Hi tdbob,
CA does have huge mule deer. But it's hard as hell in a state with 30+ million people to draw a tag where one has a chance at a trophy. That's why I've given up. It's too frustrating.
I fish in the Eastern Sierra. While I don't see a lot of bucks during summer months, I have seen a few that I wish I could hunt. There are some bruisers in the Eastern Sierra. But on the whole, mule deer are bigger in Rocky Mountain states.
Some 30 years ago CA was supposed to commit to improving the quality of its trophy herd, but as far as I know, there's not a single CA mule deer in B&C. I'm sure CA's mountain lion hunting ban has something to do with it. And God knows, bears in the Eastern Sierra don't get 500lbs & better dining only on trout.
