Last weekend Mike Rippy and Frank Lassen of Napa took off for a deer hunt in Lake County.

They drove far up to Cow Mountain where they had seen a few bucks the week before. They set up camp and enjoyed a good dinner.

The next day they were up early and off to Snow Mountain.

Mike and Frank have hunted the Cow Mountain area for five years and have taken at least one deer each year. Last year they didn’t get a buck until the last day of the season.

Mike and Frank know the area and where they were going to hunt.

Saturday morning, Frank saw three does and a small fork and spent about an hour stalking the male deer. If he didn’t see anything better by late morning, Frank decided he would take that buck.

Meanwhile, Mike hiked a ridge about 1,000 feet away and spotted a nice three-pointer all by himself. Mike got a good hold at about 150 yards and dropped the buck. Frank heard the shot and hoped it was his buddy.

Their walkie-talkie contact was set for 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, the smaller buck slipped through the brush, and Frank lost his potential score. When the two got back to camp, they were proud of the nice three-pointer they got. This was a buck they had never seen before, and they hunt that area every week.

Score one and more good memories for those two.

In another hunt, Phil Champlin and his son Chris were off to hunt a ranch above Laytonville. This is a ranch they have hunted for over 12 years.

Usually they find some nice deer and turkey. Phil and Chris set up camp and were ready for the next morning. They weren’t hunting long when Phil spotted a nice three-pointer. It was a sure shot; Phil dropped his buck in its tracks.

 Now it was Chris’s turn. Three hours later Chris saw a nice four-pointer. He jumped out of the jeep and crept along the edge of a hill. He saw the big buck again and was ready when he popped out in the next clearing.

Chris dropped him, and then saw a bigger buck run over the ridge! It turned out to be the four-pointer that got away, but Chris was perfectly happy with his big fork.

The next day a pig rounded out their weekend take. Unfortunately, not all hunts end that successfully, but it is fun to hear about the ones that do.  

Most clubs are holding their own, with the season take about normal. The rut is on.

 

Berryessa Kokanee

It’s time for big Kokanee at Berryessa. Fish near the dam in deep water, and enjoy some good fall fishing at Berryessa. There are still some nice trout and bass, but the best bet now is Kokanee.

 

Getting ready for ducks

The 2007 duck season is almost here, with a normal season expected.

It probably will not be an outstanding season, but it should be an average one. Try every way you can for being out there Opening Day.

That will be your best bet until the weather changes.

Locally, the Napa Marsh usually provides plenty of birds for the opener. Other good bets are Grizzly Island and the many other refuges. Remember, some refuges may not be open for Opening Day. Call ahead.

 

Eagle Lake freeze-out

Ron Modral and his brother, along with Hank Ramson and his family, were at Eagle Lake this past weekend. Unfortunately, they were snowed out and iced out when a strong storm moved in. Chester and Lake Almanor was producing some fish, but it was cold and slow there, too.

Feather River is producing some big trout as well as some big salmon near Marysville. Go get ’em!

Once again, striper are still being caught in the river. The average fisherman is catching six fish per trip, and at least two are keepers.

The biggest I heard of last week was 18 pounds.

George Carl can be reached at gcarl@sbcglobal.net