The La Panza zone is a relatively larger elk zone west of I-5 in the south-central portion of the state, extending from Pinnacles National Monument down to the Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve near Highway 166, including portions of Los Padres National Forest.

The Private Ranch fees tend to be higher than most DIY hunters are willing to pay and the Governors tags are well beyond the reach for most.

The elevations are not extreme but the vegetation and ravines of the unit can be barriers to an effective harvest. The unit is a mixture of multiple types of land ownership which makes access to public lands difficult at times. The unit is very beautiful and the coastal weather makes this a nice area to hunt.

The vegetation is highly varied throughout the zone ranging from coastal scrub, mixed chaparral and oak-hardwood forests in the south through mixed chaparral, oak-grassland and dense conifer forests in the north. Recently burned areas or clear cuts that have re-sprouted with brush are good areas to hunt.

The Los Padres National Forest publishes a recreation map for the National Forest which is a good general guide for much of the hunt area.

The weather during the hunts can be variable and it may be hot during your hunt so plan accordingly. If it rains, roads will be impassable for a period of time, usually only a few days.

There are two BLM camping areas within the Carrizo Plain National Monument at the KCL Ranch and at the Selby Ranch; several small camps are also available within the Los Padres National Forest. All camps are primitive, with no potable water available, so bring your own.

Weather in October and November is typically highs in the 70s with lows in the 40s with a chance of rain.