Starting to think about my 2015 deer application options. I have max points, however my son who would like to hunt with me is a point behind. Looking at draw odds we both should be able to draw most of the X-zone hunts as a party. We are considering X5A or X5B. I have not hunted in those areas so I would need to head up and learn the country. I know some of you on the forum are very familiar with these units. How has the drought impacted these areas? Seems as if northern California is somewhat better than here in central cal? Are there other X zone hunts you would consider? Your thoughts would be appreciated. I will contact area biologists in the next month and get their take on the herds and forage for this year. Thanks
X5A-X5B in 2015?
- Thread starter chiefgobbler
- Start date
Tim Hughes
Member
I don't know if I would use max points on either of those tags but I would go with X5B over X5A. They have both been suffering lately. I think I would focus more on a late season hunt in the rut. That is a good position to be in with all those points, Good luck!
Grantbvfd
Active Member
I agree. It would be hard to use max points on one of those hunts for me. You can't put a price on hunting with family though. I would wait until the big game digest comes out and see what it's looking like this year.
Arrowslinger
Member
Calbuck
Active Member
I think you should go for it. Those zones offer some of the best CA has to offer, rut hunt or not. Rut hunts are for people that can't find the deer any other time of year. If you put in and draw, do your homework, scout and research and I'm willing to bet you at least have an opportunity at as good a buck as you would find anywhere, anytime. (I think waiting 10-15-20 yrs for G3 is ridiculous by the way). If you want a giant muley CA IS NOT your best bet!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Tim Hughes
Member
Ha ha, ok. I have drawn X5A twice, and if you put in for that tag you will draw it for sure. I think last year it took 7 or 8 points. If you do decide on X5A PM me and I will gladly give you some areas to start. I agree with what others have said about hunting with family and scouting to get maximum potential. My fondest memories are hunts I shared with my father and sons.
I have max points for elk and sheep in CA and know the value of playing the points game. I certainly have more time than money. I regularly evaluate my points in those states that I apply to see what I could draw now and what is worth to me waiting and building points to draw in the future.
I have max points for elk and sheep in CA and know the value of playing the points game. I certainly have more time than money. I regularly evaluate my points in those states that I apply to see what I could draw now and what is worth to me waiting and building points to draw in the future.
Calbuck
Active Member
Didn't mean to come off sounding condescending. I personally would look at 5b before 5a. I agree %100 with hunting with family. X5b will take a couple more points than 5a to draw..my dad has been putting in for X5b and has 8 points going into this years draw. He always comments on me going hunting every year with an X tag every couple years. I've been able to get some meat in my freezer most of those years, and have had opportunities at large bucks as well. I just personally think people are wasting away their time waiting so long to draw that "special " tag. At least in this state.
Jrod
Active Member
x5b all the way. Don't waste time on g3 like the millions of others. Bass hill would be good late season, as well as doyle muzzleloader. Burn the points, then hunt another xzone you could draw every couple of years. I drew 5b in 2011 but will not be applying there any more. way to long to wait. I love it up there and the hunting is great and we saw a ton of bucks but....
I'm going to make a suggestion
If I recall either of you should be able to draw either of those hunts alone or as a party
Why not pick one and hunt it for the next two years? Chances of taking too top notch bucks in one hunt is tough. You guys can still hunt together too
I hunted 5a in 13. Lots of cat activity saw one a little too close and it kinda rattled me for the hunt. Last day I hunted I saw 70 deer between 10 and noon and not one legal buck among them.
If I recall either of you should be able to draw either of those hunts alone or as a party
Why not pick one and hunt it for the next two years? Chances of taking too top notch bucks in one hunt is tough. You guys can still hunt together too
I hunted 5a in 13. Lots of cat activity saw one a little too close and it kinda rattled me for the hunt. Last day I hunted I saw 70 deer between 10 and noon and not one legal buck among them.
humbletaxi
Member
I have max points and am pretty sure I am going for x5b this year. I live close so I will be able to do a lot of scouting and I am tired of collecting points. I just want to burn them and be able to hunt a decent zone every 5 or six years. I think about how many good hunts I have missed for the 13 points or whatever it is that I have. My dad hunted x5b last year and had a blast in some beautiful country and got a decent buck.
Nitis I like your idea. My son is fairly new to this type of hunting and I could work to help him with his tag. Took him on his first Antelope hunt last year and he had a blast.
Take Em Bucks N Bulls
New Member
- Aug 21, 2014
- 48
- 0
The best hunt to put in for is the devils garden muzzleloader. If your thinking between X5A and X5B id go with 5B i spent a lot of time in both zones this year and 5B is looking way better.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
I beg to differ take em. Both units are on the downward trend and I wouldn't burn 1 point on either if they were in a different state. In fact, I'm going to burn my deer points in California this year most likely and never apply again. Until cdfg decides to put the citizens in rural communities (the ones that are affected the most) by their idiotic laws on mountain lions, bears, and bullet material, they don't deserve my money. When you have as many mountain lions as 4x4s on trail cam pics, you have a serious problem. Sacramento doesn't understand that. I hope they are feeling the repercussions of their anti hound agenda by now.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Unfortunately the state legislature and voters have taken wildlife management out of the hands of the CDF&G. The political appointed commission that really runs the department reflects these policies. Until the lions start eating as many people as deer, nothing will change!
Take Em Bucks N Bulls
New Member
- Aug 21, 2014
- 48
- 0
Thats what a drought in the desert does, and all the feral horses pushing the deer out. It takes way to many points to draw, but there's still a ton of trophy deer in both zones. I dis agree with waiting so long to draw. There are just as big of bucks in alot easier zone to draw. Like i said i'll be in 5B this year, we're not going for oveall score just looking for something over 30"
Jrod
Active Member
humbletaxi
Member
Just looked through my old text messages but it looks like the pictures expired or something, they just have a question mark icon.
Calbuck,
I haven't visited this site in a while, but, am I the only one that thinks the California draw system system is worse than Vegas odds?
I am one shy of max points on all big game in Calif(thanks to my postman, but that is another story), so as best I can figure (and I spoke to DFW last week) I have no chance in any of the premium draw areas of Calif (I'm 66 years young). Based on what I know of the way it works, I think the system sucks and is geared to long term participation (MONEY!) for the DFW.
I'd love to hear other opinions.
I haven't visited this site in a while, but, am I the only one that thinks the California draw system system is worse than Vegas odds?
I am one shy of max points on all big game in Calif(thanks to my postman, but that is another story), so as best I can figure (and I spoke to DFW last week) I have no chance in any of the premium draw areas of Calif (I'm 66 years young). Based on what I know of the way it works, I think the system sucks and is geared to long term participation (MONEY!) for the DFW.
I'd love to hear other opinions.
Calbuck
Active Member
RL, I don't think CA draw odds are that bad. I just don't buy into X5b being worth waiting for 9-10-11 years to hunt. From what I've seen posted for G3, wouldn't waste my time and money on that one either. I think ALL of the X zones can (and do) produce really nice bucks, you just have to work to find and get em. I live in X zone, and I've seen some bombers every year. Everyone has a chance to draw, but I'm banking on better odds in less "popular " zones to maximize my hunting career. That's my .02