Lokern Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Lokern Ecological Reserve is 3,406 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 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 parkLokern ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 3,406 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. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Elk zone | La Panza |
| Nearest towns | Tupman (2 mi), McKittrick (4 mi) and Buttonwillow (4 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Lokern Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department.
CDFW lists no rules for Lokern 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 Lokern 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 Lokern Ecological Reserve?
The Lokern Ecological Reserve is approximately 3,100 acres of marsh, valley sink scrub, and valley saltbush scrub habitat. Vegetation in the marsh habitat includes tule, cattail and other common marsh species. Animal species include frogs, snakes, turtles, shorebirds, ducks, geese, herons, blackbirds, shrews, raccoons, voles, and tule elk. Typical native plant species in valley sink scrub are iodine bush and seepweed, with the understory dominated by non-native species. Toads, raptors, larks, weasels, and more can be found in this habitat.
From CDFW's page for Lokern Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Lokern Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Lokern ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 3,406 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
| La Panza elk zone | 300 | 19 elk taken in 2022 |
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 Lokern Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 12,561 acres of BLM land, 4,479 acres of CDFW land and 991 acres of state park land.
How do you get to Lokern Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Hwy 58 and Lokern Rd, about 2.5 mi W of Buttonwillow.
Highways within 8 miles: I-5, CA 58, CA 33, CA 46 and CA 119. Nearest towns: Tupman (2 miles), McKittrick (4 miles), Buttonwillow (4 miles) and Dustin Acres (7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Lokern 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 Lokern Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Lokern 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 Lokern Ecological Reserve?
Tupman (2 miles), McKittrick (4 miles) and Buttonwillow (4 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, Lokern 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.