Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area is 1,349 acres of CDFW land in Mono County, in CDFW's Inland Deserts Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type C: open daily for hunting all legal species without a hunting pass, except where CDFW's area rules say otherwise. It lies in deer Zone X12, where CDFW estimates 193 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 landBurcham & Wheeler Flats WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,349 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | Mono |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X12 |
| Nearest towns | Walker (4 mi), Coleville (9 mi) and Twin Lakes (11 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Burcham & Wheeler Flats WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area beyond those for every wildlife area (Sections 550 and 551).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area?
Burcham and Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area is approximately 1,160 acres of sagebrush scrub and meadow habitat and is managed for preventing further decline of greater sage grouse, providing critical mule deer habitat, and protecting sensitive plant and animal species. This would include activities such as meadow irrigation, stream bank stabilization, and aspen stand restoration.
Over 3,000 mule deer from the East and West Walker deer herds migrate through the area. In addition, the area functions as a portion of the spring and fall holding area for these herds, as well as summer range fawning habitat.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer and quail may be present.
CDFW lists big game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and hiking trails.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: Information kiosk, Disabled Access, Nature Tours.
From CDFW's page for Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Burcham & Wheeler Flats WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X12 | 1,349 | 193 deer taken in 2025, 58.7% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 12 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Burcham & Wheeler Flats WA: hunt A-20 (Zone X-12 Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 85,743 acres of national forest, 3,026 acres of CDFW land, 1,942 acres of BLM land and 163 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: Wheeler Flat: Hwy 395 east of Sonora Junction parking at the Wheeler Guard Station located in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Proceed along Wheeler Creek Trail. Alternate pedestrian access is provided from Forest Route 248 (gated) Burcham Flat: Hwy 395 east of Sonora Junctionto Burcham Flat Road (Forest Road 31) Inland Deserts Region Bishop Office: (760) 872-1171
CDFW's location note: Burcham Flat: Hwy 395 east of Sonora Junctionto Burcham Flat Road (Forest Road 31). Highways within 8 miles: US 395 and CA 108. Nearest towns: Walker (4 miles), Coleville (9 miles), Twin Lakes (11 miles) and Bridgeport (12 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Type C areas are open daily for all legal species, unless CDFW's area rules say otherwise.
Can you camp on Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X12, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 193 deer were taken in Zone X12 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area?
Walker (4 miles), Coleville (9 miles) and Twin Lakes (11 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, Burcham & Wheeler Flats Wildlife Area.
- 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.