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Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area

Description

Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and consists of oak and pine woodland. It is 512 acres, surrounded primarily by U.S. Forest Service lands. This deer winter range is also habitat for bear, mountain lion, rattlesnake, and quail. Wildlife populations and habitat conditions are similar to those of the surrounding National Forest, although parts are not quite as steep.

For more information, call the Central Region's Fresno office at (559) 243-4005 ext. 151.

Recreational Opportunities

wildlife viewing hunting with shotgun archery hunting deer hunting turkey hunting

Activities: wildlife viewing and hunting

Hunting:

Type C: Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas.

Area History

In pre-European times, Kinsman Flat, then called Soyakinu, was inhabited by Native Americans, specifically the North Fork Mono. Joseph Kinsman first visited the area now associated with his name around 1853, probably attracted by the numerous deer and bear found there. He later settled in the vicinity with his wife "Mary", a Mono Indian. Kinsman's daughter, Annie, later held extensive acreage at Kinsman Flat and she and her husband lived there.

Ownership has changed hands many times, but remained for many years in the possession of no more than six parties, until a subdivision of one parcel into fourteen 20-acre parcels prompted the Department to propose acquisition. The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1987.

map of Kinsman Flat WA - click to enlarge in new window
Click to enlarge

Location

Central Region (Region 4)

Madera County

15 miles east of the town of North Fork, on Mammoth Pool Rd.

Directions: Hwy 41 north from Fresno approximately 20 miles to County Road 200, turn right towards O'Neals and North Fork. Continue 17 miles, to North Fork, staying on the same main road which becomes Mammoth Pool Road. Approximately 12.2 miles past North Fork is a sign for Wik-up Ranch, turn right onto Kinsman Flat Road, go one mile to fork in road. Take the left fork (Arrowhead Road), go .5 mile to intersection of Arrowhead and Fairhaven, which is the western boundary of the Wildlife Area.

CDFW Lands Viewer

Wildlife Branch - Lands Program
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090