Quick Tips
- The trans-Sierra crossing is a popular off-road trip with riders making the 2- to 3-day journey beginning in Grass Valley through the network of dirt roads to Sparks, NV
- The Truckee river is a great fly fishing side trip
- Stampede Reservoir can be a productive lake trout and rainbow trout fishery
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 100"-120" | 140"+ |
On The Ground
Zone X-7b is located in portions of Nevada, Placer and Sierra counties in the east-central portion of the state bordering Nevada, north of Lake Tahoe.
Make certain to carry a bear tag in this area as bears are in abundance and may increase your opportunity for a harvest. The bear season in this zone opens after the deer general season opens here. This zone gives up some large bears in the brown color phase annually.This zone is also an off-road vehicle area. During archery weekends, particularly Labor Day weekend, the area can be overrun with noisy, recreational enthusiasts.
Terrain
The terrain in this zone varies quite a bit from the low valleys to the tops of the mountains. The weather is usually quite hot and dry, but early storms are not uncommon. Snowfall will be a rare occurrence with these storms but heavy rains can make many roads very difficult, if not impossible, to travel.
Roughly 335 square miles
62% public land
Elevations range from 5,800 – 8,800 feet
Vegetation
The vegetation is highly varied throughout Zone X-7a ranging from low sage, sagebrush, bitterbrush, aspen, hardwood-conifer, conifer and juniper to alpine habitats.
This zone has a lot of brush fields and regrowth. It was known as a trophy hotspot for years after the fire that had cleared through this area creating more productive habitat, but that is lessening as the trees are beginning to take back over again.
Access
Zone X-7b contains a mixture of both public and private lands. Significant portions of private land occur along Juniper Creek and near Martis Peak. Remember you must obtain and have in your possession written permission to hunt on private property. Hunter trespass laws are strictly enforced. Public lands within Zone X-7b are administered by the Tahoe and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests and the Bureau of Land Management. There is a lot of public land and timber company land with access to hunt within this zone at the higher elevations.
Most of the area is accessible with a two-wheel drive vehicle. Four-wheel drive may be required in some locations. Due to the complex road system in the Tahoe National Forest, horse packing and backpacking are not necessary.
Camping and Lodging
There are several USFS campgrounds within Zone X-7b and these are shown on the map of the Tahoe National Forest. Informal camping is allowed on both USFS and BLM lands, but campfire permits are required. Permits may be obtained from any USFS, BLM or California Department of Forestry (CDF) office. During fire season, special regulations may apply and it is best to contact the local USFS, BLM or CDF office for the latest information.
There are nice campgrounds to the east of Boca Reservoir for hunters wishing to easily access the network of dirt roads. There are also campgrounds closer to the lakes.
Lodging and gambling is available near Verdi, Boomtown and around the Cabela’s store.
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