wrong.
This is my first year deer hunting and so far I’ve been 100% on my own. I live in San Luis Obispo county “A zone” and only have access to public land. I have all of the basic gear needed for local day hunts. So far out of the five different times I’ve gone out I’ve only seen 1 really nice fork buck and ranged him at 1032yrds out. I slowly and quietly stocked trying to get with in 300 to 400 yard range. A very doable shot for me and my .270 Weatherby mag. Just as I was getting in that range a guy from another trail to the East of my location came up fast and load on a quad stopping and asking if I had seen anything. I shook my head and he took off. Every time I’ve gone out I start out early that way I can hike to the location I want to start at and be in position by first light. I’ve been hunting 2 different areas in the Los Padres National Forest. Just not sure if or what I’m doing wrong. Every time I have gone out I hike off trail trying to get away from the guys just spotting from the trails. I thought my best chances would be to get off trail hike back to a grassy opening with trees for coverage and shade. Staying out of the thick brush line. My shortest day I ended up hiking 5.75 miles in total and longest day was almost 8 miles. Since I’m trying to figure this all out on my own I’m just not sure what I’m doing wrong.