I believe I drove through that part of D5 hunting area a few weeks ago. I drove from the Russian River to Lake of the Springs. I saw quit a few big black tail deer around Oregon house or Lake of the Springs.
What part of D5 were you scouting.
I got drawn for the D9 area. I have never hunted in that area, so it will be tough when you are not familiar with an area. I will go and scout it out to see what there is.

Hunt upper french gulch in Piute off the D-9. Good places in Breckenridge too

Man I wish I had gotten this information sooner. I drove from highway 14 to the Lake and could not find any public entrances, so I turned back and just gave it up for this year.
I am taking a drive on my coach to N. Mex. in a few days, but maybeac when I get back I might attempt it. I have to look at the map to see where these areas are.
Thanks for the info.
Ray

I'm not even sure where highway 14 is so I don't use it often lol But yeah, Piute Mountain in D-9 above Walker Basin has had an excellent fork and double double turnout this year and bears as well if you have tags. Breckridge is nice too, that's south of Lkae Isabella by about 14 miles or so?

Not too familiar with D-9, but we were hunting both Spicer Reservoir area and 7N09, both off HWY 4 between Arnold and Bear Valley. We saw a ton of does, a couple of bucks (only one good shooter, but after shoot time), and not much in the way of bear.

We were there though following opening weekend, and the locals said there were a TON of folks up there. There was also an almost full moon while we were there, so made for tough conditions. We're planning to go back in two weeks when there's been less pressure and its not so bright out at night. If nothing else, we found some great spots for next time out with a ton of deer sign.

It's interesting that you live in the bay area and drove all the way up here to hunt! I always thought there was good hunting around there, but I'm not too familiar with the two names you mentioned above. I usually stick in the kern county region, and I think D-9 is only in Kern County, possibly the mojave district. Yeah, Deer have been very goodon Piute mountain. Scout it out on Google Earth and look up French Gulch. Have to be careful though cuz some of the area is closed off due to arsenic levels left by the miners back in the day. Lots of Bear during archery season, I don;t know how well they stick around once general opens up lol. Mountain quail and Grey trees are really good up there too. Anyways goodluck to you, and if you have any more questions about there areas between breckenridge mountain and Piute, just ask!
Ryan

Great hunting in the bay area? It would be great hunting in the bay area because no one can legally hunt there unless they are on their own property. There are tons of deer in the hills over there but the bay area doesn't have any public land for hunting, just a liberal hell hole!