Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area is 519 acres of CDFW land in Madera County, in CDFW's Central 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 D7, where CDFW estimates 1,300 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 forestCDFW landKinsman Flat WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 519 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Madera |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone D7 |
| Nearest towns | Big Creek (5 mi), Shaver Lake (7 mi) and Auberry (9 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Kinsman Flat WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms | Whole area | During spring turkey season only shotguns and archery equipment may be used. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Kinsman Flat 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 Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area?
Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and consists of oak and pine woodland. It is 512 acres, surrounded primarily by U.S. Forest Service lands. This deer winter range is also habitat for bear, mountain lion, rattlesnake, and quail. Wildlife populations and habitat conditions are similar to those of the surrounding National Forest, although parts are not quite as steep.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Type C: Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas. Facilities: None.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Kinsman Flat WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D7 | 519 | 1,300 deer taken in 2025, 14.5% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to November 1 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Kinsman Flat WA: hunt G-40 (D-7 Late Season Buck Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 41,223 acres of national forest and 474 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: Hwy 41 north from Fresno approximately 20 miles to County Road 200, turn right towards O'Neals and North Fork. Continue 17 miles, to North Fork, staying on the same main road which becomes Mammoth Pool Road. Approximately 12.2 miles past North Fork is a sign for Wik-up Ranch, turn right onto Kinsman Flat Road, go one mile to fork in road.
CDFW's location note: 15 miles east of the town of North Fork, on Mammoth Pool Rd. Highways within 8 miles: CA 168. Nearest towns: Big Creek (5 miles), Shaver Lake (7 miles), Auberry (9 miles) and North Fork (9 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Kinsman Flat 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 Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone D7, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 1,300 deer were taken in Zone D7 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area?
Big Creek (5 miles), Shaver Lake (7 miles) and Auberry (9 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, Kinsman Flat 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.