October 24, 2016 by Shawn Chittim
In July of 2016, SC2 Outdoors was presented with the opportunity to take over the wildlife management of this premier Shasta County Ranch. This ranch sits entirely within California Deer Management Zone C3 and has historically provided some of the best wintering ground for the migratory blacktails found in the C Zone. Our task is to restore the quality and quantity of wildlife and habitat on the ranch, in turn providing our clients with a premium hunting destination.
Based on the geographical location of the ranch, not only does it provide an opportunity for migratory deer it also can hold fantastic local deer year-round. For our first season, we elected to take only 3 blacktail hunters on the ranch, allowing us to assess the current deer numbers of both the local and migratory population during the general hunting season. Our clientele list consisted of 2 returning clients and 1 new client based on a recommendation, our season was scheduled.
Hunt No. 1
Our first deer hunting client on the ranch was Josh, as a local businessman Josh is extremely busy. Hunting with us gave him the flexibility to hunt evenings, allowing him to concentrate on his business, yet get away and hunt a few hours as his schedule permitted. We were committed to his success while working around his busy schedule.
In our preseason scouting we located 2 great local blacktail bucks that would be our primary focus. We hunted several evenings and a couple mornings with Josh. He was putting in his time in a solid effort of trying to take one of the two bucks. These bucks were old for a reason, silly as it seems it felt like they were taunting us. As Josh’s hunt was nearing its end, he asked to bring out his daughter for the evening hunt. On that evening accompanied by his daughter, Josh took this nice blacktail. I don’t think he would have traded shooting one of the two bucks without her for the hunt they got to experience together, to that I can speak from experience. It was pretty awesome to be a part of that evening, a solid reminder that hunting is best shared with family and friends.
Hunt No. 2
Our second client was Jim aka “JP”, earlier this year JP took his first big game animal with us on an April Hog hunt, this would be his first deer hunt. The morning started off with a slight wind and light rain and we saw plenty of deer, including both of the big bucks that we had been after since the season started. After the morning hunt we broke for lunch upon returning for the afternoon we were greeted by 25 to 30 mph south wind and pelting rains, the deer had taken to their best hidey holes. As luck would have it, we found this great buck hiding in a thicket on a north facing slope out of the wind. JP made a great shot on a super blacktail and just like that he was a big buck hunter.
Hunt No. 3
Our final deer hunter would be Brad; he was also a returning client of SC2 Outdoors. Brad booked a Big Valley Antelope hunt with us in 2015 and took a great pronghorn. He had booked his hunt for the coveted last 5 days of the C3 Zone season. Our hopes would be that the past storms would have begun to push the migratory deer down into the wintering grounds.
Once again we had an opportunity to take both of the bucks that we had been either seeing in person or on camera since the beginning of July. The old adage is true these bucks were big for a reason. Not only were they cagey they were extremely lucky as well. On Friday Brad elected to take a nice boar during the afternoon hunt. Saturday morning, we had a chance at one of the migratory bucks which didn’t work out, but that evening Brad elected to take this nice blacktail in his bed after laying on him for about 45 minutes to get up.
It was a Win, Win in 2016
Our 3 hunters took 3 bucks all over the age of 3 ½ year, part of our management plan moving forward is to get our harvested bucks at the age of 5 ½ years. Each of our hunters had a memorable hunt and left with a nice blacktail buck. We had several bucks get through which we would have very much liked to have taken this year, we expect they’ll be back next year and if not we are confident their offspring will.
I can’t say enough about my partner and best friend; Shelley was vital to our success on both hunts she was able to attend. Her ability and instinct to have the patience to find the ghostly blacktail buck is impressive. While I’m a little more eager to move on, she’s much better at putting her faith in knowledge we’ve gained in our scouting sessions. That is exactly why we have made a great team for all these years.
Can’t wait for 2017…
Posted in: News, California Deer Hunting, Wild Hog Hunting - California
