So I am getting ready to fill out my California tag application for this year. Anyone have suggestions on which units I should apply in for Deer, Antelope and Elk? They will be Rifle hunts. I live in the Bay Area but really anywhere in CA would be fine. I don't have any preference points. Any info appreciated.

I will also apply for a Bighorn Tag just for the hell of it so if anyone has suggestions on that as well that would be cool.

Thanks in advance.

For deer get 1 A zone tag and 1 B zone tag, the B zone tage is good for all of the B zones. And a bear tag since bear season starts the same day as the rifle deer season.

Plenty of USFS land to the North of you and A zone starts Aug. 12 and goes till Sep. 24, B 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 starts Sept. 16 and goes till Oct. 22. Giving you over 2 months of deer hunting.

Thanks Skinner,

Anyone have advice for Elk or Antelope?

Elk and antelope: out of state!

I've been here for 13 years to long and have never drawn an elk or antelope tag. I've gotten my choice for deer several times. I'd pick a B tag and one in an X zone, then make my second choice for A. Why not ask for a premium hunt, and still get to have a long season if you don't get it?
I have not sent mine in yet. Nate

So B tag for antelope and X tag for Elk with A tags as second choices? Why not X zones for both?

quote:

So B tag for antelope and X tag for Elk with A tags as second choices?

No, those are all deer zones. The elk and antelope tags are identified by area and each is a separate draw and getting drawn is tough.

CA DFG Big Game Page

I put in for the Lassen antelope and North Coast Roosevelt elk hunts every year and I suppose lightning may strike and I'll get drawn some year.

Till then if I want an antelope or elk I'll go out of state.

As well as enjoy my long seasons with 2 bucks and a bear in CA, with feral hogs, tons of varmints, good upland and waterfowl hunting.

If you have never applied before for a deer tag in Calif, you don't have much chance of getting picked in the tag lottery for any of the X zones, some of the C and D zones and any special hunts because of the limited allotment of tags.

The A and B zones and some of the D zones have such high tag allotments, you are almost guaranteed a tag in these areas.

About four or so years ago, Calif started a points system. If you select a particular zone as your first choice and don't get your first choice, you earn one 1st choice point. These add up for each year that you don't get your first choice. It doesn't matter what zone you use for your 1st choice, you can change from year to year and still earn points. When you do get your first choice, your points go back to zero.

When they draw the tags, Fish and Game starts with all of those with the most points. They draw from this group. Then they move on to those with the next highest points and so on. When all the allotment for that zone are depleted, all those who have undrawn tags get another point toward the next year.

Calif uses this same points system for Elk, Antelope and Sheep. The catch is, you have to pay a non-refundable fee and get in the draw to earn points. This fee only applied to Elk, Antelope and sheep. For deer you have to buy the tag, but you are refunded the full price if you don't get drawn and don't want to take a second or third choice.

Is it correct that you must be a resident of California to apply for that state’s elk and antelope tags? If so, this exclusivity begs for a lot of commentary…CP.

quote:

Is it correct that you must be a resident of California to apply for that state’s elk and antelope tags?

Yes that's true, but there's a bill in the legislature, SB 1033, that will change that.

Skinner, thanks for the prompt response. I strongly believe in state's rights, but I also believe in reciprocity. In additional to the thousands of non resident elk tags available in the general seasons, some of the most sought after trophy elk hunts in the northern states generally have (not always) a small percentage of tags set aside for non residences. I have hunted elk in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Colorado, and I wound not mind adding California to my list. Contrary to the commonly held view, I know that there is some damn fine and wild country in California that would be a challenge to hunt successfully. CP.

quote:

I know that there is some damn fine and wild country in California

Go do a black-tailed deer hunt in the Trinity Alps or the Yolla Bolly, over the counter B zone tags and you're allowed two bucks. Bear is open then too.

“Go do a black-tailed deer hunt in the Trinity Alps or the Yolla Bolly, over the counter B zone tags and you're allowed two bucks".

Been there- done that. I actually hunted in the Yolla Bolly when it was still classified as a Primitive Area in the early 60s. In my old age, I only care about elk hunting, so let us know if SB 1033 passes. Thanks. CP.