Another New Guy, Simi Valley

[B W E]

Hello everyone,
I've been enjoying this site for a couple weeks now, trying to soak up as much info as I can. My daughter has been asking me when we can go hunting, so, I guess It's time to light that candle. I grew up in Alaska hunting moose and caribou with my dad, but haven't gotten in to it here yet.

I live in Simi, and I have access to a house in Cambria, so I'd like to focus my efforts in those two areas, preferably up north. I know theres a few chunks of BLM land just north of the 46 in wine country Paso Robles. Any thoughts on that area? It seems to have great access, and unbeknownst to me 2 days ago, I was on one of the roads leading in to it. Here's a few of the bucks I saw this weekend....all within 20 yards of me.

 

[uplandfam]

Wow. I've never seen that good of a selection of bucks anywhere in California. I was just up the 101 in los osos today. Saw a little black bear.

Welcome to the site that area is some I the best deer as well as hog around. I'm jelous you hve access to a house up that way. Go get em. I live in the north Sfv not far from Simi and I drive the 118 almost every day. Not much withen an hour or 2.

 

[Bonejour]

Find the nearest NF fence line and put up a game cam Actually you need to start with good maps that give you NF and BLM boundaries. FS rangers aren't usually much help hunting but BLM agents seem pretty helpful to me when I've asked. Most ranger stations will have maps or an atlas. Get the most detail you can. For BLM land, look it up online and call. They'll help you order the map you need; the want to keep you legal. I always hunted private land back east. Public land, you have to know the boundaries within a few yards. So consider a gps or smart phone app. There are good threads on SCH about those. Also for your daughter, look for youth hunts (upland birds, deer, etc). Seems like there is always something going on for young people. Has she done hunter safety yet?
Hope this was helpful. Way to go, getting her interested!


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[Lungpopper]

Welcome to the site.

 

[B W E]

Wow. I've never seen that good of a selection of bucks anywhere in California. I was just up the 101 in los osos today. Saw a little black bear.

Welcome to the site that area is some I the best deer as well as hog around. I'm jelous you hve access to a house up that way. Go get em. I live in the north Sfv not far from Simi and I drive the 118 almost every day. Not much withen an hour or 2.

Yah Im always amazed when we go up there. My wife and I always take a walk in the morning...maybe a 3/4 mile loop around the house and we see deer EVERY time! They always walk past the house around 6 am and again, in the opposite direction, at 6pm.... like clockwork.

Sunday morning we took a walk to the beach, about a mile each way. On the way back, 40' off the road was an old 3x4, an old doe, 3 young spikes, and a young doe, all chewing on the same patch of flowers.

The BLM patch Im interested in totals out to only about 5 sq. miles. But, there's year round water there, and plenty of valleys and oaks. Is 5sq. miles worth the effort?

 

[ilovesprig]

Nice bucks, Great pix.........Thanks for sharing.........

 

[NBK]

Welcome aboard the SCH website B W E. Great pics!

 

[Bonejour]

The BLM patch Im interested in totals out to only about 5 sq. miles. But, there's year round water there, and plenty of valleys and oaks. Is 5sq. miles worth the effort?

I'm amazed a patch that small, with water, in the middle of all those parcels, is not crawling with hunters. Any stands, game cams or other sign of hunters?
You could just start with the BLM map. They have great info on them about who owns what. But it pays to be absolutely sure where you are in relation to boundaries. Besides, it's a great lesson for your daughter; part of hunting public land.


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[ilovesprig]

5 sq. miles (3200 acres)?.......Yeah, I'd say that's enough.....The best property I have is 40 acres!.........lol

 

[Bonejour]

Man, what a difference a deed makes! Haha


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[B W E]

this may not be the right place to ask, but if there's anyone out there who'd like to head out there for some scouting with me I'd definitely be down for that. I have a lot to learn, and I learn by doing. I'd like to learn to do it right though.

 

[Drewski2324]

Hey Bwe do you shoot archery or gun? I am in Simi a lot at the archery range and am always looking to scout with someone.


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[B W E]

Hey Bwe do you shoot archery or gun? I am in Simi a lot at the archery range and am always looking to scout with someone.


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Im rifle only, but I don't discriminate

 

[B W E]

Well, I'm getting ready for my first scouting trip. Im a little encouraged by the fact that SLO sheriffs department doesn't even know this chunk of BLM land exists. As of right now, I've been on the phone with Bakersfield BLM and the lady has spent the last ten minutes trying to confirm it exists. She had to transfer me to a specialist. Im looking right at it on their ArcGIS interactive map right now and it's definitely there, and this maps claims to have been updated as of 7/2014.

So, having said all that, I have ZERO experience hunting deer. Anyone want to throw out any pointers on how to make this scouting trip worthwhile? I'll be entering the hills about 4-5am, and my plan is to get up high where I have a good view of the small lake nearby, and watch for deer traffic. Also, AO is open now, so I'll get a good sense of the hunter population there as well.

 

[uplandfam]

that would be an awesome spot sounds like. if its not totally over run with people should be nice. Wish i had a spot like that. What rifle zone is it in? this i sme not asking for the spot just asking what general area it is for tag availability.

 

[El Matavenados]

Wow, great stuff! Welcome! Kudos to you for doing your homework. I'm no CA deer hunting expert, but your plan seems sound. Hope that area works out for you!

 

[B W E]

Ok, little hiccup. I did finally get confirmation from BLM that the land was there and is in fact BLM. However, he described it as "an island" with no public access "as far as I know". I have gone over google earth and google maps street view to look for signs, and the ONLY sign I saw said "Road Closed to Thru Traffic". Upon searching for a legal definition of that, it basically says you can only go through if there is NO other way to get to your destination. I believe, based on what I saw in Google earth, either this road, or another nearby, will get me to the back side of the BLM land I want, then its about 2-3 miles of footwork from there to where I want to sit and watch. Because of this severely limited access, surrounded by private land, and the fact that SLO Sheriffs didn't even know it existed, Im expecting zero hunters, with the possible exception of surrounding land owners.

Would you guys advise against going beyond the sign?

Upland Fam.... this area is in A South.... near US Fish and Wildlife Service. Thats the only clue you get (but it almost exactly pinpoints the area)

 

[uplandfam]

if the road says closed to through traffic but does not say private street or private drive try it. see what happens? you may come up with a locked gate later or signs that say no trespass the only way to know is to scout right? Thats one reason scouting is good. no guns no face paint just a guy with a map trying to find a nice place to hike.

 

[ilovesprig]

A few things that I would do........

The 1st thing I would do is see if any of the surrounding land owners would let you access the land thru their property. Might save you a 2 or 3 mile walk....Explaining clearly, you have no intentions of hunting their property and only want access to YOUR property. Getting verbal permission is good, but written is always best. Knocking on doors can be fun & rewarding.

2nd, at least down here in San Diego Co. "Road closed to thru traffic" means to vehicles......Not foot traffic.

3rd, At the point of entrance does it say "No trespassing"?......If it does not. Then I would feel very comfortable walking that road.

4th, Do you have a legal place to park at that entrance?

Good luck

 

[uplandfam]

thats what i was trying to say ;D just didnt get it all out so nicely wrapped