Quick Tips
- Fishing at Pine Flat lake can be very productive for rainbow trout, catfish and bass
- It also has many underutilized campgrounds at this very large lake
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-130" | 140"+ |
On The Ground
Zone D-7 is located in portions of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa and Tulare counties, East of Highway 99 to the Sierra mountains.
This area is a 4 to 5-hour drive from Los Angeles, if no traffic, making it an ideal zone for southern California hunters seeking an alpine hunting environment. As with most of California, there will be plenty of hunters in the field. Stay safe and wear your blaze orange clothing. This is an extreme high use area.
Terrain
The terrain in this zone changes drastically form east to west. It runs from the flat lands in the valleys in the west, up into the high mountains of the Sierra Nevadas in the east.
Roughly 3,733 square miles
57% public land
Elevations range from 250 – 13,900 feet
Vegetation
The terrain can be very steep and rugged and vegetation can be extremely dense. The vegetation is highly varied throughout Zone D-7 ranging from oak-woodland, mixed and montane chaparral, hardwood, hardwood-conifer, aspen and dense conifer to alpine habitats.
Access
Zone D-7 contains a mixture of approximately 60% public and 40% private land. The majority of public lands within Zone D-7 are administered by the Sierra National Forest.
Wilderness lands have been established within several portions of the Sierra National Forest. The Ansel Adams, John Muir, Kaiser Lakes, and Dinkey Lakes Wilderness areas are accessible by hiking and pack stock. Public use of the wilderness is regulated by permit. Information on wilderness areas restrictions and Wilderness Permits may be obtained by contacting the Sierra National Forest.
Reminder: In the south-eastern portion of Zone D-7, lands within the Kings Canyon National Park are closed to hunting. This area is well-defined on the Sierra National Forest map.
Camping and Lodging
There are numerous Forest Service campgrounds within Zone D-7. The developed campsites are shown on the Forest Service maps. Informal camping is allowed on Forest Service lands, but campfires permits are required. Permits may be obtained from any USFS, BLM, or California Department of Forestry (CDF) office. Shaver Lake has several nice campgrounds (19 total in the immediate area) near the edge of public land making it a good beginning location for exploring further into the zone.
Shaver Lake also has rental cabins if you were looking for more comfort during your trip.
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