This will be my first back pack hunting experience high up in the sierras of Madera county and to top it off my first time with a bow. I've hunted up there several times around beasore and most of sky ranch with now success and only seen does. I'm looking for a partner to hunt with a little more familiar with the area. I dont really want to go solo but I will if that's what it comes down to. I'm in decent shape and improving it continuously
anyone backpack hunting D7 2015?
- Thread starter wrangler01
- Start date
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Good luck on you quest, hope you find a partner. I have shot a ton of bucks in D7 over the years....probably 35 or 40, not exactly sure. Some of them are post in my albums on my profile. Looks like this year will be a dry one.
Never in Doubt
Active Member
- Jul 9, 2012
- 304
- 0
Going solo sometimes works out better! I do it. It beats staying home or putting up with some strangers' weird habits/snoring/body odor. ha ha
sneakypete
Veteran member
CC, dry wouldn't be fare to say I believe we're already in July conditions. Both Sonora & Ebbetts passes are already open!
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
sneakypete
Veteran member
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Our water situation here is slightly less than normal. I started getting my irrigation water yesterday. Spent the first 58 years of my life living in southern California and remember the highs & lows of water. We do catch some nice kokanee here. Last year I got several that were 18" and weighed between 2 & 3#. There are wonderful smoked and canned.
Probably get back to my old haunts in D7 in a year or 2, depends on my uncles health. He is 91 and not doing too well. Wants his ashes scattered where my Dad's are in the Ansel Adams Wilderness area near out family hunting camp. I'll go when that happens.
Probably get back to my old haunts in D7 in a year or 2, depends on my uncles health. He is 91 and not doing too well. Wants his ashes scattered where my Dad's are in the Ansel Adams Wilderness area near out family hunting camp. I'll go when that happens.
easymoney
New Member
I usually have D7 as my go to fall back zone. But, be aware this year D7 is now a draw zone, due to a last minute change by DFG.
I have back pack hunted for decades in D7 and have always had a great time and enjoyed the incredible scenery whether I scored or not. It is truly a beautiful area maybe one of the most beautiful in the country.
My MO is to get a wilderness permit and hunt near or along the edges of the zone next to the national parks. It cuts out almost all road hunters and those who refuse to walk more than a mile from the truck.
Good luck...
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
D7 a draw area..... That's the most stupid thing I've heard! It only gets hunting pressure along the edges as you said. The interior is almost deserted in hunting season. My family (and me too) has hunted it since 1946. Had a big deal in 1996 at our 50 year mark. We hunt almost right in the middle of the zone, about an 6 hour horseback ride/pack in. Usually never see another hunter.
D6 is a draw zone this year due to the devastating rim fire on the Tuolumne side of Yosemite, I was there this weekend to go fishing for my birthday and it looked pretty bad, but I had a BIG question if d6 is a few zone will I be able to hunt it with an archery only tag since ill have more zones open to me? but I see quite a few does roaming around and a single turkey lol. I've read tons of your posts on here Colorado cowboy just barely signed up for the forum, it looks and sounds like you know what your doing out here in these parts of the western sierras. It is going to be tough but I'm up for the challenge and I want to be a part of that 7-10% in d7 that fills a tag. I've been scouting new places high and low and trying to learn new terrain
Last edited:
Colorado cowboy let me know I you do hunt d7 maybe ill see you back there, it would be great to meet someone who has done it all before and I'm a quick learner. ill be packing in from the granite creek area just not to sure on a definite route still overlooking my maps and planning
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
We always come in from the Mammoth Mt. side, the eastern edge of D7. I've backpacked into there and done some fishing too. If you look at my album you will see some Piute Cutthroats which F & G asked us where to plant them so they could be in a real remote area that sees few fisherman. I won't be hunting it this year as I have a full plate here in Colorado for deer. elk and hopefully desert sheep.
Keep in touch, good to hear from you.
CC
Keep in touch, good to hear from you.
CC
I have a question? If I backpacked in on foot could I use the trail where they pack in with the horses and mules?
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Sawfish
Very Active Member
We just returned from our annual Timeshare week in Mammoth. The moisture situation is dire. No precipitation during the week we were there, and very little snow at the higher elevations. When we arrived on the 12th, a few die hards were still trying to ski the rocks. After a couple of days, they ceased selling lift tickets, and by Wednesday, the town was deserted. Weather guessers were claiming only 15% moisture in the Mammoth area. This was the worst that we have seen it in almost 30 years! Hopefully, Mammoth will get some late rains, or a Mother's Day snowstorm.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
raekit
New Member
We have backpacked the past two year into D7 during rifle season. Year one we saw nothing, year two we payed more attention to water and we saw quite a few does. No bucks yet, but year three is right around the corner! Even if you don't spot a deer it sure is beautiful country!
I seen tons of does last year in groups of 3-5 mostly, only seen one spike that hadn't even forked yet. I even stalked some does for quite a while hoping a buck would come in. This year is be the one that I get my first deer, my dad and I have been putting work and walking miles, I found some great spots that I need to keep checking. Hey I you guys ever are on YouTube check out out Cameron Hanes beast mode hunting. He's my new role model and if stick to it and keep working hard it will pay off. I have to do what other hunters wont do for success because its too hard, too far, too much
Its been snowing up above 6500 often for the last two and half weeks, big snow storm for the sierras tonight above 7000 hopefully it sticks and lasts for a while we need it. I've seen the water rise alot at some the high lakes