Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area is 968 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 forestCDFW landOther state or federal landPickel Meadow WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 968 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 (10 mi), Coleville (14 mi) and Bridgeport (14 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Pickel Meadow WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Pickel Meadow 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 Pickel Meadow 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 Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area?
Beginning in July 2026 CDFW and partners are implementing the Pickel Meadow Restoration Project to improve habitat for fish and wildlife, and improve access and recreational opportunities. It is anticipated that the project will last until November 2026. Parking at the "People's Gate" parking lot will be unavailable during this time. For more information please see Pickel Meadow Restoration Project FAQs
Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area is 991 acres of Jefferey pine, sagebrush, bitterbrush riparian, and wet meadow habitat at elevations from 6,800' to 7,000'. It is surrounded by Toiyabe National Forest and contains portions of West Walker and Little Walker Rivers, Silver and Poore Creeks, and Millie and Mud Lakes.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, waterfowl, mountain quail, and blue grouse may be present. Method of take: shotguns, rifles, archery.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, fishing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Pickel Meadow WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X12 | 968 | 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 Pickel Meadow 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 Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 63,309 acres of national forest, 2,377 acres of CDFW land and 159 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: About 15 miles northwest of Bridgeport. Highways within 8 miles: US 395 and CA 108. Nearest towns: Walker (10 miles), Coleville (14 miles), Bridgeport (14 miles) and Twin Lakes (14 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Pickel Meadow 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 Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Pickel Meadow 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 Pickel Meadow Wildlife Area?
Walker (10 miles), Coleville (14 miles) and Bridgeport (14 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, Pickel Meadow 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.