I hunted about 8 days here in CA and no luck. You can take 2 deer but unless you draw a premium tag in one of the good zones or you hunt private land, it is not easy to be successful. It is all still hunting or spot and stalk. Not big enough population for stand hunting on public land. The drought definitely has done a number on the deer heard and the lions are also doing their job.
On a positive note, bear population is up and even though they banned hound hunting in 2013, I was able to take a nice bruin still hunting in the wilderness. If only it hadn't been 3000 feet climb to the trail head.
G