Anybody ever hunted X12 lately ?

[HuntWYODon]

Anybody hunted X12 lately ?

Haven't been on the Forum for quite some time.
My son and I drew X12 tags this year. I've hunted X9B a few times and X10 twice and X9A once in 2006.
Have never been able to draw X12 until now. Been in the zone many times driving though, etc. but not hunted it.
I had a friend that had hunted it a few times a long time ago but all I remember him mentioning was Bodie Hills.
The season being Sept.15th to Oct. 8th like X9B and X9A I'm sure most bigger bucks will be up high or still in Nv. !
Any places to start would be more than appreciated. I have all maps that cover X12 already.
Thanks

 

[sjsmallfield]

I have never hunted x12 myself but my friend killed a buck down there aroud Bodie Hills a few years ago. Also check out the website for Kens Sporting Goods. They have hunting photos for the last two years and most of the photos have the general location of the kill. Good luck!

 

[NoMoreOldNo7]

I have hunted X9A quite a few times and have a tag for this year, but I have a cousin that lives in X-12. He's a deer hunter but rarely draws a tag for his home turf. I can give him a call and see what I can find out for you. I'm hitting some new places in X9A this year, maybe we could even trade some info if you have any regarding X9A. Let me do some digging and I'll shoot you a PM

 

[BossBrott]

Killed a nice 3x3 in the Bodie Hills a few years ago. Right now, im thinkin elevation and water would be a recipe for success. Theres always deer in the hills. When you get weather at the higher elevations, the migratory animals will start moving in. Get away from the roads too, as the road hunting gets pretty bad.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Thanks sjsmallfield !

 

[HuntWYODon]

Hey Boss,
I was thinking elevation also. Opening on Sept. 15 ...Closes Oct. 8th. I froze my butt off in X9A 2006 at 8500 ft.on a Sept. opener. Saw only a few does. I moved down to around 6000 ft. next morning and saw lots of deer. Funny thing though, the last weekend of season we went with friends to stay a Convict Lake . I snuck out that Sun. morning early and drove to the spot I hunted opening morning about the lake. Shot a small buck . Two days later I was on my way to Az. fro an achery elk hunt. Last day buck. Do you think they would get any or even enough weather during those season dates to trigger any migration ? I haven't seen them migrate that early off Coyote in X9B into the Goodale unit. I guess it's possible though. I was going to check out the Bodie Hills area. I figured it would be popular. Had a friend that was a State park Ranger there that shot a few back when it was a lot easeir to draw.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Sounds good NoMore,
I have hunted a few places in X9A. Have notes still from a friend who used to guide and pack in X9B and X9A.
Might be some helpful info.
Thanks !

 

[Never in Doubt]

I shot a buck in x-12 last year. It's a big zone with room to roam. Start high up on the west side, or in the sage on the east side. Use your optics until you're sure no deer are in sight, then move to another spot and continue scoping.

The closer to the road you are, the more crowded it's gonna be.

 

[Drhorsepower]

I shot a buck in x-12 last year. It's a big zone with room to roam. Start high up on the west side, or in the sage on the east side. Use your optics until you're sure no deer are in sight, then move to another spot and continue scoping.

The closer to the road you are, the more crowded it's gonna be.

Welcome to ef nid, do you have photos of your buck?

 

[Never in Doubt]

Welcome to ef nid, do you have photos of your buck?

He's just a 2x2, but I was on crutches and it was not the time to be too picky. He tasted great, lol.

 

[Drhorsepower]

Ouch! I bet that's a hunt you will not forget....

 

[HuntWYODon]

Thanks NID.
I will remember that.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Did you hit him in the mouth with a crutch ?
He looks just like the buck I shot above Convict Lake in X9A 2006.

 

[Kevin Root]

That zone, X12 has been on my pick list for a few years now. 18+ years before the point system I used to get drawn every year. No draw though for more for more than a few seasons. I've hunted the wilderness country out of Little Antelope Pack Station. I've heard the hunting is pretty good in the hills behind Ken's Sporting Goods towards Nevada or the Bodie Hills as well out of Bridgeport and it has good access too. I kind of like hunting higher in the Alpine country though more than the lower hills just as preference though.

 

[BossBrott]

Id hunt the western edge of the Bodie Hills. Theres many draws to pick over, and crowding should not be a problem if you get away from the roads. I wish I had just one pic of my buck, its pretty funny, I hit him right between the eyes! Makes for an ugly pic anyways. We didnt see many deer in the first few days where we scouted them, so we concentrated on the "wet" draws, and did some pushes in the evening. Turned out to be the secret, we killed 4 bucks for 6 guys. My brother missed a nice 3x4 at 350 yards, but connected on his buddy at 400 with his 300 winmag. Nice shootin'. Good luck in x12, dont forget the spotting scop[e for the evening, it saved some leather.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Thanks Keven and Boss,
You guys are getting me excited to go already. I'm going to try to hunt the first few days and if have to hunt the last few.
Keven, I haven't talked to you for over a year either ! From what I've heard and now read, Bodie Hills seems to be a popular spot.
I like must don't like crowds but after opening weekend it seems to thin out.
Just thought of another question. Any recommondations on where to camp or stay ? I read about a lot of campgrounds in the area.
Might even find a cheaper hotel in Bridgeport or Lee Vining.
Thanks eveyone .

 

[Never in Doubt]

Thanks Keven and Boss,
You guys are getting me excited to go already. I'm going to try to hunt the first few days and if have to hunt the last few.
Keven, I haven't talked to you for over a year either ! From what I've heard and now read, Bodie Hills seems to be a popular spot.
I like must don't like crowds but after opening weekend it seems to thin out.
Just thought of another question. Any recommondations on where to camp or stay ? I read about a lot of campgrounds in the area.
Might even find a cheaper hotel in Bridgeport or Lee Vining.
Thanks eveyone .

Many of the official campgrounds that you find on a map will be full if you drive over the evening before opening day. There's a lesser known spot just east of Sonora Pass on 108. On the turn off for the dirt road that goes above the Marine base. But it's a ways away from Bodie, if that's where you're gonna hunt.

My advice would be to rely less on luck and control your own fate by hiking AWAY from the roads. Especially early in the year when the weather doesn't have the deer moving. If you can hike in and camp a few miles away from a road, even better.

Good luck out there, and be sure to post some pictures of your success!

 

[Never in Doubt]

Did you hit him in the mouth with a crutch ?
He looks just like the buck I shot above Convict Lake in X9A 2006.

Ha ha, no. The 7mm mag did the trick! He was quartering away at about 70 yards and I him in the lungs. After seeing nothuing but fawns and does all opening day, his antlers looked 10 feet tall. He's no trophy, but I was elated for sure. An injury that limits what you can do, can really damper your expectations.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Many of the official campgrounds that you find on a map will be full if you drive over the evening before opening day. There's a lesser known spot just east of Sonora Pass on 108. On the turn off for the dirt road that goes above the Marine base. But it's a ways away from Bodie, if that's where you're gonna hunt.

My advice would be to rely less on luck and control your own fate by hiking AWAY from the roads. Especially early in the year when the weather doesn't have the deer moving. If you can hike in and camp a few miles away from a road, even better.

Good luck out there, and be sure to post some pictures of your success!

Thanks NID ! I have some good info to go one from all these post. Funny how close X9A,X9B and X10 are that I've hunted but nervous about X12 that I haven't. My son and a friend that is old and can't do the hiking drew with me. It's the older guy I'm worrying about. I don't want it to cramp my hunting style but I have to keep an eye on him if you know what I mean...My son is 20 yrs old so no worries there. I now have a lot of map reading to do !

 

[HuntWYODon]

Ha ha, no. The 7mm mag did the trick! He was quartering away at about 70 yards and I him in the lungs. After seeing nothuing but fawns and does all opening day, his antlers looked 10 feet tall. He's no trophy, but I was elated for sure. An injury that limits what you can do, can really damper your expectations.

I just thought maybe he wasn't dead when you hobbled up to him and gave him a crutch to the head a few times.