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Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
New Member
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OP
New Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5 |
I’ve read a few posts already but a question. I’m hunting in CA and have a little lake picked out to hunt out of. I’ve seen tracks around the lake but I know there are also a few springs around the area. When I say “around” I mean within 1/2 mile or so and I have seen tracks in the area too.
My plan was to use the lake as a base camp for a few nights. Since I see tracks and I know this is a watering hole should I stay away from the lake and camp up the mountain away from the lake and glass the lake early and late? The springs do have some tree cover so it would be hard to watch them from a distance.
Thought??
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,445 |
Prohibitions for camping at a lake. Besides, why scare game away...use springs as a water source.
Any high ground within range with cover would be ideal.
Don't ask me about my military service or heroic acts...most of it is untrue.
Pronoun: Yes, SIR !
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,387
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,387 |
If water sources are limited it is best to camp at least 100 yards from the water.
mike r
Don't wish it were easier Wish you were better
Stab them in the taint, you can't put a tourniquet on that. Craig Douglas ECQC
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,087
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,087 |
Elk country is full of hunters that camp right where elk have fed or watered. Some even close to bedding areas.Those are usually part of the 80% that never kill an elk and make it harder for those that do.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,930 Likes: 15
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,930 Likes: 15 |
Uhh, I think that is 90%.....
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,087
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,087 |
Uhh, I think that is 90%..... Probably so. I was being generous.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 53
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 53 |
I was not born in CA, but did lived and hunted there for about 20 years (before I moved away). It is my experience that those tracks around the lake that you see are probably being made at night. You will not likely see a mature California Mulie or Blacktail buck going down to a lake for a drink during daylight hours. Just my experience.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 28,172 |
I was not born in CA, but did lived and hunted there for about 20 years (before I moved away). It is my experience that those tracks around the lake that you see are probably being made at night. You will not likely see a mature California Mulie or Blacktail buck going down to a lake for a drink during daylight hours. Just my experience. Nothing's changed, and your experience says it well. Also, people tend to camp in low lying areas where it's colder and damper, like next to a stream or lake. Those are some of the poorest choices for camping spots in cooler weather.
Hunt with Class and Classics
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,396 Likes: 4
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,396 Likes: 4 |
I’ve been hunting mulies for over 60 years. Maybe it’s just luck but I don’t recall ever having seen a buck watering in daylight, at least not in the open. Maybe they’d drink from small streams in cover.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,971
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,971 |
... why scare game away...use springs as a water source.
Any high ground within range with cover would be ideal. ^^^ This is good advice. ^^^ Best to camp some place where you can glass and not scare game away. Place your camp where it's secluded and near your glassing spot. I haven't seen animals at water sources during the day. I concentrate on travel corridors to/from water. Specially in the late afternoon when it's warm and dry. Arrive at your glassing spot at dawn. Take a nap in the middle of the day, just like the animals. Then start glassing again in the afternoon.
Wind in my hair, Sun on my face, I gazed at the wide open spaces, And I was at home.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,226
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,226 |
Great post OP. Enjoying the responses.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,173
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,173 |
Take a nap in the middle of the day, just like the animals. Solid plan right there
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390 |
Elk country is full of hunters that camp right where elk have fed or watered. Some even close to bedding areas.Those are usually part of the 80% that never kill an elk and make it harder for those that do. You have found a good hunting area. Do not ruin it by camping in it. Unless you don't want to hunt there.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,311 Likes: 9
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,311 Likes: 9 |
This was an archery hunted mule deer. Very secluded wilderness, so undisturbed and unhunted deer. Came to water at 2pm. I try to find places other hunters don't go, where deer can act naturally.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 31,428
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 31,428 |
Also, people tend to camp in low lying areas where it's colder and damper, like next to a stream or lake. Those are some of the poorest choices for camping spots in cooler weather. Or camping where the rocks are cooking you in the warm weather. Learned about cool and damp and hot and miserable the hard way. Wayyy wayyy too much cool and damp honestly. This might not be perfect if hunting this area, however, it was a cozy overnight.
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