Cartago Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Cartago Wildlife Area is 232 acres of CDFW land in Inyo 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 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.
National forestBLMCDFW landOther state or federal landCartago WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 232 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | Inyo |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X9c |
| Elk zone | Lone Pine |
| Nearest towns | Cartago (next to it), Olancha (3 mi) and Keeler (13 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Cartago Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Cartago WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Cartago 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 Cartago 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 Cartago Wildlife Area?
Cartago Wildlife Area consists of 232 acres of freshwater wetland and springs which provide habitat for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds including western snowy plovers, white-faced ibis and rails. Owens Lake has been designated a Nationally Significant Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society and American Bird Conservancy, and 144 bird species have been documented on the wildlife area. The topography of the area is generally flat and at an elevation of 3,600'.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Waterfowl, dove, quail, and rabbits may be present. Shotguns only (due to the close proximity of Hwy 395).
CDFW lists small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Cartago Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Cartago Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Cartago WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X9c | 232 | 77 deer taken in 2025, 24% hunter success; 2026 general season October 17 to November 8 |
| Lone Pine elk zone | 232 | 1 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Cartago WA: hunt A-18 (Zone X-9c Archery Hunt).
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 Cartago Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 13,319 acres of national forest, 8,999 acres of other state or federal land, 8,897 acres of BLM land and 233 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Cartago Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Bishop or Ridgecrest take Hwy 395 to Whitney Street in Cartago. The wildlife area boundary is about 1/2 mile east of Hwy 395.
CDFW's location note: Southwestern shore of Owens Dry Lake, about 75 miles south of Bishop and 60 miles north of Ridgecrest on Hwy 395 at Cartago. Highways within 8 miles: US 395 and CA 190. Nearest towns: Cartago (next to it), Olancha (3 miles), Keeler (13 miles) and Lone Pine (17 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Cartago 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 Cartago Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Cartago Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Cartago Wildlife Area 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 Cartago Wildlife Area?
Cartago (next to it), Olancha (3 miles) and Keeler (13 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, Cartago 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.