Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve is 5,202 acres of CDFW land in Santa Barbara County, in CDFW's South Coast Region, one of the ecological reserves where Title 14, Section 630(d) makes hunting a designated public use. CDFW's rule for it: Allowed for upland game birds during department sponsored special hunt program events. Shotgun and archery only. It lies in deer Zone A, where CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: CDFW's 2026-2027 land use regulations (updated July 1, 2026). Boundary and acres: CDFW. Zones: CDFW. Land around it: CPAD 2026a.
BLMCDFW landState parkOther state or federal landBurton Mesa ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 5,202 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 5, South Coast Region |
| County | Santa Barbara |
| Hunting | Allowed for upland game birds during department sponsored special hunt program events. Shotgun and archery only. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Vandenberg Village (next to it), Vandenberg AFB (next to it) and Lompoc (2 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Allowed for upland game birds during department sponsored special hunt program events. Shotgun and archery only.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Motor vehicle use by visitors is prohibited. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 630. CDFW's page for Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve?
Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve consists of 5,368 acres between Purisima Hills and Santa Ynez Mountains and encompasses one of the last significant stands of maritime chaparral in the state.
The Central Maritime Chaparral community is dominated by ceanothus, manzanita, chamise, California coffeeberry, black sage, Coast live oak and coastal scrub species. Badgers, bobcats, deer, mountain lions, packrats, snakes, and a variety of avian species may also be observed.
From CDFW's page for Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Burton Mesa ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 5,202 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Burton Mesa ER: hunt MA-3 (Santa Barbara Muzzleloading Rifle/Archery Buck Hunt) and hunt G-11 (Vandenberg Either-Sex Deer Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 5,195 acres of CDFW land and 1,900 acres of state park land.
How do you get to Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Highway 1 between Vandenberg Air Force Base to the west, Freeport-McMoran Oil & Gas LLC oil fields to the north, and the La Purisima Mission State Park to the south.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 1, CA 246, CA 135 and US 101. Nearest towns: Vandenberg Village (next to it), Vandenberg AFB (next to it), Lompoc (2 miles) and Casmalia (7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve?
Yes, within CDFW's limits in Section 630(d): Allowed for upland game birds during department sponsored special hunt program events. Shotgun and archery only. Hunting is prohibited on any ecological reserve that section does not list.
Can you camp on Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve in?
All of it is in deer Zone A, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in Zone A in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve?
Vandenberg Village (next to it), Vandenberg AFB (next to it) and Lompoc (2 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
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Where these facts come from
- Rules: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations.
- Boundary and acres: CDFW public access lands (BIOS ds3077); CDFW, Burton Mesa Ecological Reserve.
- Zones: CDFW BIOS zone layers. Surrounding public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a.
- Deer harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.