I've not hunted in socal and really have no one to hunt with. Looking to hunt in cleveland and need a parter, someone to show me the ropes around here.
Not a first time hunter, just new to socal hunting.
I've got my tags and am ready to go. Both deer and pig.
Aaron
Aaron,
Welcome to the site! Hopefully you will stick around and check out some of the forums, and contribute some. There's lots of good stuff to be found here.
There are a few of us on here that are around that area. I have been hunting the National forest, not very successfully, for 10 years or so. I was out yesterday with my G-13 tag. Only found tracks and droppings, but no living deer. Know a couple of my buddies that scored on nice deer.
Anyway, I have replied to a few other guys with some infor on here. Look through the first few pages of this section and find any threads concerning the San Diego area.
Let me know what you would like to have for further info. I know the land really well, I just don't get out as much and commit as much time as I need to be successful. Good luck to you!
Thanks for the welcome. I went out last Sat, but had problems finding access to where I was trying to get to. I was looking at the NW area of Cleveland where the San Diego River is. But access seems to be difficult. I did see a nice 4 point on private land.
I attached a pic of where I was trying to get to (circled in yellow), just southeast of the 78 on the way to Santa Ysabel.
If I can't find a hunting partner, I would love some tips to access points into that area.
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Well, that's a good place to start. How did you try to get in there? It's really rough there. At the bottom of your map, you will see Eagle Peak Rd. That. along with Boulder Creek Rd just to the east, are your 2 most accessible, and because of that, most hunted areas of the Nat Forest. I hunted Boulder Creek Rd. for the opening morning last year, and I think I saw 28 vehicles just on that road when I left.
If you get one of the spiral bound map books, it's really more detailed. It's also topographic, which help. Start looking around those 2 roads. Also, Palomar Mountain is good, plus some places out near Descanso on the 8.
Any place you can get away from the road, and the hunters, you could find deer. Also, you have to keep your eyes on the road when driving through the private property on Eagle Peak, because you will see hundreds of turkeys, and many, many deer along the road. They are not stupid, they know where to hang out.... 
Yes, come in from the 78 just prior to getting into downtown Julian. Where are you coming from? What area of San Diego do you live in?
Well, if you were going to hunt Eagle Peak or Boulder Creek, I would probably guess that it's quicker going on the 67 through Ramona. You could go out the 8 to Descanso, however, it's about 8 miles of back road. Going through Ramona may be a couple of miles further, but time wise, it will be only a minute on a backroad. The rest is paved.
Yes, you need an adventure pass anytime you park and use the National Forest. You will get a nice little ticket if you don't have one. As for camping, alot of guys do it, I am just not exactly sure where you are allowed to. I don't think you can simply pull off the road, but it's not much more difficult than that. I will look into it.
I do know though that as long as the pullout is big enough to accomodate a camper, there were lots of guys doing just that. I actually ran into a few yesterday while out driving around near Pine Valley.
Well I have been up the San Diego river once on a scouting trip. I made it just to the edge of where the forest boundary starts. It was getting dark and the gf wanted to head back. I have found that the best and easiest access is through one of the cedar creek falls trail heads. The Ramona side trail being the easiest at only 2.5 mile to the forest boundary. But both trail heads are unfortunately closed to all access till November 9th. If you don't want to go that way its about 4,000 steep feet down the side of the valley, or your final option going from the top of the river which has 30 ft drop offs you would have to lower down your gear and all the was back up and a animal if you got one! The main trail down from Ramona is still kinda steep but not that bad, the terrain gets a little bumpy and wet at times, defiantly wet. you have to cross the river a few times, but that shouldn't be that hard this time of year. one thing I read is that your gun must be in a case until you get to the forest boundary! probably so you don't freak out any hiker in the area. That is about all I can think of on that spot. if you have any questions let me know. I do plan on hunting there at least once this season and since I am new to hunting but know the land I would be down to meet up!
| Thread | Thread Starter | Replies | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| D16 - CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST CLOSURE | OZSTRIKER22 | 4 | 02/03/2005 15:12 pm |
| U.S. Forest Service closes out deer hunters | Mjpaco | 1 | 11/03/2003 12:40 pm |
| New to Hunting San Diego Area | Big Ant | 2 | 08/23/2009 00:36 am |
| few questions about central washington | jc3000 | 2 | 05/07/2007 02:56 am |
| trail maps of GW national forest | mufan | 0 | 11/04/2007 10:54 am |
