Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve is 40,249 acres of CDFW land in San Luis Obispo 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 hunting rule for it is below. 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.
National forestBLMCDFW landOther state or federal landCarrizo Plains ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 40,249 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | San Luis Obispo |
| Hunting | Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department. Hunting of coyote and ground squirrel is prohibited on all units. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Elk zone | La Panza |
| Nearest towns | Fellows (6 mi), Derby Acres (8 mi) and Taft Heights (9 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department. Hunting of coyote and ground squirrel is prohibited on all units.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Access to the South Chimineas Unit requires an entry permit issued by the department. Permits must be filled out and retured to the department upon leaving the area. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 630. CDFW's page for Carrizo Plains 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 Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve?
The Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve is approximately 38,900 acres and includes the American Ranch, North Chimineas, and South Chimineas Units. The Carrizo Plain is a diverse complex of scrub and woodland. The lowest elevations are dominated by spiny saltbush and iodine bush, with numerous vernal pools. Immediately upslope is either extensive non-native annual grassland or active drainages dominated by common saltbush. In the hills, several shrub communities are well represented including bush lupine, buckwheat, scrub oaks, and junipers. Numerous bird species occur, as well as carnivores, ungulates, rodents, bats, snakes, lizards, and other species.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: dove, quail, wild pig, cottontail, and jackrabbit may be present
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 Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Carrizo Plains ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 40,249 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
| La Panza elk zone | 39,862 | 19 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Carrizo Plains ER: hunt MA-1 (San Luis Obispo Muzzleloading Rifle/Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt) and hunt MA-3 (Santa Barbara Muzzleloading Rifle/Archery Buck 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 Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 126,201 acres of BLM land, 39,677 acres of CDFW land, 39,298 acres of national forest and 256 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Hwy 166, 45 miles east of Santa Maria and 25 miles west of New Cuyama. Parking lot and entrance gate are at mile marker 45 on the north side of the highway.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 166, CA 58 and CA 33. Nearest towns: Fellows (6 miles), Derby Acres (8 miles), Taft Heights (9 miles) and McKittrick (9 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Carrizo Plains 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 of coyote and ground squirrel is prohibited on all units. Hunting is prohibited on any ecological reserve that section does not list.
Can you camp on Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Carrizo Plains 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 Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve?
Fellows (6 miles), Derby Acres (8 miles) and Taft Heights (9 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, Carrizo Plains 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.