Canebrake Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Canebrake Ecological Reserve is 7,564 acres of CDFW land in Kern County, in CDFW's Central Region, one of the ecological reserves where Title 14, Section 630(d) makes hunting a designated public use. CDFW's rule for it: Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department. It lies in deer Zone D8, where CDFW estimates 916 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 landCanebrake ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 7,564 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Kern |
| Hunting | Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department. |
| Closures | Pets are prohibited except for hunting dogs at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department. |
| Deer zone | Zone D8, Zone D9, Zone X10 |
| Elk zone | Tehachapi |
| Nearest towns | Onyx (next to it), Weldon (2 mi) and Mountain Mesa (6 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Canebrake Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Pets are prohibited except for hunting dogs at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 630. CDFW's page for Canebrake 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 Canebrake Ecological Reserve?
This approximately 7,200-acre property includes the following units: Bloomfield Ranch, Canebrake Creek, Cap Canyon, and Scodie Ranch. Habitat types include valley foothill riparian, valley foothill hardwood-conifer/blue oak-digger pine, sagebrush, Joshua tree, riverine, lacustrine, fresh emergent wetland, wet meadow, pasture, and cropland. Hundreds of bird species occur on the property, as well as numerous mammal, reptile, and butterfly species. Fish species include western suckers, hardhead, and Sacramento squawfish.
From CDFW's page for Canebrake Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Canebrake Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Canebrake ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D8 | 2,909 | 916 deer taken in 2025, 16.2% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to October 25 |
| Deer Zone D9 | 2,906 | 342 deer taken in 2025, 17.1% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to October 25 |
| Deer Zone X10 | 1,749 | 59 deer taken in 2025, 14.9% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to October 11 |
| Tehachapi elk zone | 7,564 | Tags through the big game drawing |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Canebrake ER: hunt G-6 (Kern River Deer Herd Buck Hunt), hunt G-38 (X-10 Late Season Buck Hunt) and hunt A-19 (Zone X-10 Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Canebrake Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 55,860 acres of national forest, 46,296 acres of BLM land and 7,412 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Canebrake Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: From Bakersfield take Highway 178 East toward Lake Isabella. Reserve is 10 miles east of Lake Isabella on the north side of Highway 178.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 178 and CA 155. Nearest towns: Onyx (next to it), Weldon (2 miles), Mountain Mesa (6 miles) and Squirrel Mountain Valley (7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Canebrake Ecological Reserve?
Yes, within CDFW's limits in Section 630(d): Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department. Hunting is prohibited on any ecological reserve that section does not list.
Can you camp on Canebrake Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Canebrake Ecological Reserve in?
Zone D8 (2,909 acres), Zone D9 (2,906 acres) and Zone X10 (1,749 acres), by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 916 deer were taken in Zone D8 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Canebrake Ecological Reserve?
Onyx (next to it), Weldon (2 miles) and Mountain Mesa (6 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
Get a California hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for California are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, California included.
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, Canebrake 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.
California hunting CDFW Region 4 Deer Zone D8 Deer Zone D9 Deer Zone X10