Unit D13 Zone D13
Resident California mule deer in the high chaparral and pine country of the Los Padres backcountry
Southern California — Los Padres / Mount Pinos Country · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,308
sq mi
Public land
50%
approx.
Elevation
1,500–8,847
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Zone D-13 spreads across portions of Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, anchored on the Mount Pinos-Frazier Mountain highlands and the surrounding Los Padres National Forest. It is a mixture of public and private ground, but the Los Padres holds extensive, well-roaded public tracts with excellent access — a genuine public-land general-tag zone in an otherwise private-heavy corner of the state. Deer here are California mule deer that live as resident, non-migratory animals, drifting up and down slope with the weather rather than making long seasonal moves. Success rates run low (roughly 10 percent) on hard-hunted, brush-dwelling deer, so this is an opportunity zone that rewards boot leather and glass.
Terrain
Rugged Transverse Range country climbing from oak-dotted valleys and canyon bottoms to the pine-clad crest of Mount Pinos (8,847 ft), the highest point in the Los Padres, with steep chaparral faces and rocky ridgelines between.
Cover: Highly varied — oak woodland and mixed/montane chaparral on the mid-slopes, pinyon-juniper on the drier east side, and conifer forest grading to subalpine habitat on the high peaks. Recently burned areas, resprouting brush, and acorn-bearing oak flats are the productive feeding pockets.
Landmarks: Mount Pinos · Frazier Mountain · Sespe Wilderness · Chumash Wilderness · Lockwood Valley · Sespe Condor Sanctuary (closed to access) · Cerro Noroeste
Access
Despite a lot of private land, the Los Padres National Forest provides extensive public tracts with good forest-road access. The Sespe and Chumash Wilderness Areas are reachable only by foot or pack stock and require permits; the Sespe Condor Sanctuary inside the Sespe Wilderness is closed to public entry. Private property requires written landowner permission and trespass laws are strictly enforced; some ranches offer access through CDFW's Private Lands Management (PLM) program.
Managers: USFS Los Padres National Forest, Private ranch and inholding land
Access points: Mount Pinos / Cerro Noroeste roads off Frazier Mountain Park Road · Lockwood Valley Road corridor · Forest roads out of Frazier Park · Sespe Wilderness trailheads (foot/stock only)
Species notes
Mule Deer
common opportunityCalifornia mule deer are the marquee game here — resident, non-migratory animals that move up and down slope with the weather. Around 313 deer are taken in an average recent year at roughly a 10 percent success rate, so bucks are earned. Fall storms push deer down off Mount Pinos and the high ridges, often during the season, so hunters should be ready to follow them to lower elevations after weather.
- →Glass chaparral-to-oak transition lines and recent burns at first and last light
- →Hunt higher pine and montane ridges early in the season, then drop to lower brush after the first storms push deer down
- →Key on acorn-bearing oak flats once the mast drops
- →Work canyon riparian stringers and resprouting brush for feeding deer
- →Cover country on foot into the Sespe/Chumash Wilderness to escape road pressure
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears occupy the timbered and brushy Los Padres backcountry and can be taken on a general bear tag during the fall season.
- →Glass acorn-heavy oak slopes and brush canyons in early fall
- →Watch berry and mast concentrations on the forest fringe
Pro tips
- →Follow the weather — the best hunting often comes after a fall storm drops snow up high and pushes resident deer to lower brush
- →Scout burns and resprouting chaparral; fresh browse concentrates deer in this fire-shaped country
- →Use the wilderness areas to get away from road-hunter pressure, but plan for foot or stock access and permits
- →Glass the oak-woodland edges and acorn flats hard once mast is dropping
- →Confirm public/private boundaries with a parcel map — private inholdings and ranches are scattered through the zone
Watch out for
- !Extensive private ranch land and inholdings — written permission required, trespass strictly enforced
- !High early-season fire danger and possible forest or road closures
- !Sespe Condor Sanctuary is closed to public access; wilderness areas need permits
- !Hot, dry conditions and scarce water early; rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak in the chaparral
- !Nonlead ammunition is required statewide when taking wildlife in California
Logistics
Base out of Frazier Park, Lebec, or Gorman along the I-5 Grapevine for fuel, lodging, and groceries; the zone sits roughly 1-2 hours north of the Los Angeles basin. Carry plenty of water for hot, dry early-season conditions, a tire and recovery kit for rough forest roads, and coolers to protect meat in warm temperatures. A Forest Adventure Pass may be required to park on some Los Padres lands.
Nearest towns: Frazier Park, Lebec, Gorman, Ojai, Maricopa
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official California sources:
Research sources: CDFW Zone D-13 General Deer Hunting Information · CDFW Deer Hunting · USFS Los Padres National Forest
FAQ
- How big is Unit D13 in California?
- Unit D13 (Zone D13) covers about 1,308 square miles, ranging from roughly 1,500 to 8,847 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit D13?
- Approximately 50% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Los Padres National Forest, Private ranch and inholding land. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit D13?
- Mule Deer, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official California agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit D13 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.