Get the onXhunt app for your phone or gps. Most of the BLM and public land will be in there and color coded. If your in color your good, if not private land. Most COs use the same to verify your location. Public and BLM land is open to PUBLIC. Just show up and legally do your thing
LAND OWNERSHIP/PUBLIC LAND OPPORTUNITIES
Zone D-16 contains a mixture of both public and private lands. Remember, you must obtain and have, in your possession, written permission to hunt on private property. Hunter trespass laws are strictly enforced. Public lands within Zone D-16 are primarily administered by the Cleveland National Forest (USFS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). For information regarding these lands, contact the following:
USFS Offices
Cleveland National Forest, 10845 Rancho Bernardo Road, Ste. 200, Rancho Bernardo, CA 92127-2107 (858-673-6180)
BLM Offices
California Desert District, 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553 (951- 697-5200)
El Centro Field Office, 1661 South Fourth Street, El Centro CA 92243 (760-337-4400)
Palm Springs South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760-833- 7100)
Wilderness lands have been established within the Cleveland National Forest. The Agua Tibia, Pine Creek, and Hauser Wilderness Areas are accessible by hiking and pack stock. Public use of the wilderness is regulated by permit. Information on wilderness area restrictions and Wilderness Permits may be obtained by contacting the Cleveland National Forest.
In Zone D-16 and other zones throughout California, additional deer hunting opportunities may exist on private property licensed through the Department’s Private Lands Management Program (PLM). For more information on the PLM and to obtain a list of participating ranches, visit CDFW’s PLM web page.
Reminder: In Zone D-16, Anza-Borrego Desert and Cuyamaca Rancho State Parks comprise much of eastern San Diego and a portion of western Imperial County. These parks are closed to hunting.
MAPS
For general maps detailing individual zone or additional deer hunt boundaries, visit
CDFW’s Deer Hunting web page.
The most comprehensive map of the area is the Cleveland National Forest map. USFS maps are available locally at most USFS offices; by contacting the USFS Pacific Southwest Regional Office at: 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592 (707-562-8737); or ordered by phone (406-329-3024), fax (406-329-3030), or mail at USDA Forest Service, National Forest Store, P.O. Box 8268, Missoula, MT 59807; or online at the National Forest Map Store website.
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D16 Zone General Deer Hunt Information
BLM surface management maps may also be useful. These maps can be purchased at local BLM district offices; the BLM at 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-1834, Sacramento, CA 95825 (916-978-4400); or online at BLM’s California Maps web page.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps are very helpful, especially for topographic features that are not displayed on USFS or BLM maps. USGS maps may be available from many sporting goods, backpacking or engineering stores; by contacting the USGS directly at: Rocky Mountain Mapping Center, Branch of Information Services, Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225 (888-ASK-USGS); or online at the USGS Store website.
ACCESS/MAJOR ROADS
Although there is a lot of private land in Zone D-16, there are extensive tracts of public lands with excellent access. Primary roadways in Zone D-16 include Interstates 8 and 15, and Highways 76, 78, and 79. Many County and USFS roads branch off of these primary roadways providing access to public lands.
