In preparation for this year’s coastal deer hunting season, early scouters are checking their favorite spots.

There is plenty of grass, but very little water as many creeks are dried up.

That will affect some of the deer concentrations.

Napa County does not have the population it had 30 years ago, but we seem to have stabilized at a low level about one third of what it used to be.

Around humans, deer seem to adjust.

Silverado is a good example. But most of our local deer hunting takes place in the hills of Pope Valley, Berryessa, private ranches in Chiles and Knights Valleys, and the Knoxville Wildlife Area.

So what are the early reports? I’ve now heard from three local hunters who have been hiking and trying to analyze the population.

All three of my friends who spent a few days out last week saw deer and some bucks, though one only saw a small spike for nine hours afield.

All three said the populations were about the same as the last few years.

The one who was hiking in Pope Valley saw a mountain lion and some coyote. The young turkeys are out discovering the world through their mothers.

We will keep you posted.

Fishing Line

Ever wonder if the 10-pound fishing line on your reel is really able to handle a fish of eight pounds and the rocks and logs you might run across?

One of the most extensive tests I have ever seen conducted is in the August issue of Sport Fishing. This is a dead-weight test to see how strong 20-pound test is.

Here are some of the strongest 20-pound test monofilaments:

• Berkley Big Game High test broke at 30.7

• Berkley Supreme broke at 36.5

• Berkley Trilene XT broke at 31.1

• High Seas Red Devil broke at 29

• Izorline First String broke at 32.2

• Izorline XXX Super Co-Polymer broke at 32.7

• Momoii-Catch broke at 36.2

• Shakespeare Cajun Advantage broke at 29.8

• Stren High Impact broke at 30.9

• Yo-Zuri Hybrid broke at 31.8

These are just some of the strongest of the monofilaments. In the braided line tests for 20-pound, the strongest of all tested was Spider Wire Ultracast. It broke at 51.6.

Triple Fish Bully Braid Moss was next. It broke at 48.4. In third place was Berkley Fireline Crystal; it broke at 47.1.

Of both braided and mono, all broke over 20 pounds, except for Berkley Big IGFA, which broke at 18.6.

The actual poundage is important if you’re horsing a big fish out of brushy cover or weeds.

In clearer water, we prefer and always use a lighter line.

For example, we use six- and eight-pound test for the big trout we catch that might weigh from 10 to 28 pounds.

The difference is rod action and the amount of drag.

It’s nice to know which lines are the strongest.

Grizzly Island Wildlife Area

Grizzly Island will be closed July 29 to Sept. 14 to accommodate the annual tule elk hunt.

The Fish and Game Commission has authorized 11 tags for this hunt, nine by lottery, and two junior tags.

Only persons authorized by Fish and Game will be allowed in the area at this time.

These tule elk are native to California.

At one time there were 500,00 roaming the Central Valley and the marshes, including Napa.

By 1860, however, the tule elk population was reduced to only a few animals.

The meat was in demand for prospectors during the Gold Rush.

In the 1970s, DFG worked to re-establish herds throughout the state.

Today, we have 22 herds with over 3,800 animals.

Huntable animals need to be taken, as is the case on Grizzly Island.

George Carl can be reached at gcarl@sbc

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