📊 HVI — Harvest Value Index
0–100 score: best realistic harvest odds for your situation. Higher = better chance of killing something this year.
Success×0.5 + Access×0.3 + Trend×0.2
🚗 Drive from LA
Approximate driving distance and time from Los Angeles. Key for planning day trips, overnights, or multi-day scout trips.
Green <1.5hr · Blue 1.5-3hr · Amber 3-5hr · Red 5hr+
✅ Success %
Verified 6-year CDFW average (2019–2025) — estimated deer killed ÷ tags issued. The most honest harvest probability number available.
Source: CDFW official harvest statistics
🦌 Herd Health
% of hunters who say deer population is "just right" in that zone. Higher = healthier herd with good deer numbers. From CDFW hunter survey.
Source: CDFW Responsive Management Study
👥 Crowding
Hunter pressure level per zone based on tag quotas, applicants, and hunter satisfaction surveys. Low crowding = more deer per hunter = better odds.
Low / Medium / High hunter pressure
🏔️ Antler Quality
Weighted average antler points of harvested bucks (2pt×2 + 3pt×3 + 4pt×4 + 5pt+×5.5). Higher = bigger bucks killed in that zone historically.
Scale: 2.0 = mostly forks · 4.0+ = elite trophy zone
📅 California Season Calendar
Every species legal to hunt in CA — exact dates from CDFW 2026 regulations. Always verify at wildlife.ca.gov before hunting.
● Full month open ● Partial (some days/zones) · Pig, Coyote, Rabbit shown on every month — always open. Months split by Big Game · Upland/Dove · Waterfowl.