Monache Meadows Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Monache Meadows Wildlife Area is 234 acres of CDFW land in Tulare 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 X10, where CDFW estimates 59 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 landMonache Meadows WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 234 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Tulare |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X10 |
| Nearest towns | Cartago (9 mi), Olancha (10 mi) and Kennedy Meadows (15 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Monache Meadows Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Monache Meadows WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Monache Meadows 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 Monache Meadows 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 Monache Meadows Wildlife Area?
Monache Meadows Wildlife Area is 248 acres within the Inyo National Forest. Monache Creek and the South Fork of Kern River cross this area. The river that transverses the meadow is home to some of the last remaining native populations of golden trout in the world. In addition, it includes suitable habitat for the Sierra Nevada fox, wolverine, and the spotted owl.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Type C: Monache Meadows 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 and fishing.
From CDFW's page for Monache Meadows Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Monache Meadows Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Monache Meadows WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X10 | 234 | 59 deer taken in 2025, 14.9% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to October 11 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Monache Meadows WA: hunt A-19 (Zone X-10 Archery Hunt) and hunt G-38 (X-10 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 Monache Meadows Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 38,620 acres of national forest and 246 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Monache Meadows Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: 4WD access only. Northeast of California Hot Springs & Johnsondale on Sherman Pass Road to S. Fork Kern River at Monache Creek.
CDFW's location note: Between Golden Trout Wilderness & S. Sierra Wilderness and south of Hessian Meadow. Nearest towns: Cartago (9 miles), Olancha (10 miles), Kennedy Meadows (15 miles) and Ponderosa (21 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Monache Meadows 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 Monache Meadows Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Monache Meadows Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Monache Meadows Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X10, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 59 deer were taken in Zone X10 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Monache Meadows Wildlife Area?
Cartago (9 miles), Olancha (10 miles) and Kennedy Meadows (15 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, Monache Meadows 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.