California Buck Hunting

The first four deer of the season showed up last week. I saw another four yesterday morning — all does and fawns, no bucks yet. It’s a satisfying feeling to see them again.

Yesterday I was near the road when a truck barreled down the pavement toward all of us. I stepped off to the shoulder, but the doe and fawn took their sweet time. I yelled, “Get going!” They didn’t move until the truck was twenty yards away. Then they sprinted across the asphalt and cleared the fence in a single bound.

Some years I start counting deer in April, when I’m in the forest for turkey season. I didn’t make it out for turkey this year. It takes patience to sit in a blind for those stubborn birds. Instead, I went rockfishing with my son. In a kayak I’m always moving. It requires less patience — and the reward comes quicker.

I count deer from the 101 freeway, too. They linger in the fringe areas. I’d rather spot them deep in the forest on public land. But there they are, smack in the middle of wild oats on private ground — the white squares on the map. Eventually they’ll drift back into the green. Into cover. Into public land.

I’ll keep looking for my opportunity.

If you’d like, I can also shape this into something more lyrical, more rugged, or more suited for a hunting blog or marketing piece for your guiding work in Nevada.

make the blog more entertaining and get clients to book

Love this angle. I’ll turn it into something that keeps your authentic voice — but adds energy, tension, and a clear call to action that makes hunters want to book with you.

Opening Week Movement: They’re Showing Themselves

The first four deer of the season stepped out last week.

Yesterday morning, I saw four more — all does and fawns. No bucks yet.

And that’s exactly what you want to see.

When the does are relaxed and feeding, the bucks aren’t far behind. The woods are waking up.

Yesterday I was standing near the road when a truck came barreling down the pavement toward us. I stepped off the shoulder. The doe and fawn? They took their sweet time. I finally yelled, “Get going!”

Nothing.

Twenty yards out, that truck was still coming.

Then instinct kicked in.

They exploded across the asphalt and cleared the fence like it wasn’t even there.

That kind of moment reminds you how fast things happen. One second calm. The next second chaos. If you’re not ready, you miss it.

That’s hunting.

Where They Are — And Where They’ll Be

Some years I start counting deer in April during turkey season. I didn’t get out for turkey this spring — rockfishing with my son won that battle. In a kayak you’re always moving. It takes less patience than sitting in a blind waiting on a stubborn gobbler.

But deer season? Different story.

I count them from the 101 freeway, too. They love the fringe. Standing belly-deep in wild oats on private land — the white squares on the map.

Smart deer.

But here’s the thing most hunters miss:

They don’t stay there.

Pressure changes patterns. Feed dries up. Heat shifts movement. And eventually, those deer slide into the green — into cover — into public ground.

And when they do, you need to know:

Where they cross
Where they bed
Where they stage before last light

That’s not luck. That’s time in the field.

What This Means For You

Right now the woods are talking.

Does are comfortable.
Fawns are moving.
Patterns are forming.

The bucks will show.

When they do, the hunters who have already been watching will have the edge.

If you’re tired of:

Hiking miles without seeing deer
Hunting pressure zones
Guessing instead of knowing

Then it’s time to hunt with someone who’s already counting them.

I’m in the field. I’m watching movement. I’m tracking transitions from private to public. I know when they shift.

Spots fill every season because opportunity isn’t random — it’s timed.

If you want a real chance this year, message me now and let’s lock in your dates before the movement peaks.

The deer are already showing themselves.

The question is — will you be there when the bucks

Be There when the Buck Are

Opening Week Movement: They’re Showing Themselves

Where They Are — And Where They’ll Be

What This Means For You