California Department of Fish and Wildlife – Deer Management Program

California's deer herds are a valuable resource to both hunters and non-hunters alike. Deer can be seen throughout most of California providing enjoyment for many outdoor enthusiasts. For future generations to experience the benefits that come from having healthy, viable deer herds throughout the state, proper management is essential.

The Deer Management Program is composed of branch and field biologists who work together coordinating programs throughout the state. The Deer Management Program, its activities, and staff are largely supported by hunters through the purchase of hunting licenses and deer tags. Biologists develop hunting regulations, provide expertise on habitat and population assessments, compile harvest information, conduct and direct research needs, monitor and estimate populations and respond to various public inquiries related to deer in California. Biologists also work to coordinate joint projects with outside agencies, universities and private entities.

In 1976 A Plan for California Deer was developed to respond to the decline in deer numbers resulting from the loss and degradation of quality deer habitat. With the growing human population in California and continuing loss of quality deer habitats, biologists have realized the goal to restore deer herd numbers to those in the1960s is unlikely and unrealistic. Biologists are currently developing a more realistic approach through a Strategic Plan for California Deer in order to more effectively manage deer herds given the existing and anticipated changes to California's environment.

In addition, important deer habitats are identified through statewide surveys and investigations conducted throughout the year. Based on these investigations, the data are used for analysis of local and statewide land-use planning efforts, as well as providing recommendations to the Lands Committee for possible land acquisition through the Wildlife Conservation Board.

(Courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife)

More Information?

San Bernardino Mountains Deer Zone 19 General Information

San Bernardino Mountains Deer Hunt Zone 19 PDF Map

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Deer Program

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

Located on State Highway 18 west of the community of Skyforest. Come and escape the city and visit our unique mountain oasis of natural beauty! Experience the Heaps Peak Arboretum's gardens, "animal tracks trail," mini-gift booth, and inquire about educational programs. Heaps Peak Arboretum, located at 6,000', is open 365 days a year and is free to the public. Heaps Peak's unique arboretum and botanical gardens greet visitors with a diversity of native plants, and also a few “introductions.” No snow play or picnic areas at this site. Open all year.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 14′ 2.3964″ N

Longitude 117° 9′ 37.8648″ W

This family campground has 19 single-family campsites. All sites are first-come-first-serve basis (no reservations). Holcomb Valley campground is located approximately 5 miles north of Big Bear Lake off Forest Service Road 3N16. Although this campground is open year round, vehicle access will be based on road conditions. Please contact the Big Bear Discovery Center for current road conditions.

Each family campsite accommodates a maximum of 8 people. Amenities include a picnic table, 1 fire ring, bear boxes and vault toilets. A campground host is on site during mid May through October.

Nearby Activities

• Camping

Directions

Directions from Redlands:

Take I-10 East to Redlands. Take the University Street exit, EXIT 80. Turn left (northbound) on University Street. Turn right onto E. Lugonia Avenue/SR-38. Continue on State Highway 38 into Big Bear City, to E. Big Bear Blvd. Turn left onto E. Big Bear Blvd./SR-38. Turn right onto Greenway Drive/CA-18/SR-38. Turn left onto North Shore Drive, SR-38.Continue on North Shore Drive/Hwy 38 until you reach the Van Dusen Canyon Road, Forest Service Road 3N09. Make a right hand turn on Van Dusen Canyon Road. Continue on the Forest Service Road 3N09 for approximately 4 miles. Make a left on Forest Service Road 3N16. Holcomb Valley Campground will be located on the right.

Directions from San Bernardino:

Take I-10 East to San Bernardino. Merge onto CA-210 W via Exit 77 toward CA-330/Highland. Merge onto CA-330 N via Exit 81 toward Mtn Resorts. CA-330 N becomes CA-18 in the town of Running Springs. Take CA-18 to Big Bear. At the Dam/Bridge, turn left onto CA-38 at the signal light towards Fawnskin.Continue on North Shore Drive/CA-38 through Fawnskin. Continue on North Shore Drive/Hwy 38 until you reach the Van Dusen Canyon Road, Forest Service Road 3N09. Make a left  hand turn on Van Dusen Canyon Road. Continue on the Forest Service Road 3N09 for approximately 4 miles. Make a left on Forest Service Road 3N16. Holcomb Valley Campground will be located on the right.

For winter access take Polique Canyon Road when Van Dusen Canyon Road is closed for winter.  From Fawnskin, continue on North Shoe Drive/Hwy 38 to Polique Canyon Road. Make a left, Polique Canyon Road becomes Forest Service Road 2N09. Continue on 2N09 for approximately 4 miles. Make a right hand turn (east ) on 3N16 for ¾ of a mile. Holcomb Valley Campground will be on your left hand side.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 18′ 9.3348″ N

Longitude 116° 53′ 45.3588″ W

14 remote camping sites  scattered across the high ridge of the Santa Rosa Mountain offer isolated scenic campsites ideal for tent and car camping or a relaxing picnic far from the crowds.  A fire ring and a picnic table is available at each site, however these sites do NOT contain many amenities found at developed campgrounds. Water is available only at Santa Rosa Spring Yellow Post Site 3 & 4, the only restroom is located near Yellow Post Sites 10 – 14.  Trash containers are not provided, please pack it in – pack it out! All sites are first-come, first-served.

Campfire permits are required for any type of fire use – campfires, charcoal BBQ’s, or propane or liquid fuel stoves. Campfires may not be allowed during high fire danger, generally July through December.  Please see “Current Conditions” below.

These Yellow Post Sites are reached via Forest Road 7S02 (Santa Rosa Truck Trail).  7S02 is an unpaved road which may not be suitable for all vehicles.  Please also view the Santa Rosa Truck Trail page, or call the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center at 760-862-9984 (Closed Tues/Wed), or the Idyllwild Ranger Station for more information on road conditions and fire restrictions (909) 382-2921 (closed Wed/Thurs).

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 33° 32′ 15.5400″ N

Longitude 116° 27′ 32.5944″ W

Riding is permitted on Forest Road 1N96 Keller Peak Road.  Riders must stay on the designated route.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 12′ 11.9664″ N

Longitude 117° 5′ 16.1124″ W

The landscape surrounding Deep Creek is unique in a southern California context, and its recreation opportunities are valued at the regional and national levels. Thermal hot springs located here are unique and regionally important.

Deep Creek supports the greatest diversity of wildlife habitats of any drainage on the San Bernardino National Forest and has earned the State designation of a Wild Trout Stream. It also represents some of the greatest diversity of vegetation communities of any drainage on the national forest. The surrounding area represents a transiticonifer forest. The vegetation ranges from sparse creosote, chamise and California buckwheat at lower elevations to oak and pinyon woodland and scattered mixed conifer, healthy riparian habitats are also present. 
 
 The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) follows the creek from the Lake Arrowhead area to the Mojave River Forks Dam for 16 miles as part of the 2,650 mile national scenic trail crossing Deep Creek twice on elevated bridges. For more information on the Pacific Crest Trail, visit their website at www.pcta.org

Also Deep Creek is home to the Southwestern Arroyo Toad, an endangered species who lives in the sandy shore of the creek. The toad is a small (2.2-2.9 inches), dark-spotted and light-olive green or gray to tan with dark spots and warty skin. The toad lives from confluence of the Mojave River up to an elevation of 4,300 feet usually spending the day burrowed in the sand and coming out at night to forage for food.

Directions

The Deep Creek Hot Springs are located in the Deep Creek drainage, outside the city of Apple Valley.  The easiest access is through the Bowen Ranch Road, which accesses the site through private land (a fee is charged). The trail descends steeply for 2 1/2 miles to the springs. An alternative route is to hike the Pacific Crest Trail east from Arrowhead Lake Road, roughly a six mile hike. 

Directions from Interstate 15

From northbound, exit Main Street in Hesperia, turn right and continue approximately 10 miles.

From southbound, exit Main Street in Hesperia, turn left and continue approximately 10 miles.

Turn left on Rock Springs Road and travel approximately 8 miles east.  Rock Springs Road becomes Roundup Way and becomes a graded dirt road.

Turn right on Bowen Ranch Road.  Bowen Ranch Road is a graded dirt road and may be subject to weather related damage such as washouts and rutting. 

Bowen Ranch is private land.  There are alternate routes around the ranch on Bureau of Land Management dirt roads.  For directions on the BLM designated routes, contact the BLM Barstow Field Office at 2601 Barstow Road in Barstow, CA 92311  Phone: 760-252-6000 

GPS for the trailhead: 34 21’08 N  117 10’03 W 

Directions via Google Maps

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 34° 20′ 21.8148″ N

Longitude 117° 10′ 37.0668″ W

3.5 miles and runs from Juan Diego OHV Road 6S89 to east of Reed Valley Road.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 33° 35′ 51.3276″ N

Longitude 116° 46′ 56.0892″ W

California Department of Fish and Wildlife – Deer Management Program

California’s deer herds are a valuable resource to both hunters and non-hunters alike. Deer can be seen throughout most of California providing enjoyment for many outdoor enthusiasts. For future generations to experience the benefits that come from having healthy, viable deer herds throughout the state, proper management is essential.

The Deer Management Program is composed of branch and field biologists who work together coordinating programs throughout the state. The Deer Management Program, its activities, and staff are largely supported by hunters through the purchase of hunting licenses and deer tags. Biologists develop hunting regulations, provide expertise on habitat and population assessments, compile harvest information, conduct and direct research needs, monitor and estimate populations and respond to various public inquiries related to deer in California. Biologists also work to coordinate joint projects with outside agencies, universities and private entities.

In 1976 A Plan for California Deer was developed to respond to the decline in deer numbers resulting from the loss and degradation of quality deer habitat. With the growing human population in California and continuing loss of quality deer habitats, biologists have realized the goal to restore deer herd numbers to those in the1960s is unlikely and unrealistic. Biologists are currently developing a more realistic approach through a Strategic Plan for California Deer in order to more effectively manage deer herds given the existing and anticipated changes to California’s environment.

In addition, important deer habitats are identified through statewide surveys and investigations conducted throughout the year. Based on these investigations, the data are used for analysis of local and statewide land-use planning efforts, as well as providing recommendations to the Lands Committee for possible land acquisition through the Wildlife Conservation Board.

(Courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife)

More Information?

San Bernardino Mountains Deer Zone 19 General Information

San Bernardino Mountains Deer Hunt Zone 19 PDF Map

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Deer Program

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

3.8 miles from State Route 243 to the junction with 4S06 Indian Canyon OHV Road.  All OHV laws apply.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 33° 49′ 33.7656″ N

Longitude 116° 47′ 44.2644″ W

Interpretive signs illustrate the wildlife of the area, including woodpeckers, bluebirds, jays, deer, squirrels, pack rats, hawks, and insects.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 33° 47′ 0.1356″ N

Longitude 116° 45′ 5.1696″ W