Panoche Hills
The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office lifted its seasonal fire restrictions on December 4th(Press Release)(Signed Order).
CAMPING
Dispersed camping is available at Panoche Hills, although there is no camping within 200 yards of any wildlife watering improvement. You must park within 15 feet (roughly one vehicle length) of any roadway when camping or leaving a vehicle unattended to minimize habitat and vegetation impacts. Please remember to bring a shovel with you for both personal sanitation and fire prevention purposes. There is a 14 day camping limit within any 28-day period.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Maps
Restrictions
- The BLM Central Coast Field Office will close Panoche and Tumey Hills in Fresno County to vehicle access seasonally for public safety and to reduce risk of wildfires. Opening dates are determined annually based on existing conditions.
- No shooting zone within 150 yards of any developed area.
- There is no night hunting.
- Vehicles are restricted to designated routes.
- OHV’s are prohibited.
HUNTING
The BLM Central Coast Field Office manages Panoche Hills in partnership with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Panoche Hills Ecological Reserve.
There are three main types of hunting available, including upland game bird, small game, and big game like deer and wild pigs. Varmint (non-game) hunting is also allowed. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulates the hunting seasons for different species and the types of firearms allowed for use. Please be aware that this region is home to the California Condor and affects non-game hunting.
Hunting opportunities in this area consist primarily of game birds (chukar and quail), wild pig and deer.
TARGET SHOOTING
There are no designated target shooting areas in the Central Coast Field Office area, however, Public Lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management are open to target shooting except when prohibited by other applicable laws and regulations.
While target shooting on BLM lands you must:
- Use legal weapons and ammunition
- Employ a safe backstop (hill) within close proximity behind the target
- Remove all your targets, gun shells, clay pigeons, and any and all items used for your target shooting
You may not:
- Shoot within 150 yards of residences, structures, or developed areas (i.e. day use areas)
- Shoot onto private lands
- Shoot across a roadway or trail
- Shoot at hazardous materials such as propane tanks or paint cans
- Shoot at trees, facilities, signs, or outbuildings
Call or email the Central Coast Field Office at 831-582-2200 for more information on shooting safely and be sure to visit the State of California's Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Firearms web page.
Phone
Activities
Addresses
Geographic Coordinates
Directions
From Interstate-5, take the Mercy Hot Springs exit County Road J-1/Little Panoche Road. Continue west past the Little Panoche detention dam. In 8 miles, you will see a BLM sign on the left indicating the entrance to the Panoche Hills.