Many hunters want to take all of the various deer species (the “deer slam”). SCI lists substantially more varieties then does B&C, but if you want a Columbian blacktail, then per SCI, your choice is much more limited with most being taken in California, and some from Washington, Oregon and BC. California seems to be best for the largest deer with 15 of the top 25 SCI book deer coming from California. Most of these deer will weigh between 125 to 180 pounds. Looking much like a mule deer antler wise and body wise, their horns are smaller than a muley, with a good trophy deer scoring in the 110 to 140 class, but a few will range 150 to even 180. They range through the wet forest habitat in BC, WA and Oregon, and into more open areas in California.
A second variety of blacktail is the Sitka Blacktail, confined to South East Alaska and portion of Western BC. The most productive areas for Sitka’s are Prince of Wales Island and Kodiak Island. Sitkas are smaller than the Columbia, with the two top deer (one from Kodiak, one with muzzleloader from Prince of Wales Island – both scored just over 125. In general they will score from around 80 points to 105 points or so. Body weights are 100 to 150 pounds. Normally multiple deer are possible on a Sitka hunt. We have both guided and un-guided Sitka hunts. Ask for the information! For Columbian Blacktails, we lean toward California where private land or quality public ground shows good success and good guides produce with great regularity.
BLACKTAIL DEER
This particular outfitter hunts black tails and hogs in Sonoma and Mendocino counties in California’s Zone A. This area is surprisingly beautiful and has a good deal of wild visual appeal with broad canyons, evergreens and high hills, lush farmland and more. He conducts his blacktail deer hunts on private ranches. An A-zone deer tag is available over the counter – first come first served. The season opens the second Saturday in August and continues for 44 days. The terrain on the private ground consists of open fields, rolling hills, forests, canyons and brush. This is ideal country to glass. He likes to have you sit and watch the mountain sides and oak edges. Once a suitable deer is found, he will set up your stalk. There are many trophy bucks on his various ranches. The success ratio is very high on this hunt since all of his deer hunts are one hunter to one guide (1×1)! The ranches are private which allows him to keep hunting pressure low, meaning bucks are given a chance to mature to trophy status. And you can hunt them with archery equipment or a rifle, and you can add a hog as well.
There is potential for “book bucks”, but most bucks taken are 16”20” wide 3x3s with eye guards. A lot depends on the hunter, however, and also on the weather, as cold weather late in the season can bring on an early rut.
A typical day will usually have you into deer almost immediately the first morning, and seeing 6 to 20 deer per day is nothing unusual. You are also likely to see some great hogs as well. Add some beautiful ranching country, nice weather and good guides, and you have a recipe for an excellent hunt.
“Everything about our blacktail deer hunt with your outfit was excellent. You and your guides are very knowledgeable, personable and just great guys to be around. It was very exciting seeing those four very nice bucks standing together the first morning. My overall experience was great. I belong to several hunting clubs and my money is better spent on a hunt with Tim. I was a professional deer and elk guide for over 20 years in southern Colorado and I know a good guide, good hunt and good territory, and you have the very best of it all. What a wonderful hunt and the best honeymoon trip my wife Terrie and I could have thought of. Simply put… Great hunt! Great people! See you next deer season.” – Ron H.
WILD PIGS
Now if a huge old boar is something that gets your juices flowing, he has a bunch of them, and you can hunt them on their own or as an add-on to a deer hunt. But do not underestimate these guys. They are very intelligent, have good eyesight and often stalks are blown by unseen game, or by the hogs you are trying to close in on. This is more challenging then you might at first think, but you will have many chances in the course of a typical hunt. Here is a comment by one hunter:
“This was an excellent, fair chase, spot and stalk pig hunt. It was excellent terrain for the novice and the experienced hunters. Great for deer and pigs. Lots of cover and water on the ranch. Our guide was excellent to hunt with. He is very knowledgeable and fun to be around. He was very willing to help us get our pigs. We saw a couple dozen blacktails and a lot of pig activity, and let’s not forget our two trophy boars that we took. It was great. My friend and I took two trophy 220 pound plus boars in one day. He was great with the preparation of the game after the kill. I was impressed with how quick and clean he field dressed our pigs. It was very exciting shooting my big boar at such a close range. I am a fairly new hunter but I know enough to know what to look for and this outfit did not disappoint me in any way. They have fair pricing, knowledgeable guides, lots of game and a beautiful ranch. I will be seeing them often”.
The account gives you a good feel for what you may expect here. Great terrain, pretty country, lots of game, quality outfitting! It does not get much better. This is a great family hunt, a great off-season hunt, and the eating is not too shabby either.
NOTE: Please realize that your hunt ends regardless of what day it is, once your kill is transported back to camp.
TRAVEL: Fly to San Francisco and rent a car. Drive will be 2 to 2 1/2 hours north You can also fly into Oakland. On a fully outfitted hunt outfitter will pick you up once you are in Santa Rosa, but if you book a guided only hunt- then you will meet outfitter the morning of the hunt in the town of Hopland. Most hunters stay the night in Ukiah which is a bigger town with more choices then Hopland. Ukiah is about ten miles North of Hopland.
2023-2024 PRICES (subject to change without noticed until deposit received)
Blacktail Deer Hunt 1×1 (5 Day ) $8,500
Black Bear spot and stalk 1X1 (4 day) $5500
Wild Pig Hunt 1×1 (2 Day ) $2,500
Wild Pig Hunt 2×1 (2 Day ) $2,000
Turkey Hunt 1X1 (2 Day) $2500
TTurkey Hunt 2X1 (2 day) $2000
Wild Pig & Turkey Hunt Hunt 1×1 (2 Day) $3,500
Black Bear & Wild Pig 1X1 (4 Day) $6500
Blacktail Deer & Black Bear Hunt 1×1 (5 Day) $10,500
Blacktail Deer & Wild Pig Hunt 1X1 (5 Day) $9,500
Blacktail Deer, Black Bear & Wild Pig Hunt 1X1 (5 Day) $11,500
Non-Hunting Guest ~ $400/day (2-day minimum)
Adding an Additional Day ~ $1,000
Local Airport Pickup & Drop-off ~ $500
Local Butcher Delivery ~ $300
Local Taxidermist Delivery ~ $300
Local butcher pickup and shipping ~ $500
*All prices are per hunter and subject to change.
All hunts include a private hunt with a professional guide. Transportation among the ranches in side by sides is provided. Field dressing and skinning as well as trophy preparation of game is included. You will stay in your own private cabin with your own party. All meals are provided and served in the main cabin. There is a toilet and shower with hot water available on site. This is a guaranteed opportunity spot and stalk hunt.
Laytonville hunts will be conducted from hotels or Air b&b which will be the hunter’s responsibility.
