Piute Creek Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Piute Creek Ecological Reserve is 143 acres of CDFW land in San Bernardino 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 D17, where CDFW estimates 58 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 landNational Park ServiceOther state or federal landPiute Creek ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 143 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Hunting | Allowed. |
| Deer zone | Zone D17 |
| Nearest towns | Needles (28 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Piute Creek Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Allowed.
CDFW lists no rules for Piute 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 Piute 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 Piute Creek Ecological Reserve?
The 139-acre Piute Creek Ecological Reserve has overstory vegetation dominated by willow and cottonwood. Common understory species include narrowleaf willow, mule fat, and California bulrush. The rocky, well-drained slopes and alluvial fans surrounding the creek support a great diversity of shrubs and cacti. This site contains a rich diversity of bird species. It is an important breeding and wintering site for both resident and migratory bird species and supports a large number of game species. It also provides an important water source for a population of Nelson's bighorn sheep.
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 Piute Creek Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Piute Creek Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Piute Creek ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D17 | 143 | 58 deer taken in 2025, 11.6% hunter success; 2026 general season October 10 to November 1 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Piute Creek Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 24,438 acres of National Park Service land, 12,117 acres of BLM land, 1,279 acres of other state or federal land and 139 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Piute Creek Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Hwy 95 10 mi south of junction with Hwy 163. West on graded utility road to reserve.
Nearest towns: Needles (28 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Piute 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 Piute Creek Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Piute Creek Ecological Reserve in?
All of it is in deer Zone D17, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 58 deer were taken in Zone D17 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Piute Creek Ecological Reserve?
Needles (28 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, Piute 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.