Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve is 1,233 acres of CDFW land in Fresno 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 landPleasant Valley ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,233 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Fresno |
| Hunting | Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Coalinga (4 mi), Huron (8 mi) and Avenal (8 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Allowed only at such times and in the specific areas designated by the department.
CDFW lists no rules for Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve?
The approximately 1,200-acre Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve has three units: Phelps Avenue, Jayne Avenue, and Southern. It has a mixture of annual grassland and saltbush scrub habitats. It also contains some seasonal riparian areas. Animals include foxes, squirrels, and lizards.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Pleasant Valley ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 1,233 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,284 acres of CDFW land and 1,112 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Exit I-5 onto Janye Ave. Head west to El Dorado Rd. Turn right, heading north. At intersect of Phelps Ave., turn left and go west approx. 2 to 3 miles until reach an "S" shaped bend in road. Park at gate on south side of road. Access on foot through gate.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 198, I-5, CA 33 and CA 269. Nearest towns: Coalinga (4 miles), Huron (8 miles), Avenal (8 miles) and Kettleman City (16 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley Ecological Reserve?
Coalinga (4 miles), Huron (8 miles) and Avenal (8 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, Pleasant Valley 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.