By Day Creek Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
By Day Creek Ecological Reserve is 454 acres of CDFW land in Mono County, in CDFW's Inland Deserts Region, one of the ecological reserves where Title 14, Section 630(d) makes hunting a designated public use. CDFW's rule for it: Allowed. It lies in deer Zone X12, where CDFW estimates 193 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.
National forestBLMCDFW landBy Day Creek ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 454 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | Mono |
| Hunting | Allowed. |
| Deer zone | Zone X12 |
| Nearest towns | Bridgeport (6 mi), Twin Lakes (6 mi) and Virginia Lakes (15 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for By Day Creek Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Allowed.
CDFW lists no rules for By Day Creek Ecological Reserve beyond those for every ecological reserve (Sections 550 and 630).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 630. CDFW's page for By Day Creek 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 By Day Creek Ecological Reserve?
By Day Creek is a tributary to the East Walker River. The 460-acre reserve includes approximately ¾ stream miles of the creek. It contains aquatic and riparian habitat, supporting sensitive fish species, as well as mule deer, mountain lion, coyote, bobcat, black bear, porcupine, blue grouse, mountain quail, golden eagle, various other raptors, and numerous nongame birds and mammals.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for By Day Creek Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is By Day Creek Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of By Day Creek ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X12 | 454 | 193 deer taken in 2025, 58.7% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 12 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of By Day Creek ER: hunt A-20 (Zone X-12 Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around By Day Creek Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 30,440 acres of national forest, 479 acres of BLM land and 450 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to By Day Creek Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Hwy 395 about 4.5 mi west of Bridgeport, follow dirt road west of Bridgeport Ranger Station to the reserve.
Highways within 8 miles: US 395 and CA 182. Nearest towns: Bridgeport (6 miles), Twin Lakes (6 miles), Virginia Lakes (15 miles) and Walker (18 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on By Day Creek Ecological Reserve?
Yes. Section 630(d) allows hunting on it. Hunting is prohibited on any ecological reserve that section does not list.
Can you camp on By Day Creek Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is By Day Creek Ecological Reserve in?
All of it is in deer Zone X12, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 193 deer were taken in Zone X12 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to By Day Creek Ecological Reserve?
Bridgeport (6 miles), Twin Lakes (6 miles) and Virginia Lakes (15 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, By Day Creek 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.