Hunters discussing California's Zone X-10 and the elusive G38 tag highlight a few critical insights. Many noted discrepancies in draw odds information, suggesting the need for verification, while pointing out an existing error in the "buzz" section description. Hunter experiences varied, with low success rates mentioned and advice to focus on elevation shifts noted; deer seem to migrate from higher elevations, particularly after mid-October, moving towards lower, eastern desert regions. Additionally, while bear numbers are present, higher concentrations reside in other zones or areas like the forest around the Sierra lakes. Sharing success in these complex terrains and timing adjustments during the migration could improve hunting strategies in X-10.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 100"-120" | 130"+ |
High
Low
Zone X-10 located in portions of Kern, Tulare and Inyo counties.
This area is a short drive from Los Angeles. This is another small X zone, high tag allowances, low harvest rates, low percentage of harvest containing mature bucks, so spend your points wisely.Located in the eastern Sierra Nevadas, X-10 is home to the famous Golden Trout wilderness. This unit is almost entirely public land, with a mixture of BLM, Sequoia and Inyo national forest, so getting away from crowds and finding secluded pockets is not hard to do. Definitely worth bringing a fly rod for those summer scouting trips.
The terrain in this zone has a huge variation from the lowlands up to the high mountain peaks.
The majority of Zone X-10 is public land administered by the Inyo and Sequoia National Forests and the Bureau of Land Management.
Major access to Zone X-10 from the east is along the Nine Mile Canyon/Kennedy Meadows Road from Highway 395, approximately two miles north of Pearsonville. From the west, take the Sherman Pass/Black Rock Road off Sierra Way along the Kern River, approximately five miles north of Fairview. Access from the South occurs along the Canebrake/Chimney Peak Road from Highway 178, approximately three miles east of Canebrake. Once in Zone X-10, a number of roads allow access onto public lands.
The desert scrub community occurs from approximately 4,500 to 6,500 feet. Common species associated with this plant community include shadscale, big sagebrush, black sage, Mormon tea, rabbitbrush, winterfat, Indigo bush, and buckwheat. The pinyon woodland community occurs from approximately 6,500 to 9,500 feet. Pinyon pine is the dominant tree in this area, although Utah juniper can be an important co-dominant species. Big sagebrush is the dominant shrub in the pinyon woodland community. Other common species include desert bitterbrush, antelope bitterbrush, Mormon tea, rabbitbrush, and mountain mahogany. Common herbaceous species are June grass, Indianrice grass, and squirreltail grass. The upper elevation area of this plant community is dominated by treeless, sagebrush-dominated vegetation.
Subalpine forest occurs from 9,500 feet to 11,500 feet in elevation. The bristlecone and limber pine are the dominant tree species in this plant community. Common shrubs include sagebrush, mountain mahogany, fernbush, and creambush. Vegetation is extremely sparse at these elevations and mainly consists of low growing perennial shrubs and annuals.
There are several USFS campgrounds within Zone X-10 and these are clearly marked on USFS and BLM maps. Camping outside of designated campgrounds is usually permitted on BLM and USFS lands. However, during fire season special regulations may apply and it will be necessary to obtain a fire permit from the USFS or BLM.
Roughly 944 square miles
95% public land
Elevations range from 4,000 – 12,000 feet