Hunting/Fishing around San Jose?

[arrowflinger]

My son will graduate from college in April and will be going into the work force in San Jose. He would like to find some places to start his search for any hunting and fishing around there. He would love to be able to get out in the mountains and start scouting for deer/pigs as soon as possible. Plus, he loves to fish (not were he got that from?) If you could help me out on places for him to look into, it would be greatly appreciated. Not looking for honey holes...Thanks in advance

p.s. - mostly likely I'll be going down to help him out also 

[Sumpnneedskillin]

I was stationed further south (San Diego) so I can't offer much beyond this...

Jesse's Hunting forum is a CA based hunting/fishing forum similar to here.  Bloody Decks decks was another place that has both hunting and fishing info for CA.  Haven't been on either in several years so not sure how the crowd is.  Back when I was on they were a pretty nice and helpful bunch for the most part (always a few bad apples in every crowd).

Couple of hours south on Fort Hunter Liggett, if I recall correctly civilians used to be able to get on base and hunt hogs.

[Russ McDonald]

Lived in San Jose for 8 years.   Most miserable time in my life.  Hunting around there is pretty much none.  If hunting hogs go to Napa and talk to the vineyards.  For deer you have to go to the Sierras.  About 100 miles east. You will also find that most good deer hunting is draw only.  Black tail there are pretty small bodied.  Also go up to the north Sacramento Valley.  North of Sacramento.  Good bird hunting including turkeys also decent deer hunting to.  Good luck to your son.

Sent from my super duper thingamajig

[rasbo]

there is fishing in every direction around there,San Jose does suck though..The delta area has good fishing..Blacktail are huge up around volcano Jackson area,but so are the crowds...I used to hunt the hills around diablo years back,but new the land owners..Good luck

[Miles]

I've hunted public land with both B zone tags and D3-5.  I've notched at least one tag every year and two tags last year.   Here my advice:

Don't listen to the resident crowd that whines about there being no deer...  There are plenty.   Get out of the vehicle and hunt.  I spent a lot of time in the wilderness areas and you can be successful if you put in some effort.  Look at the north parts of the Yolla Bolly wilderness.  Pick some trailheads and hike in.  Carry water until you learn the area and know where the springs are.

Have him start putting in for x zones and building points.  He could most likely draw x1 in three years. That zone isn't the greatest but it's the quickest x zone that he could hunt.

Oh, and wear orange.  Even though it's not required, there are more idiots down here then anywhere else that I've hunted. 

Pm me if you have any specific questions.

[Taco280AI]

Are hogs and deer all over, but finding public land to hunt is another story. Should be able to take charters off the coast

[Smokeploe]

Fishing: South Bay sturgeon , over to the coast there are places to fish off the beaches by the rocks for perch and sometimes for lying cod and rock fish
Hunting. The Sierras crowded, also hunter leggett south about hour plus
Pm me I will tell you where for ling and others stuff, I still have friends that hit these holes
Smokeploe

[arrowflinger]

I grew up hunting D8 and D9 and fishing for trout around that area....but talking with him, he would like to stay a little more local. He has no problem getting out of the truck and knowing him and his wife, they will be hiking all over that area. He is not planning on staying in the Bay Area. His Goal is to be there about two years...then off for his Masters. He wants to get up here after that. Thanks for the help.

Smokepole, incoming pm.

Thanks again and any more info is still appreciated.