I'll be heading to northern California the first week of October and would like to get in a blacktail hunt, preferably B-zone.

Anyone have any recommendations on outfitters or ranches I could contact?

Never hunted the B zone, but I did hunt the Northern part of the A zone when I was stationed there. I also hunted D-5 a couple thimes over by Placerville.

Most of my hunting took place in the Mendocino Natl Forest north of Napa. There was a really nice Wildlife area called Cache Creek. Lots of blacktails, huge coveys of California quail, some pigs and some turkeys and a few bear. Also quite a few Tule elk there, but it wasn't an area you could hunt them. It was pretty cool seeing them though.

I took a fair number of deer in the areas I hunted, but I had to work for them. The brush was really thick and the season began in Aug. Temps were in the high 90's. Never could figure out why they had the hunt so early, but California does things kind of weird. I took all my deer glassing and stalkig. Blacktails aren't a real big deer. I found a .243 would un-track them real quick.

There is quite a bit of public ground. I never hired a guide or hunted private land. If you want to hunt on your own, PM me and I'll give you some specific info. Just keep in mind that I left California in 1994 and any info I have may very well be out of date.

Mac

I hunt Cache Creek but it’s mainly just to get into shape. A zone is full of hunters and few deer. If you want a true Blacktail you’re better off sticking close to the coast in B zone. I don’t know any Outfitters but there are a few (most on private property).

I was planning on spending some time at Indian Valley Resv. (just North of Cache Creek) but its on fire now. Fire season started early this year.

Good luck.

Back when I hunted Cache Creek, it wasn't too crowded. Most of the people were too lazy to get way back in. A little hiking would put them behind me. But,that was 13 years ago too.

I used to hike in to the creek and wade across it and continue to the top of the back ridge line. I found a natural seep back there that always had a trickle of water coming out of it. It only flowed about 20 feet and sank back into the ground. I used to get on an overlook and glass the pockets of clear ground around the seep. I almost always packed a boned out buck on my way back to the truck. I never hunted the seep itself because I didn't want to drive the deer away from it.

I did some hunting by Indian Valley Res as well. Mostly hogs there. But I did take a good blacktail out of there once.

I would imagine that all that country has changed since I left the state. I wouldn't mind seeing the state again, but not to hunt. I'd really like to go into the Golden Trout Wilderness Area andcatch some of the goldens in their native waters. They are without a doubt the most beautiful of all the trout in North America.

Mac

Mac / CA SH,
Thanks for the info - very helpful. I've only got maybe 3 days of hunting available so I may have to try and locate an outfitter.

I'm talking to one guy that hunts outside of Cottonwood south of Redding. I've driven through the area a time or two but don't recall how remote it is.

I like to get out and hoof it in the woods vs. sitting over an open pasture. If I had more time I'd look into the Cache Creek area you mention Mac. That sounds ideal.

Thanks again for the info., and if I get lucky enough to get one I'll post the pics.
Good hunting,
F2R

Free2 - Redding is a good area. The temps up there can get really hot. It’s usually way over a 100 July-Sept. If you know someone that has access to some private land you should be able to get your buck. If you only have 3 days you might want to get an outfitter.

Mac – I think you would be very disappointed if you hunted Cache Creek now. On opening day it’s hard to find a place to park. Most don’t hike the creek (or past 2 miles) but a lot do. The pigs there are almost all gone but the quail and turkeys are still there. If you left in 94 you should see the Casino now. In 94 I think it was just trailers and tents, now it’s a huge Casino and Hotel.

i have lived in b zone my whole life and black-tail is a yearly family event....please pm me.