RECREATIONAL ADVENTURES
Hunting:
Thousands enjoy hunting on most public lands -- except for State and National Parks or public land near developed recreational and residential areas. Experienced and knowledgeable hunters are often rewarded with success.
Fall deer hunting is the most popular event, but several other species are eagerly sought.
State Recreation Areas and Wildlife Areas permit hunting. Most have specific restrictions. Within Auburn State Recreation Area hunting is limited to areas lying east of the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American River. So check ahead.
California Department of Fish & Game regulates hunting, while public land agencies regulate access. To obtain detailed information from California Department of Fish & Game check out: www.dfg.ca.gov or call State Headquarters at (916) 227-2245. Call (916) 358-2900 for the Sacramento Valley & Central Sierra Region. Hunters are responsible for knowing and following all regulations applicable to individual species and locations.
The discharge of a firearm is not permitted within 150 yards of a road, trail, or places where people may be. There is a State Game Refuge with special seasonal restrictions in the area lying around French Meadows Reservoir. Check regulations before carrying or discharging a firearm in that large area.
The Internet is an excellent source of general hunting information. We consider www.jesseshuntingpage.com a phenomenal source of advice for hunters.
Deer
West of the Sierra Crest (Zones 3-5).
Deer hunting is very popular with 30,000 tags available in these zones. Seasons extend from late September for about 5 weeks; archery season is one month earlier.
Following are locations in SierraOutdoorRecreation.com’s backyard where deer historically occupy the area during hunting season:
Bullards Bar Reservoir, late in the season, look in black oak groves along the north arm of the lake. Spenceville Wildlife Area, resident deer are present year-long. Bowman Lake, Grouse Ridge, and Red Mountain, typically are better in early to mid-season at these high elevations. Haypress Meadows -- Jackson Meadows Reservoir, early season. Lakes Basin -- Sierra Buttes, season-long, unless early snow moves the deer west toward lower elevations in canyons east of Downieville. Grayhorse Valley, Granite Chief Wilderness, Emigrant Gap, and Onion Creek, best early to mid-season.
East of the Sierra Crest (Zones 7a & 7b):
Season typically begins a week earlier than western zones, but extends only slightly over two weeks; archery season is one month earlier. Recently, tags were limited to 335 and distributed through drawings. Historically good locations: Sardine Peak, Lemon Canyon, Dark Canyon, Lake of the Woods, Crystal Peak, Babbitt Peak, Boca Hill and Ridge. These locations are typically mid to late-season holding areas -- after early snows move the deer down from the Crest, but before they drop further to winter ranges.
Bear
Seasons typically begin in western zones with the start of deer season. Eastern zones start in mid-October, both ending in late December. Archery seasons begin in August. Look for berry patches and oak flats within dense forest.
Gray Squirrel
Season is typically late September through January. Best hunting is in mature forests with a scattering of black oaks. Spenceville Wildlife Area and Auburn State Recreation Area are both notable areas. Lower- to mid-elevation areas within the Tahoe National Forest such as the Highway 20 corridor, are good habitat.
California Quail
Season typically mid-October through late January. Best hunting: foothill country in oak woodlands with chaparral and near water, such as locations found in Spenceville Wildlife Area and Auburn State Recreation Area. Mountain Quail occupy lower elevation Bureau of Land Management and Tahoe National Forest public lands. These quail are found deep within brushy areas near water and are quite a challenge.
Doves
Season typically in early September with best hunting on bare fields near grain fields. Spenceville Wildlife Area has planted fields for this purpose, and Auburn State Recreation Area is open to dove hunting, also.
Wild Turkey
Fall season for a couple of weeks in mid-November allows taking either sex, but spring season late March into early May is for bearded turkeys only. Spenceville Wildlife Area requires permits for spring, but none for fall hunts. Permits not required in Auburn State Recreation Area. Turkeys can also frequently be found on lower elevation Bureau of Land Management or National Forest lands.
