Cali?

[Rick Howard]

I know it's a big state.  Where might a fella locate himself and be satisfied with the bass fishing, turkey hunting, and coyote hunting while enjoying the favorable moderate climate?  I'd prefer no poison leg less slitherers.

I know many folks are raising a brow wondering why a fella, like myself, would consider California a place to hang his hat.  I can only offer that I live in NY so it's not to far off.  I would call it fair trade if my holy trinity of happiness were met with the added bonus of not freezing my balls off while shoveling the 3 feet of heart attack dust off the driveway.  

With turkey season 4 months gone, bass fishing screaming to an end, and all 2 weeks of summer in the rear view a fella is considering his options.

[gulfcaptain]

I would suggest somewhere close to Vacaville CA.  I have a friend who lives that way.  Why there,  well close to the Delta, Berryessa, Clear Lake, and many others.  The mountains and hunting areas are a couple hrs away at most, and living in the rural areas up that way will give you a less expensive cost of living compared to the bigger metro areas.

[Oregon Native]

Your gunna have critters in cali....If it were me and I HAD to live in that state I would probably pick between Clear Lake and the Delta.  Somewhere close to the coast.  All kinds of hunting and fishin.  Oh yes....and people.

P.S.  Good Lord willing I never have to move out there.

[clayton86]

Your crazy Rick the guys at bark at the moon will never allow this 

[Rick Howard]

1 hour ago, clayton86 said:

Your crazy Rick the guys at bark at the moon will never allow this 

I'd come back for the contest weekend.  And to visit my cottage in summertime.  I'm only considering the option also.  Lots of things would have to fall into place.  I like to know all the angles well in advance.  

 

[NorcalBassin]

The legless slitherers are relatively common anywhere there's turkey, but it's pretty rare to see them in inhabited areas. Redding (very close to Shasta Lake) would fit your list well and add quality deer, bear, and boar hunting along with excellent trout, salmon, and steelhead fishing to your options if you do not mind the heat all summer long. If you'd prefer 4 seasons all you have to do is head a little further east into the 3000'+ elevation of the Sierra Foothills. Most of the foothill lakes in NorCal have very good bass fishing and places like the Delta and Clear Lake that are generally better to visit than live nearby are close enough for an easy drive. If you do not mind a lot of people and traffic a place like Vacaville as GC mentioned would be a nice option. Best of luck!

[Rick Howard]

Thank you for the suggestions.

 I'd prefer 2 or 3 seasons really.  I'm tired of the freezing cold and snow and would to skip that part of the year.  I would forgo any changing of seasons for that opportunity.  

I visited freinds in San Fransico and then stayed in Monterey for a week a few years ago.  We took a wine tour around salinas valley.  I had no interest in the vino but I did find the area quite attractive.  Our tour guide kept me entertained with farming information while the others drank the punch.  It was quite interesting.  I failed to ask him about hunting and fishing opportunity there.

[NorcalBassin]

Definitely pretty there with a nice microclimate, but the only two lakes I'm aware of allegedly have some pretty substantial issues that would be a bummer to move all the way out here and have as your "home" water. As far as hunting goes, the general rule of thumb is the further west you go in CA the less likely you are to find hunting (or be accepted as a hunter) and once you're in the central valley the further east and north you go the opposite holds true (probably similar to NY in getting away from NYC). The lower elevations (away from coast) are hot but not humid in the summer and rarely hit 32* for a low in the winter, and pretty much anywhere from Fresno up to Redding (300+ miles) will have excellent fishing or hunting within 1-1.5 hour's drive or so. Might be time for another trip to rent a car and take a look at a few towns to get a better feel for them... best of luck!