X-12 Zone draw for California Mule deer.

[Greg Nolan]

Finally!!! We drew an X-12 zone tag for deer after 6 years of putting in for it. It's not a top X zone but it's one I've hunted since I was 12 when it was inland zone versus coastal zone. Both seasons could be hunted with no draw on one tag. There were about 10,000,000 less people in California then (1960). It's sage brush, high desert and the wintering grounds for California mule deer. I have the area pegged pretty good with a couple of sweet spots that always produce. Oh happy day :grin: :grin:
Good Hunting
Elkhunt :grin:

 

[Colin]

Congrats! I've always heard X-12 is pretty good. Looking over my California 2008 deer hunt zone map, you will be able to shoot lead bullets. You will be just slightly out of "Condor Range" (whatever). Good luck on you hunt and be safe.

Looks like archery season starts August 16th - September 7th and general rifle season is from September 20th - October 13th. What rifle/ammo combo will you be useing?

 

[Greg Nolan]

Colin,
I'll take 2 rifles( one extra in case I drop one). A 257 Wby. and a 30-378 Wby. It's real open sagebrush country and the deer lay down in the middle sometimes and you can't aproach them. It may take a long shot
if I can spot them. There are some aspins with water in them but they take at least 2 people to move the deer out. They are narrow and the deer squirt out the other side and are gone if you're alone.
I'll post pictures if I get lucky. Thanks !
Good Hunting
Elkhunt :grin: [/u][/list]

 

[honkeetonkin]

CONGRATS ON YOUR TAG HOPE YOU HAVE A SUCCESSFUL HUNT ...........jerk :lol: I got drawn for the same thing I always get- nothin :evil:

 

[Colin]

I don't have to tell you either would work! Sounds awesome. I took a mule deer buck a few years agon in south-west Wyoming with my .25-06. The area sounds very similar to where I hunted in Wyoming. Have a great trip.

 

[Colin]

By the way...Please double check for yourself the lead bullet thing. You sound like a guy that leaves nothing to chance, but I'd hate to have given you wrong information. Also, What ammo??? That is the big question? .25 caliber 110gr AccuBond/.30 caliber 180gr AccuBond??? Come on Brother, cough it up. I used a 110gr AccuBond on both my Wyoming Mule deer (215 yard shot) and Antelope (185 yard shot) from my .25-06. Spectacular results, although I will opt for the 100gr Ballistic tip for my next antelope.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Colin
You nailed them both. 110 gr 257 and 180 gr. 30-378. If I didn't know better I'd say you've got hunting/shooting down to a science.
I'm mostly of the Elmer Keith opinion."Use enough gun" ! I've had game embarrass me a few times by running to the bottom of "You're worst nightmare" canyon. Packing a half mile straight up using hands and feet taught me a real strong lesson.
Good HUnting
Elkhunt :grin:

 

[Colin]

I don't know if I'd say I've got it down to a science. I just do a lot of research. I've recently moved my interest from the super speedy stuff to more traditional, larger bore, slower moving projectiles. I don't have much interest in the newer cartridges. I only own a few rifles (.223, .243, .25-06, and .300 Win Mag). Everything I need for North America anyway. I bought the .300 Win Mag for an Africa trip that fell through.