Inspired by Rick in Oregon

[jwv2001]

Like the title states, this thread gives context to the areas we hunt. I was interested in Rick's post of the "A morning Fireball Walkabout", specifically the elevation of the area he hunts.
I stated that the area I hunt ground squirrels is somewhere between 300-1000 ft. elevation. Divided between agriculture flatland and low foothills. I primarily "walkabout" in the low foothills. I choose a circuit, about 2-3 miles and look for targets. The rifles pretty much rotate among the rifles in my safe.

Typical terrain:


I usually take a daypack with ammo and water, along with a trigger stick.
Here's what I'm looking for:



I don't usually take kill shots unless they are in the direction I am walking. I don't pose any kill shots because in this area the squirrels are said to have bubonic plague, don't touch! These photos are early spring.


This last picture I feel you will find interesting. When the Indians would migrate into this area to harvest acorns, they would grind acorns on the flat rocks in the area. This is a photo of their mortars.

I hope you find this interesting.

 

[RegionRat]

Another reminder of how beautiful CA can be.

They make it really hard on us here if you like to hunt and fish, but it really is a beautiful place when you get away from the lunatics.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The ingenuity of early people is very interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

Yup, Ricks the guru (perhaps in Hinduism too ). Your landscape is a lot nicer than ours. At least where I have shot.

 

[jwv2001]

Well, the terrain in Rick's photos was awfully nice. This land is about 20 minutes from my house. It's about 1,000 acres and I have it all to myself. I've called coyotes, bobcat, and even a wild pig. I was interested in the elevation he was taking all those marmots. I know there are marmots in CA, but at higher elevations and not in those numbers. Mostly above snowline and thick timber.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

I'll let him speak on his rock chuck details. Eastern Oregon is all above the 3500ft. level for the most part. Most of my rat shooting was between 4000 to 4800ft level. What little luck I had with the rock chucks, it was at the 4500ft level. All high desert east of Bend.

 

[Lonny in ID]

Beautiful pics! The mortar rocks are also very interesting. Thank you for sharing your backyard with us1.

 

[sw282]

Oregon and Northern California are so beautiful. l had the privilege of hunting/shooting ground squirrels in the Goose Lake area April 2002. Goose Lake is 4700ft elevation. The weather was wintry with snow on the ground, giving me the opportunity to shoot them in the SNOW. Talk about a BLOOD TRAIL. My gun was a Ruger 77/17HMR, 4-12 Leupold VX2 scope. l shot Oregon ONLY because my VMAX ammo was lead. Truly a once in a lifetime shooting experience. My most memorable hunting/shooting trip EVER!!

 

[Mike in Oregon]

If you can tolerate the politics! Gald, you had a good experience. Of course, everything east of the Cascades is red! Totally different on the other side of the mountain.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

jwv, great post and pics that reminded me of chasing those little critters in N. CA for many years when I lived there after the war for a period. I also encountered those stones that the natives used for grinding up seed and acorns, usually in the foothills of the Sierra's. Interesting for sure.

But I've never been accused of 'inspiration', usually the opposite, and usually from the wives of friends who consider me a bad influence in regard to their joint bank account. But thanks for the high praise regardless!

 

[jxb]

If you can tolerate the politics! Gald, you had a good experience. Of course, everything east of the Cascades is red! Totally different on the other side of the mountain.

Everything except Bend and Redmond which used to be referred to as Portland East for a reason, now with all the Cali migrants taking over as the majority there, not sure what to call it. I have some ideas but I'll be nice. lol

This is also why there's a clear distinction between central Oregon and eastern Oregon, just ask anyone from eastern Oregon and they are quick to point out that central Oregon is NOT eastern Oregon. Everyone has their own idea where the line is, but I think Greater Idaho line comes pretty close. I generally draw a line from The Dalles through Prineville to the border but that's just me.

Yes I'm a native Oregonian and thus the distaste for people that move here because "it's such a wonderful place" only to try to change everything 6-12 months later because "it's not like where I used to live". I'm quick to remind them, the road runs both ways and nobody is making them stay. ;-)

Eastern Cali and some of the northern parts is really nice, all the Sierra's both sides. I've really enjoyed up around Lassen and Hat Creek too. Growing up "Uncle Runts Place" was a hoot.

 

[jwv2001]

jwv, great post and pics

Thanks for that. You know, most of the threads include kill photos. Actually, you can't tell one from another. I've always been the most interested in the country. The journey, not the destination. That's why your thread inspired me. It gave context to the subject.
I am fortunate to have this place to hunt, not necessarily to shoot squirrels, but to be immersed in the country.
One of my stories from this place is when I went 50 for 50 on squirrels with my 17HMR. All of the shots were 80-100 yards. I didn't realize it until I went to load my mag with the last 5 shots in the box. My butt really puckered while shooting those last 5 squirrels.

 

[jwv2001]

Yes I'm a native Oregonian and thus the distaste for people that move here because "it's such a wonderful place"

I am a native Californian, I feel exactly the way you do. Not many native Californians, especially when you count the wetbacks.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I am a native Californian, I feel exactly the way you do. Not many native Californians, especially when you count the wetbacks.

Agree, and it's getting worse.

Before I bailed from CA in 1975, being a lifelong shooter/hunter and focused on varmint shooting as an aside, it pained me to have to drive over 2 to 3 hours to get to an area where a guy could unload and actually shoot a firearm, let alone find worthy varmints to pursue. The bay area traffic sealed it and I left for greener pastures, never to look back with regret. I took a huge wage loss coming to OR, but here I could afford a decent home that would be in the unaffordable range in the gay-bay.

You most likely live north in CA in a better environment than where I lived there based on your pics. Treasue it while you have it, as it sure looks like a nice area to roam about with a rifle.

"The journey, not the destination"......you nailed it.

 

[drover]

jwv - nice pictures. You are very fortunate in having access to an area like that.

I miss our visits at the One-Shot, if you are ever this way again the welcome mat is out.

drover

 

[Lefty2506]

I've always loved vacationing in CA. I had a college room mate who took a job in San Jose. My first trip out was to hang out with him for a few days over spring break. I quickly learned that I'm not a huge fan of the ocean, but I do love the mountains and the foothills. Absolutely beautiful landscape and amazing weather. Over the course of several trips, I met a handful of people who grew up there (as did their parents and grandparents). While our political views didn't align 100%, they were good people, and we could easily have a respectable conversation about those topics without ending up in an argument. As an red-neck from Indiana, I could walk down the street and not have to worry about what might happen if someone struck up a conversation with me. Ironically (and predictably) as the years have gone by, the views and opinions of the people that I had met have become a lot more in line with mine that what they used to be. I haven't been back out there for over 15 years now. Been too busy raising kids. After the last 6-8 years, I don't think I'm willing to go back. The crazy is just too much. Every time I think about CA, I feel sorry for the people I know who are there. It would be hard to leave such a beautiful place that had so much of my families history tied to it.

 

[jwv2001]

jwv - nice pictures. You are very fortunate in having access to an area like that.

I miss our visits at the One-Shot, if you are ever this way again the welcome mat is out.

drover

Thanks Jim, I know what you mean. I miss all of the folks from our visits to the Wittecar range in Hamilton once a year. Lots of guys from the northeastern corner of Oregon and of course Idaho.
How's the shooting going for you this time of year? John

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I've always loved vacationing in CA.

Us too. We used to go to N. CA every year for a week of sage rat shooting on a friends large alfalfa/cattle ranch. Not any more. It ended with the infringement of our rights, banning lead ammunition, not recognizing any of our concealed handgun permits, and jacking up fuel prices higher than any other place I'm aware of.

I'm a lifelong scuba diver, did it in the Navy and often went to N. CA for offshore free-diving and scuba spearfishing in the large kelp beds there. No more. None of us will support that state in any way, food, fuel, motel, or any other venue. It is now considered the "Forbidden Zone" to me and my entire crew. Pity, as the shooting there was stellar, so was the spearfishing, but the libs have completely ruined the place with all the new rules, regulations and bogus laws. Being so close to that state, I hope we don't suffer the same fate via osmossis.

One of the most beautiful states in our country too, run by a bunch of out-of-touch morons that lean far, far too far left and have ruined it for people that actually think and have true American values. End of rant.