Deer hunting season

To our IMTBtrail family, please be aware that Deer hunting season started today October 8th -November 6th, So please be extra careful when visiting our Angeles National Forest & Other forests. Today while on patrol we saw dozens and dozens of hunters on the trails & fire roads . Please Take care .. Thank you, hugs

 

Thanks for the warning.
It's a hell of a thing, killing a large mammal. Can be quite tasty though...

 

And if you do ride up in the Angeles National Forest, please check your helmet for any stuck branches!

 

orange helmet time

 

Yup....found out this morning out in the Santa Ana Mountains when we ran across 40 or so hunters.

 

The crowds are the main reason I quit deer hunting in socal.

But I do love me some venison. That's some good stuff. And better for you than beef.

 

Always unnerving to hear the sounds of gunshots as I'm riding along. Thanks for the warning. Local parks for the next month or so.

 

Funny story from last years deer season. On a cloudy fall day I was a few miles in climbing Sunset Ridge to Mt Baldy when all of a sudden something big, a few feet ahead moved quickly towards me . Scared the crap out of me, I might have screamed and pd a little! It was 2 hunters in full camo that were sitting there looking into the canyon below. Turns out they heard me coming and moved to see what it was. Should have checked my heart rate because I am sure there was a spike. Watch out for those camo guys.

 

I used to hunt whitetails in NY... Which involved walking out of the front door, across the street, and into the tree stand. This also involved a lot of freezing temps... I have no desire to do that anymore, and my kids thought they had stepped back in time when we visited in the fall one year, and there were deer hanging from trees in many a front yard.

I ran into a truck full of hunters just below Santiago peak, and another group walking up Harding, about a mile below 4 Corners. Is it legal to ride in the bed of a truck? I also ran into a fire patrol and a ranger in the same area. It looked like they were having a chat with the driver of the truck...

 

I'll be wearing my neon green tee shirt.

 

No. This is California, after all. That which is not compulsory is forbidden.

 

I'm have neon yellow jersey and green helmet so hopefully I am not mistaken. I doubt any of us will see or hear many hunters. It's been too dry to support good herds. Hell im not hunting in California period this year for that reason.

 

If you ain't out there in the dark, staking out a spot you know has deer activity, you probably will be getting your venison from Whole Foods. Typical ANF "hunters " seem to like to hang out near their truck and coolers. Sitting in a folding chair and sipping beer with a rifle across your camo-clad lap does not make you a hunter

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be wearing my orange helmet, and fluorescent green jersey tomorrow morning up at Mt. Piños. I rode there in deer season a few years back and we nearly scared the pudding out of a couple of hunters on the way down. Maybe I'll wear a bell too. . . . .

 

It could have been because it looked as though several of the group of hunters out there yesterday had camped up there.....lots of tents set up. So CNF Rangers may have been patrolling. If it was Dept. F&G Rangers....you were lucky to see them, there are only a couple for all of So. Cal.

 

why would anyone hunt deer in so cal? its like expecting to catch lots of good waves in the middle of summer when there is a good swell.

 

I completely stop riding Golden Eagle this time of year (which unfortunately is one of the BEST times of year to ride it!). I'm amazed at all the Tecate beer cans left on the trail afterwards that I clean up. What a sack of losers!
Worse yet, like @rossage stated above. In my own personal box canyon I live in, there is a stretch of fire road about 1 3/4 miles long that the hunters drive up and down real slow with barrels hanging out the window like they are driving through a McDonalds. Of course they are dressed up in their camouflage, many have been busted for doing this. It's amazing regarding their perception they are in the wilderness, while I watch them drive up and down my road on my front porch.

I'm not against hunting, but find it ridiculous that they hunt here. Shooting a deer in my canyon is like shooting deer at Yosemite. They are all just hanging out eating grass as you walk by. No sport in that.

 

Related. While riding the luge on saturday my buddy and I ran into two hunters at the flag. We were a bit suspicious as we didn't know of any hunting areas within a reasonable walking distance. It looked like one of them was carrying a 270 rifle and the other possibly .303. Either are awefully powerful rounds to be letting off anywhere that is within reasonable waking distance from the top of the luge.

It lead into a large debate on if it was legal for these guys to be up here. So... is it?

 

My own 2 cents. That many guys with rifles is pretty scary. I'm more of the "shotgun only" opinion. The range is much shorter, and the skill level has to be a lot higher. It was also the only weapon allowed for deer hunting where I grew up, even though it was an extremely rural area.


From the forest service:

No Hunting within 150 yards of any occupied dwelling house, residence, other building, any barn or outbuilding used in connection therewith. The 150 yard area is a Safety Zone.

No Hunting within 150 yards of campgrounds, trails, fire stations, any national forest building, across any body of water, off-highway vehicle areas, and private property within the boundary of the Forest (unless the hunter has the permission of the property owner). Rifle, firearm, or crossbow hunting is not allowed at any time within the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area (only archery hunting during season).

National Forest lands are often surrounded and intertwined with private land. Please be careful to ensure you are on National Forest lands during your hunting activities. Information on where you can hunt and trails you can use to enter remote areas of the forest can be obtained from your nearest Forest Service office.

 

Not too many hunter vehicles seen Sunday in CNF. Maybe 3 along Main Divide between Holy Jim and Upper Joplin. No hunters seen; maybe they saw me...

Always good to share open space with those who respect and appreciate it. The hunting crowd is alright with me. Just passed through opening deer/elk bow season in CO. Talk about skill. Shooting a bear or mountain lion your dogs treed is super weak sauce, but as long as regs are being followed I'll look the other way. They might think MTB is stupid, too.

Yo, hunters: I saw two deer yesterday. Wanna know where? Hehe...go look for em...

 

Safe to wear my camo shorts again then...?

 

I saw three hunters with rifles today. I was wearing my orange jersey.

 

Today's the end AFAIK. Yesterday saw a bunch of hunters at the Blue Jay Campground. Also, saw three deer on the way to the parking area; hope they stayed in a safe place.

 

I'll be glad when the season is closed so I can get back out on Golden Eagle and access the trash damage.

 

I've gotten used to my neon green jersey, it's simple and matches the detailing on my friend's Ripley. Form following function?

 

better drop those bar ends . might look like a spike

 

Just looked on Google for Mountain Bikers shot by hunters. Didn't show any stories on it. They must not like the way we taste. Quit worrying and go ride your bike .