Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve is 590 acres of CDFW land in Inyo 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: Upland game only. It lies in deer Zone X9c, where CDFW estimates 77 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 landOther state or federal landIndian Joe Springs ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 590 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | Inyo |
| Hunting | Upland game only. |
| Deer zone | Zone X9c |
| Nearest towns | Trona (2 mi), Searles Valley (4 mi) and Homewood Canyon (4 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Upland game only.
CDFW lists no rules for Indian Joe Springs 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 Indian Joe Springs 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 Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve?
Most of the 520-acre Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve has sparse vegetative cover. The site contains a small amount of Desert Willow Riparian Scrub community, which supports a variety of wildlife, including an endangered bird species. The topography features moderate to steep sloping lands reaching approximately 3,800 feet in elevation. There are five springs on the property.
CDFW is in the process or reexamining the name Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve and have heard from local tribes that this is the preferred name. CDFW continues to seek tribal input to ensure Department property names are culturally appropriate to the original stewards of California since time immemorial.
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, fishing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Indian Joe Springs ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X9c | 590 | 77 deer taken in 2025, 24% hunter success; 2026 general season October 17 to November 8 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Indian Joe Springs ER: hunt A-18 (Zone X-9c Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 25,929 acres of BLM land, 1,633 acres of other state or federal land and 590 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Hwy 178. Reserve is 4 miles north of Trona, west of 178.
Nearest towns: Trona (2 miles), Searles Valley (4 miles), Homewood Canyon (4 miles) and Valley Wells (4 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve?
Yes, within CDFW's limits in Section 630(d): Upland game only. Hunting is prohibited on any ecological reserve that section does not list.
Can you camp on Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve in?
All of it is in deer Zone X9c, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 77 deer were taken in Zone X9c in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Indian Joe Springs Ecological Reserve?
Trona (2 miles), Searles Valley (4 miles) and Homewood Canyon (4 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, Indian Joe Springs 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.