The 2019-20 Hunt Report
2019 was a tough year for RP&BAC as far as Deer tags went. Nobody drew an out of state or California X Zone tag. Therefore, we had to resort to other options. I had my first deep sea fishing adventure and Eric and David tried out a new Elk hunting zone in Colorado on an OTC tag. We managed to keep the tradition of Javalina hunting in southern Arizona and some of us visited the CRIT for ducks. You can’t expect to draw a premium tag every year and I think this year taught us that if we expand our options, we can still fill that game fridge.
JOHNNY’S FIRST DEEP SEA ADVENTURE
In October, I did something I had never done before, I took a hunt-cation. I took three solid weeks off work to dedicate to hunting and fishing. It all began on Halloween night when I left for San Diego to embark on my first overnight boat and boy did it pay off. I was the newbie on a boat with only 10 anglers. As the Aztec motored off into the night sea I wondered if I would get seasick. I set a goal of catching 3 fish.
Just before 6am, I woke up to catch the sun as it broke the Horizon. I was ecstatic I wasn’t sick. I smelled boat bacon for the first time. I’m not sure what the secret is but boat bacon is quite possibly the most appetizing smell I have ever smelled. I tried replicating boat bacon at home with no success. On this trip, I didn’t have time to eat breakfast. The trolling reel started winding and the bite was on from until close to 11am. The deckhand put me on my first large fish that morning and 25 minutes later he was gaffing it and slinging it into a steady growing pile of dead Tuna.
My arms and back were gassed and my mind was in disbelief. I was not prepared when the deckhand yelled at me to keep fishing! Dear God! what was I going to do if I caught another one? It wasn’t much longer before my line was bit again. Long story short, I had my three fish before lunch time and half a day of fishing left. I’d catch two more 20-30 pounders on top of the three I had already caught and the boat caught a couple 150-200 pounders off the kite. Guys caught so much fish they were giving it away in the parking lot because they didn’t have room in their coolers and this is where I cashed in on four more tuna.
I learned a couple of things. Always bring a big enough cooler because you never know what you will run into. Secondly, when the bite is on, the Tuna are frenzied. You will know it right away because guys will start getting bit quick. However, if you are fishing with live bait and not getting bit, reel back in and put on a new bait. Keep doing this every 10-15 seconds until your line gets bit. As I was told, only 1 out of every 10 or so baits will attract a bite.
ERIC & DAVID’S COLORADO OTC ELK HUNT
Speaking of other new experiences, Eric Toms took a chance and picked up an OTC Elk tag in Unit 33 of Colorado. Dave Lee jumped on board to support the hunt. As I understand it, of the 4 days they allotted themselves to hunt, they were only actually able to hunt about a day and half. That’s the interesting thing about Colorado. Eric and Dave hunted at elevations of over 10,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains. The weather appeared crisp and beautiful driving in but they ultimately ended up hunting in the snow.
One of the benefits of being a member of the RP&BAC is we like to help each other. That means we are open to loaning gear to a hunter in need. One of the highlights of that trip was breaking in the all weather tent which Eric reported was warmer than the camper used by his fellow colleagues who also joined the hunt. Having access to this type of gear is essential to expanding our hunting options.
I believe Unit 33 is a solid 15-hour drive from Southern California. However, that’s not a problem when you are experienced fly rod fishermen like Eric & Dave. In fact, rods are often a necessity when hunting big game with these guys. Like I mentioned before, it’s another option.
Ultimately, the odds were stacked against Eric and Dave with the weather and the new hunt zone. Regardless, these guys paved the way for RP&BAC to start getting boots in the snow in Colorado. As always, the more time you spend in the field, the more likely you are to be successful.
BOB & STEVE’S COLORADO RIVER DUCK HUNT
Steve has been hunting the CRIT for many years and Bob has been alive for many years…hahaha. For the last few seasons, these guys have had some success out there. One of the interesting things about this hunt is it allows you to bring a dog and Steve has invested in a solid one. Further, obtaining a permit to hunt the CRIT only requires that you stop in at the Fish and Game Dept. in Parker and pay for the duck stamp and license. No draw or reservation required. However, if you go in there, remember you are on the reservation and are dealing with a citizen of a sovereign nation.
If you can get passed the lady at the Fish & Game counter, the CRIT can be an upland game hunter’s paradise. In addition to ducks and geese, you can hunt rabbits, Dove and quail, all when in season. Do not forget to bring a fishing rod.
You can camp anywhere on the reservation with little restriction. But, If you choose to stay at the Starlight Inn in Parker, they will allow you to bring your dog as long as you are willing to pay a $15 pet cleaning deposit. The owner of the motel is a nice guy as well. During the final week of my hunt-cation, I hunted the CRIT and had a blast. The CRIT is a regular spot for most RP&BAC guys.
D11
D11 in Southern California is far down the list of destination hunts comparatively speaking. Terrain is difficult, weather is hot and its right next to one of the largest metropolitan areas on the planet. If you can get a buck here, you should consider it a trophy. According to Fish and Wildlife statistics, there is a 6% success rate in this area. Id venture to say that the 6% are hunters who have spent considerable amounts of time learning the location.
With all the challenges, I find it enticing. It’s not very far from me and there are sources of running water year-round. There are game animals in these mountains and I will find them. I’m excited to think when the day finally comes the day comes when I harvest my first deer from my local hunting grounds, less than a couple hours from home.
Small Fish
Fishing is something that we do in between hunts. Some of the guys at RP&BAC really get into it. Dave, Eric, Pete and Chris use float tubes and kayaks to get out on the water. I think Pete and Dave have fish finders on their rigs. Access to ponds and lakes isn’t much of a problem in Southern California and occasionally the guys make it out to Newport Harbor. It’s a relaxing way to spend a day.
I’d like to get more involved with surf fishing. I bought a couple 9’ rods with Okuma reels to get set up and it has been a lot of fun. There is a lot to fishing and if you don’t have somebody to guide you, it can be like trying to find your car keys in the dark. I was lucky to meet Ben who had a natural teaching ability, much like Bob. I was smart enough to listen to Ben and my next trip to my local spot resulted in me catching a sand bass and a small halibut in succession. One summer day soon, I plan to paddle out on my long board with my fish gear and cast out.
2020 Javelina Hunt
Not every hunt is spent connecting with the outdoors in silence. Sometimes, it just becomes about finding a restaurant that makes good margaritas or the party and beers at Mike’s house. Seriously, a group of dedicated hunters traveling hundreds of miles to harvest what’s known as a skunk pig? There were a lot of things going on but the time spent in the Sonoran Desert together was well worth it.
Within any group there is a diversity of personalities. At times, it’s chaotic. As I walked alone in the desert, I could hear Bob’s voice in the back of my head, “you guys need to make a plan”. At the time, my plan was to search for Javelina. Search I did, but found none. Then, I couldn’t find base camp. Having learned from a previous hunt that communication is important, I brought a radio. I was able to find the road we drove in on and sat there in the wind and rain waiting to be picked up. It was a quiet ride back to our base camp. Our next movement would be to a Mexican restaurant. Even then, we were out of sink. Eric and Augie showed up 20 minutes after the rest of the group and ended up eating by themselves.
The second day was better. I bunked with Michael. I liked Michael the moment he stepped out of his vehicle on the first day of the hunt and bagged three jack rabbits in succession… not to kill, to eat. Michael and I exchanged life stories and woke up a few hours later for the second day of the hunt. The planning and organization was better and Augie soon spotted Javelinas. All spread out but in radio communication, we created a plan to move in. However, the rugged terrain worked in the Javelina’s favor and they found a cut that ran along the base of the mountain to escape. As we trailed them, we found their beds and food supply. Structure was forming. Dave filled in for Bob and listened to radio traffic while eating a sandwich.
No doubt, this trip was a bunch of guys hunting together that haven’t much hunted together. A javelina hunt is the perfect hunt to do that. In a sport where you have to depend on somebody forces us to choose our hunting partners wisely. The Javelina hunt was an opportunity to forge that bond and develop relationships with multiple partners. In a world where the fraternity of men is under attack, these gatherings, upon reflection, become sacred.
