Deer Zone X12: California deer hunting by the numbers
Deer Zone X12 covers 1,031 square miles of Mono County. 84.4% of it is national forest, BLM or CDFW land, most of that national forest (370,012 acres), by the California Protected Areas Database (CPAD 2026a). CDFW estimates hunters took 193 deer in Zone X12 in 2025 (193 bucks); CDFW puts hunter success at 58.7%. The 2026 general season runs September 19 to October 12.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: CDFW's deer harvest reports, 2020 to 2025. Seasons and quotas: CDFW's approved 2026 seasons and the 2026-2027 regulations. Land: CPAD 2026a.
National forestBLMCDFW landNational Park ServiceState parkOther state or federal landZone X12Neighboring zonesLake or riverHighway
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
|---|---|
| Counties | Mono |
| Size | 659,893 acres (1,031 square miles) |
| Public land | 84.4% (557,266 acres) |
| Tag quota, 2026 | 350 |
| Archery, 2026 (hunt A-20) | August 15 to September 6 |
| General season, 2026 | September 19 to October 12 |
| Bag limit | One buck, forked horn (see subsection 351 (a)) or better, per tag. |
| Deer taken, 2025 | 193 (CDFW estimate) |
| Hunter success, 2025 | 58.7% (CDFW) |
| Towns in and near it | Bridgeport, Coleville, Topaz, Virginia Lakes and Mono City |
How many deer are taken in Zone X12?
CDFW estimates 193 deer were taken in Zone X12 in 2025, up from 130 in 2024. Hunters reported 138 of them; CDFW adds an estimate for the 28.6% of tag holders who did not report.
| Year | Tag quota | Tags issued | Bucks reported | Does reported | Deer taken (CDFW estimate) | Hunter success (CDFW) | Tag holders who did not report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 349 | not printed | 138 | 0 | 193 | 58.7% | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 349 | not printed | 102 | 0 | 130 | 40.2% | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 349 | not printed | 101 | 0 | 116 | 35.4% | 13.1% |
| 2022 | 349 | 343 | 128 | 0 | 142 | 41.4% | 9.9% |
| 2021 | 350 | 321 | 128 | 0 | 144 | 44.9% | 11.5% |
| 2020 | 349 | 246 | 104 | 0 | 126 | 51.2% | 17.5% |
Source: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025), Table 1. CDFW's hunter success is its estimated deer kill divided by tags issued. Harvest on Private Lands Management and Section 554 landowner programs is not included.
What size are the bucks taken in Zone X12?
Of the 138 bucks hunters reported with points recorded in 2025, 49 (35.5%) had 4 points or more and 55 had 3 points. CDFW counts antler points on one side.
| Year | Spike | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points or more | Bucks with points recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 (0%) | 34 (24.6%) | 55 (39.9%) | 40 (29%) | 9 (6.5%) | 138 |
| 2024 | 0 (0%) | 38 (37.3%) | 34 (33.3%) | 19 (18.6%) | 11 (10.8%) | 102 |
| 2023 | 0 (0%) | 22 (21.8%) | 35 (34.7%) | 38 (37.6%) | 6 (5.9%) | 101 |
Source: CDFW 2025 California Deer Harvest Statistics, Table 2 (reported deer kill by antler class), and the two years before it. Shares are of the bucks reported with points recorded.
When is deer season in Zone X12 in 2026?
General season: September 19 to October 12, 2026. CDFW's rule for the season: The season in Zone X-12 shall open on the third Saturday in September and extend for 24 consecutive days.
In CDFW's 2026 Big Game Drawing, 4,377 hunters put Zone X12 first for 349 tags (315 by preference points, 34 by draw-by-choice). For archery hunt A-20: 213 first-choice applicants for 40 tags. Source: CDFW 2026 Big Game Drawing statistics.
Archery hunting in Zone X12 is CDFW hunt A-20, Zone X-12 Archery Hunt: August 15 to September 6, 2026, 40 tags. In 2025 archers reported 9 deer taken in Zone X12 on that hunt.
Deer taken in Zone X12 in 2025 on other hunts' tags, as hunters reported them: hunt A-20: 9.
Source: CDFW Approved 2026 Deer Seasons and CDFW 2026-2027 California Mammal Hunting Regulations, page 51 (Title 14, Section 360). CDFW can change a season: check CDFW's deer zone page before you go.
How much public land is in Zone X12?
84.4% of Zone X12 is national forest, BLM or CDFW land: 557,266 of its 659,893 acres. The largest piece is Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (369,500 acres).
| Manager | Acres | Share of Zone X12 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 370,012 | 56.1% |
| BLM | 168,297 | 25.5% |
| CDFW land | 18,957 | 2.9% |
| State park | 11,200 | 1.7% |
| Other state or federal land | 2,419 | 0.4% |
| National Park Service | 13 | under 0.1% |
Measured by FilledTag inside CDFW's zone boundary from California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a. "Public land" on this page means national forest, BLM and CDFW land, the three managers whose ground is open to hunting under their own rules. National Park Service land, state parks and most other public ground are listed but not counted: hunting there is closed or limited. Land held by cities, counties, districts and private groups is not shown.
CDFW wildlife areas and ecological reserves in Zone X12: Slinkard - Little Antelope Wildlife Area (11,450 acres here), Green Creek Wildlife Area (2,754 acres here), Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area (1,349 acres here), East Walker River Wildlife Area (1,348 acres here), Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area (968 acres here), West Walker River Wildlife Area (753 acres here) and By Day Creek Ecological Reserve (454 acres here).
How do you get to Zone X12?
Numbered highways through it, longest stretch first: US 395, CA 108, CA 270, CA 182, CA 167 and CA 89. Towns inside: Bridgeport, Coleville, Topaz, Walker and Twin Lakes. Nearby: Virginia Lakes (on the line), Mono City (on the line), Lee Vining (7 miles) and Markleeville (11 miles).
Which deer zones border Zone X12?
Zone X12 touches 3 other deer zones. Their size, public land and CDFW's 2025 numbers:
| Zone | Square miles | Public land | Deer taken, 2025 | Hunter success, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone D6 | 5,021 | 29.4% | 1,119 | 11.2% |
| Zone X8 | 520 | 89.4% | 49 | 24.3% |
| Zone X9a | 1,946 | 84% | 160 | 62.7% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer tags are there for Zone X12?
CDFW's 2026 tag quota is 350. In 2025 the quota was 349 and CDFW estimates 193 deer were taken here.
What is the hunter success rate in Zone X12?
CDFW puts 2025 hunter success at 58.7%. CDFW works it out as its estimated deer kill divided by tags issued. In 2024 it was 40.2%.
When does deer season open in Zone X12 in 2026?
The general season runs September 19 to October 12, 2026. Archery hunting here is a separate hunt, A-20, August 15 to September 6. CDFW's rule: The season in Zone X-12 shall open on the third Saturday in September and extend for 24 consecutive days.
How much public land is in Zone X12?
84.4% of Zone X12, 557,266 acres, is national forest, BLM or CDFW land by CPAD 2026a. The largest piece: Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (369,500 acres).
Which CDFW lands are in Zone X12?
Slinkard - Little Antelope Wildlife Area (11,450 acres here), Green Creek Wildlife Area (2,754 acres here), Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area (1,349 acres here), East Walker River Wildlife Area (1,348 acres here) and Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area (968 acres here), and 2 more, by CDFW's land boundaries.
CDFW's boundary of Zone X12
That portion of Mono County within a line beginning at the junction of the California-Nevada state line and Highway 167 (Pole Line Road); west on Highway 167 to Highway 395; north on Highway 395 to Virginia Lakes Road; west on Virginia Lakes Road to the Virginia Lakes Trail (Entry Trail D11); northwest on the Virginia Lakes Trail to the Mono-Tuolumne county line; north along the Mono-Tuolumne county line to the Mono-Alpine county line; northeast along the Mono-Alpine county line to Indian Springs Road; northeast on Indian Springs Road to the California-Nevada state line; southeast on the California-Nevada state line to the point of beginning.
From CDFW 2026-2027 California Mammal Hunting Regulations, page 51, Title 14, Section 360.
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Where these numbers come from
- Harvest, quotas, hunter success and antler classes: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
- 2026 seasons and quotas: CDFW Approved 2026 Deer Seasons; boundary, bag limit and season rule: CDFW 2026-2027 California Mammal Hunting Regulations.
- Public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a. Zone boundary: CDFW deer hunt zones (BIOS ds342, Title 14 Section 360).
- Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Numbers are copied from CDFW, CPAD and the Census Bureau, or measured from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.