Here in the central CA Sierra foothills, 3000' ft level, we haven't had snow since last winter. Had three 19" snowfalls last winter. Doesn't last long at this level. It can mess up your commute for a day or two though. It seems that the county road out here is about the last one in the county to get plowed. The wife keeps hoping for a nice sized snowfall while we're up here for a weekend so she can call in to work and tell them she's snowbound. Deer season was over Oct. 7th, so there wasn't much weather to contend with.

A17shooter. Do you know where Cabbage Patch is? East of Stockton about the 8,000 foot level?

1895ss wrote:

Heck, I've even rode on a dead deer down hills. They make pretty good sleighs but you have to have them go down head first.

Oh, I'd like to see that! The picture I have in my head just doesn't seem right.


Cheers, Vince

Well we got 5 inches as of right now, and it just started freezing raining out about 15 minutes ago.

Bushmaster wrote:

A17shooter. Do you know where Cabbage Patch is? East of Stockton about the 8,000 foot level?

Have to admit that I don't. But, a Google Earth search found Cabbage Patch Loop over by Arnold, just off of Hwy 4 out of Stockton. That is at the 7000 ft level. From where I'm sitting, typing this, Cabbage Patch Loop is about 30 miles, if you go through the forest service roads. Does that sound like the place?

That's the place. Goofed on the altitude because our camp was at 8,000 feet Up between Cabbage Patch and Salt Springs Resevoir. Place called Bear Trap Basin and Jelmini Basin. I've pulled some nice bucks out of there. One being a 4x4. Tough and sage and mesquite tasting though...You can run a two wheel drive pickup clear back there. Unless it snows. I got caught in 3 feet of snow back there during Buck season...Tented up and continued hunting. Bit of warning...The day before it dropped 3 feet on us it was 70 degrees the day before...

We didn't camp in Bear Trap. We camped above it. There is a cabin at the end of the road in Bear Trap and a meadow that may have been a pasture or hay field for the homesteader that built the cabin many years ago. Jelmini Basin was also a homestead at one time...

This area is BLM land and they run cattle on it in the spring after the snow and during the summer. They move the cattle out before hunting season and the snow...

We ended up with around 8" of snow, which is better for walking.
I will be a[ "good boy" ] at home today, and hob-nob with the "War Dept."[my lovely Wife ], and Monday I will hit the woods.

Eric

Bushmaster wrote:

I got caught in 3 feet of snow back there during Buck season...Tented up and continued hunting. Bit of warning...The day before it dropped 3 feet on us it was 70 degrees the day before... We didn't camp in Bear Trap. We camped above it. There is a cabin at the end of the road in Bear Trap and a meadow that may have been a pasture or hay field for the homesteader that built the cabin many years ago. Jelmini Basin was also a homestead at one time...

Found the area on google earth. Next to Jelmini creek is a large meadow area with a cabin or barn structure. I'll have to try and visit that area before long. Interestingly, there is also a reported sasquatch sighting around there. I have heard that the females will come by and 'comfort' a snowbound trapper or hunter. It has been reported that they can be lured in by the smell of RonRico 151 or Jack Daniels. I don't suppose you had one of them 'sasquatch encounters' while you were snowbound.

We were in for 10 days. By the time I got out of there I bet I smelled like a male sasquatch...A good hunt though. My partner and I took one buck each out of there that week...

Bushmaster wrote:

FALPhil...You have no idea what it is to hunt in snow??...Much more enjoyable then in the rain.

You are making an assumption there, Bushy. Not one that is warranted. I have hunted in snow. That doesn't mean I like it. Actually, I really do like hunting in a slow drizzle. It keeps the smells down, it covers up noise, and generally keeps other hunters at home. I've always had good hunting in a drizzle.

Light rain and drizzles work for me...Pretty much for the same reason...

Opening day I always pray for the lousiest weather possible. It discourages the would-be and city hunters to not hunt ever again...

FALPhil wrote:

Bushmaster wrote: FALPhil...You have no idea what it is to hunt in snow??...Much more enjoyable then in the rain. You are making an assumption there, Bushy. Not one that is warranted. I have hunted in snow. That doesn't mean I like it. Actually, I really do like hunting in a slow drizzle. It keeps the smells down, it covers up noise, and generally keeps other hunters at home. I've always had good hunting in a drizzle.

Bushmaster wrote:

Light rain and drizzles work for me...Pretty much for the same reason... Opening day I always pray for the lousiest weather possible. It discourages the would-be and city hunters to not hunt ever again....

Oh you nasty buggers....I thought I was the only one that thought like that.


I love walking around the scrub in the rain. Doesn't matter if its heavy or a light drizzle...everything is just so serene...and of course as you rightly point out "It keeps the smells down, it covers up noise".

Cheers, Vince

In the western mountains, when the storms roll in, the deer start to move down into the canyons and valleys. In Bushmaster's hunting tale the, 3 ft he experienced at around 8000 ft may have been 6 ft at the higher altitudes. When that happens the mixed pine-oak forest at the lower altitudes have less snow and more chow. Of course the deer risk crossing paths with a hunter while making the transit.

ElyBoy wrote:

A guy can't use a snowmobile or any ATV in the woods until 10:00am to transport deer out. I agree with this law. It keeps the slobs out of the woods. If you want to hunt, walk to get your game. Eric

That's applause you're hearing from Manitoba Eric, well stated.

vince you look like wise man , and would like to ask a question maybe you can help me