CHAPTER 6 MONACHE DEER HUNTER INFORMATION

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME MONACHE MEADOW COMPLEX

DEER HUNTER INFORMATION FOR HUNT ZONES AND SPECIAL HUNTS

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AND SOUTHERN SIERRA REGION

ZONE X-10

"GENERAL This information has been prepared to assist you in selecting a hunt during the deer tag application process or in preparing for a hunt after you have received a deer tag. Please read important information on Zone boundaries, tag quotas, hunting seasons, bag limits and special conditions in the CALIFORNIA HUNTING REGULATIONS (MAMMALS AND FURBEARERS). Articles on big game hunting and information about how to apply for deer tags may be found in the current year's issue of BIG GAME HUNTING. If you have further questions, please call (559) 243-4005.

PUBLIC LAND This Zone is made up almost entirely of public land administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Caliente Resource District and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) INCLUDING the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests. Headquarters offices are as follows:

U. S. Bureau of Land Management U.S. Forest Service

Caliente Resource District Sequoia National Forest

3801 Pegasus Drive 900 West Grand Avenue

Bakersfield, CA 93308-6837 Porterville, CA 93257

(661) 391-6000 (559) 784-1500

U.S. Forest Service Sequoia National Forest

Inyo National Forest Cannell Meadow Ranger District

873 North Main Street Post Office Box 6

Bishop, CA 93514-2494 Kernville, CA 93238

(760) 873-2489 (760) 376-3781

Although most of the Zone is public land, there are private lands within the Zone. You must have written permission from the landowner to hunt on private lands.

ACCESS Major access to this Zone from the East is along the Nine Mile Canyon/Kennedy Meadows Road from Highway 395, approximately two miles north of Pearsonville. From the West, take the Sherman Pass/Black Rock Road off Sierra Way along the Kern River, approximately five miles north of Fairview. Access from the South occurs along the Canebrake/Chimney Peak Road from Highway 178, approximately three miles east of Canebrake. Once in the Zone, a number of roads allow access onto public lands.

MAPS Maps may be obtained by contacting or visiting the offices listed above. The Sequoia National Forest map is particularly recommended as it includes portions of the Inyo National

(OVER)

Forest lying within the Zone and depicts all Forest access Roads. The price is about $4.00, or $7.00 for waterproof maps. U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps can usually be obtained from drafting/engineering stores of backpacking stores.

WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL TIPS Weather early in the season is mild to warm with cold nights. Rain and snow can occur at any time during the season and hunters should always be prepared for this possibility.

CAMPING There are several USFS campgrounds within the hunt Zone and these are shown on USFS maps. Informal camping is allowed on USFS lands, but campfire permits are required. Permits may be obtained from any USFS, BLM, for California Department of Forestry (CDF) office. During fire season, special regulations apply and it is best to contact the local USFS, BLM or CDF office for the latest information.

Please do not camp at spring or water holes. They can be critically important to wildlife. Remaining at such water sources can be a violation of Fish and Game laws.

WHERE ARE THE DEER? Most of the deer taken during the Zone X-10 hunts are found in the northern regions of this Zone on the Tulare side of the Tulare/Inyo Counties line. The majority of this area is within the Southern Sierra Wilderness and the adjacent Monache Meadow Complex. The location of deer is very weather-dependent with animals tending toward the West of this area until migration starts, including the areas around Monache Meadows, Granite Know and Smith Meadows. Specific sites that hunters may wish to investigate later in the season include Duth John Flat, Honeybee Creek, Deer Mountain and meadows from Round Mountain to Olancha Peak, as well as the Monache Meadow Complex.

STATUS Following a major decline from historical highs, the herd seems to be in a stable population trend. Current innovations in survey methodology may result in a more focused picture of herd status."