Originally Posted By: SmeshOrneryolfart357:
I haven't hunted much in CA so far. On the 27th, my 17 year old son is flying in from Winnipeg, Canada and on the 28th, we're driving to Globe, AZ for a little reunion hunt. He won the PM hunt in 2006 with most critters killed. He was 10 years old at the time and killed 3 coyotes and a javelina in the 3 day hunt. I know so little about California, that I need to get out here more to hunt yotes. I've scouted several areas outside the lead free zones, but then with the new law being phased in and so many people saying that individual wardens seem to be enforcing the law early, with no real consistency or anything firm in writing, I'd rather just hunt outside CA for now unless I'm with someone who really knows the zones. It's only a 7 hour drive from LA to Globe, so that's where we're going.
Are you using lead free ammo?
There is no way they can enforce the new law yet. It has not been printed in the hunting regulations. It is supposed to not even take effect till 2019. Additionally any law signed this year does not take effect till FEB the following year. The current lead ban zone is clearly printed in the hunting regulations. There are absolutely vast areas loaded with coyote in CA. The lead ban zone is actually a great place to hunt because many people are pissed off and just go someplace else(not saying it doesn't piss me off too). Get the san bernardino county shooting map it shows what areas are shotgun only and are open to night hunting etc. Last but not least, unless you are hunting during deer season or really popular areas you could hunt for many many years and never even see a warden. Until its printed in the hunting regs (which comes out in june) don't worry about it.
Check out
http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/39-Upland-Bird-Hunting
There is a predator section there. This forum is almost all people from CA. over there I am 527varmint. I'll probably be going predator hunting after xmas if you want to meet up. Going for Pheasant/Quail next week.
I use 55 gr bullets because when I was just starting out predator hunting I watched a byron south dvd. He recomended 60 gr vmax or SP and said they work better than 50 gr. I assume he hunts coyote for a living and knows what he is talking about. 60 gr are not common in factory ammo so I shoot the 55 gr sp. It has been accurate and puts the dogs down hard. I don't see why a 40 wouldn't work though. A 40 gr. from a 22mag droped the big dog in my avatar instantly. It is traveling almost twice as fast from a .223.
Welcome to CA, and good hunting.