Hunting X6B California

[K2herman]

Hi All,

My first post and I'm looking for advice on hunting X6b on the California/Nevada border. Never been to this area and hunting Muley for the first time. I've been searching the net unsuccessfully for any forums and found an old forum from 2003 with some info. Most of what I've found has been on the DFG website and mostly complaints about poor land/game management.

Anybody had any recent experience there?

Thanks in advance,
K2herman

 

[goindeep]

X6b can be a tough hunt. Do you have much time to scout?

 

[JReeves]

I haven't ever hunted anything on that side of the border for deer, but I have spent some time in that area, fishing and chasing birds. You'll find that there are going to be a ton of people out there, so keep that in mind when deciding where you want to focus your attention. It'll take some leg work to get away from the other people, as that unit has a ton of roads and not a lot of area to get far off of them. Obviously the game refuge right in the middle of the unit is off limits, but people will be buzzing around every road bordering that. If I were to hunt that unit, I'd head east. I'd work Crystal Peak, and the East side of that range above Doyle, but don't rule out the West facing slopes of the Petersen's... You only get a little sliver of them on the California side, but there is some steep faces that hide a few nice bowls and some good deer country.

 

[K2herman]

Unfortunately no time to scout, I live 500 miles South. But I'm with a group who has scouted the area twice in the last month stating they've seen numerous deer, several bucks.

 

[K2herman]

Thanks JReeves, I'll keep those areas and ideas in mind. I've been going over topos and google earth for the last two weeks trying to outsmart the deer and the deer hunters I'm sure we'll run into! Seems like there's 4WD roads everywhere...
You did just give me something else to hunt for! Apparently Mountain quail are in season from Sept 14 - Oct 18. I'll be bringing my shotgun along in case I manage to bag a buck early in the week. Anxious to get into camo and get into the outdoors. Can only take so much city living....

 

[elkgrunt]

I have lived and hunted this area most of my life, if it storms focus on the southeast side of the dixie refuge.....

 

[goindeep]

Try up near the border of X6A in the old antelope fire area. Going to be a lot of people in the area for the opener but you'll have a lot of the zone to yourself after the first week.

 

[K2herman]

Thanks goindeep, I'll put that one down on the list. I'm there from opening day to Oct 11. Hoping it thins out during the week--hunters that is!

 

[BigSurArcher]

I've got that tag as well, can't wait.

 

[Rob P]

My friend and I will hunting up there as well. We scouted last weekend. Saw 70 deer in all 6 of them being bucks.

 

[BossBrott]

I've got that tag as well, can't wait.

I've seen the quality of 6a bucks, now lets see what BSA pulls out!

 

[K2herman]

Tagged my first Muley on Oct 8, 1PM about 0.8 miles NW of Meadow View Campground, elevation was 6650'. One shot, 293 yds with .257 Wby, 115 gr Nosler Partition. 250+lbs
Thanks to all who offered tips on the best places to hunt X6b. We left on Friday but four out of five of us bagged bucks in excess of 200lbs! Hellavu week!!