how to prep for a hunt

[blakeschack5466]

My brother in law and i are planning on going on our first deer hunt next august. We are planning on backpacking in to california's B2 zone.

What should we be doing to prepare for this hunt? How much and when should we scout?

thanks

[lpcjon2]

I would get as many maps,arial photos as possible,and get recent weather data for the past three years for that area during the time you will be there.

  get all the essential gear you will need,check it twice and as you get closer to the departure date check it again. Make sure its in good working order.

   Talk to local who may have hunted it before, they are a great source of info.
  Have an emergency plan that you and him know that covers all possible emergencies. Leave a mapped route of the areas you will be going to with someone who you may check in with, and leave a date of entry and return with them so they know the itinerary.

  Exercise and make sure your food and water resources are good and available. and have fun.

[Mike Vines]

First thing I would do is edit your post to get rid of where your going.  Only speak in general locations, unless you would like a bunch of other people who cherry pick websites for good hunting spots to be camped next to you.

Contact the USGS, and get all the topo maps of the area you plan on hunting, call the wildlife biologist for that area, tell them what your wanting to do and hunt.  Call the game warden for that area for the same thing.  They are there to help, and in general are really nice guys/gals.  When you cal them, have all your questions written down.  Nothing worse then a bunch of "um's and ah's".  Best way to put it is you are preparing for an interview, and want to be the one they choose.  

Get in as good a shape as you think you can, then do more.  It will only improve your hunt.  

Enjoy the experience, because to me, this is the fun part of thehunt.

[Archie]

Originally posted by Mike Vines:
First thing I would do is edit your post to get rid of where your going.  Only speak in general locations, unless you would like a bunch of other people who cherry pick websites for good hunting spots to be camped next to you.

x2

The first thing I thought when I saw your post was, "Not good to post locations in a forum like this."  

The second thing I thought was, "I ought to check a map and see how good that spot looks..."

[old_goat2]

There are state forums here and else where that would be good to post on too

[Roadkill]

find water sources via a map recon.  My time in both southern a nd northern CA was made successful by working water sources.  
Work out-if you hunt the ridges do stairs
get good glass-learn to use it
we try to out distance others-blessing and a curse.
locate quad trails-use them to your advantage
patience pays
practice shooting in narrow lanes so you are confident at threading arrows thru brushy lanes
go hunt jacks there so you get to know the place well-so you can get above others at dawn-let them work for you