Dear all,

I'll be hunting mule deer in D7 on the eastern slopes of the high sierras at the end of September.
We'll be camping for 5 days after packing in on horse back.
I'd appreciate your advice regarding equipment, clothing, food, or anything else you would care to share.
As a German, this will be my first time hunting like this, so please le me know what there is to know.
thanks
M.

Prepare for very warm weather and there may be fire restrictions in place.

This area is for non-lead bullets only as is most of CA if not all now. So you will need to use copper bullets (Barnes) or other non-lead hornady GMX.

Bishop is the major town in that area with good sporting goods stores if you need various equipment.

Average day time temps 31 C but of run 35 C but that is on the valley floor. Temps on the slops will be cooler lows can be 3-8 C.

I would call California Fish and Wildlife and as for the biologist for D7.

Look up Ca. Fish and Wildlife Fresno's office. Find out who the Deer wildlife biologist for the area is. Call him or email him. They can be pretty helpful.
Ask for a spot kill map for the area. Basically it's a zone map indicating hunters, indicated kill sights, from the previous year. It can show concentration, movement etc...
Then impose the exact area you will be hunting on that map and make your own with important notes.
D7 does not have a high success rate, infact not many public areas do. They do have some dandy bucks.
The zone extends from South of Fresno near Pine flat Lake and straight up in elevation past Wishon Reservoir, Shaver lake, Huntington Lake through Kiser Pass and Edison Lake near the top. The zone does not extend into the Eastern Sierras, or You'll be in the X Zones. The hunt zone is huge and has breath taking scenery. You have Kings Canyon National Park on the SE end and Yosemite National Park on the N. end.
You can hunt the borders of the Parks or X zones.
By using horses, you will miss 98% of the competition and greatly increase your odds.
You will be at a high elevation and in some serious mountains. Lots of straight up and straight down. Lots of, granite, cliffs, thick brush, trees and can be thick.
Mother nature has no mercy, prepare for hot weather midday but also for snow. It could dump 3-5 feet of snow easily at that elevation, be prepared.
There is lots of Bear, be also prepared on how to store your food, keep a clean camp site and how to handle acquired game.
Your packer might have bear proof cylinders for storing your food, use them or acquire them. Or cache high in the trees.
Make sure to have insulated boots, gloves and hat. A set of thermal underwear, vest and heavy jacket. Rain gear. 3-4 season tent unless supplied with one and warm sleeping bag.
Compass, map, gps, first aid kit, fire starting kit. Headlamp with extra batteries. Walking sticks, they will save your knees. Cell phones can be a hit or miss.
Due to elevation, try to spend a couple of days at near elevation, so it's not so drastic. You don't want the severe head aches or to ruin your trip. You can get your Doctor to prescribe elevation sickness pills for you. 2 way radios surely will help.
Take dehydrated meals for 5 days and some good steaks for the first two. That way, you'll have some extra in case murphy comes knocking and you end up spending unplanned extra time up there.

If you don't ride horses often, go to a riding stable and take a couple of lessons. Spending a little time on one will make it much more comfortable and enjoyable.
A good pair of binoculars will be your best friend. Spend hours glassing daily and you will greatly increase your odds.

Check fishing season for trout in that area. If it's open and your packer is dropping you in the vicinity. You might get your deer early and decide to catch a few trout with a small rod. You will have the time of your life.
Best of luck to you. I have hunted there extensively years ago. But some of my hunting was chasing hounds after bear.