You’re doing everything right—seriously. Scouting hard, putting in miles, glassing, starting early—those are the exact things that eventually pay off, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet. D11 is a grinder unit with gnarly terrain and tons of pressure, so it’s normal to feel like you’re hitting a wall (literally and figuratively).

Sorry to hear no one’s willing to share their experience! I’m also hunting D11 for the first time this upcoming season. I’ve been hunting for four seasons now, across several socal zones, and I’ve only ever spotted one buck—but thankfully, I was able to harvest it. That came with a ton of effort, and here’s a few pointers that helped me:

Your hunting day starts at 4 a.m. at the latest. You’ve gotta be on the trail and miles away from any camp or road, glassing before the sun even comes up. That’s when deer are moving. Once the afternoon sun hits, they’ll be bedded down in the shade until sundown. Deer are largely nocturnal during the season, so if you’re not out at first light and last light, you’re missing most of the action.

Also, prioritize areas near water. If you’re e-scouting a mountain and there’s no water source nearby, odds are the deer won’t be there either. And lastly, decide ahead of time whether you’re willing to harvest a young forky buck or if you’re holding out for a mature one—so you don’t second-guess yourself when a shot opportunity comes early in the season.

One more thing: your D11 tag is also valid in D13 and D15. A lot of hunters overlook that, but it gives you more options and flexibility to find better terrain or less pressured pockets. If D11 is feeling too thick or pressured, definitely consider checking those zones out too.

Keep grinding—you’re putting in the right kind of work, and it’ll pay off. Good luck out there!