Country Living Wildlife - Deer Hunting

Deer hunting is one of the most popular outdoor activities in America, and the abundance of game in and around Modoc County make it a favored destination during hunting season. In the fall of each year hunters flock to this area of northeastern California in search of their trophy buck. This page offers information on local resources and tips for first-time hunters and veterans alike. Stalking Deer While Deer Hunting

Deer hunting is no longer really necessary to provide meat for the family dinner table. It is rather an outdoor sport enjoyed by millions hunters. It is also a big time business, especially in California. Each year tens of millions of hunters hit the field and spend billions of dollars on everything from weapons, ammo and licenses to gear, food, travel and lodging all across America. In 2001, this popular outdoor activity supported an estimated 239 million jobs.

If you’ve never hunted before, and walked into The Sports Hut or The Belligerent Duck on Main Street in Alturas to get outfitted for deer hunting, be prepared to lay down your plastic to the tune of about $1000.00! That would include about $65 for a basic license and deer tag, basic weapon/ammo of choice and basic outfitting. That would not include travel, food and accommodations.

But wait! Paying for your rifle, ammo, gear and license is quick and easy. You’ve got to strictly follow federal and state laws regarding gun ownership, including background check and waiting period. Simply writing a check for the license and tag is the easy part! Before you can get your license you must also complete a state-authorized hunter education course of instruction or pass a comprehensive equivalency test.

The Hunter Education course consists of about ten hours of instruction which includes classroom, homework, and field instruction. Instruction covers the following areas: firearms safety and handling, sportsmanship and ethics, wildlife management and conservation, archery, black powder, wildlife identification, game care, first aid, and survival. There is usually a fee involved with these classes, and they are offered fairly regularly in most counties. You can also complete a course on-line and through home study.

The state is divided into hunting zones for the general deer hunting season and also for special hunts (archery, muzzle-loaders, etc.). The number of tags available is based on herd size and harvest quotas for each year. An annual drawing is held to determine which applicants receive tags for each zone. The state is divided into A, B, C, D and X zones for the general hunting season. Modoc County is divided between portions of X1, X2, X3a and X3b zones. For 2007, the general deer season is October 6-21. For a closer look at current license fees and regulations, season dates, hunting zones, harvest quotas, and tag drawing information for deer hunting in California, visit the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) website.

Buck Mule Deer Picture Now that you’ve made the initial investment, got your weapon, completed basic education and received your licenses, the real challenges begin. One of the first challenges is deciding on where to bag that trophy buck. The best tip for first-time hunters is to pick an area not too distant from home that you are somewhat familiar with and get your feet wet. After getting a little experience, you can start following advice from leading magazines and articles and veteran hunters (if they’re willing to share) on the best areas to hunt.

In addition to providing a diversion and outdoor sporting activity, licensed deer hunting helps control herd size. This contributes greatly to the animal's conservation and overall health, and creates a good balance of human population growth and wildlife preservation. It also regulates herd size in relationship with habitat quality, namely the deer’s food sources. California’s deer herd size over the past thirty years has remained between 400,000 and 700,000. This is generally accepted as a sustainable herd size given habitat quality, and hunters’ harvests each year help maintain a sustainable herd size.

Once you’re well educated, well equipped and a little seasoned at deer hunting, you’ll be ready to join the hunters who flock to northeastern California in search of your trophy buck. You’ll be ready to enjoy the great outdoors while engaging in one of the most popular activities in America, and maybe get to use that favorite venison recipe! We hope this page has provided the right deer hunting information for you.