Kinsman Flat is located on Mammoth Pool Road just 15 miles from the town of North Fork. It covers 512 acres of land, mostly surrounded by United State Forest Service lands. This area is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and consists of oak and pine woodland. This deer winter range is also habitat for bear, mountain lion and badger.
Biologist believe that long-term declines in habitat condition are most responsible for the decline in the California deer population. Land management practices that have prohibited fire result in changes toward more mature, less diverse habitats, and reduced quality and quantity of deer habitat.
Some of the practices the California Department of Fish and Game and the Coarsegold RCD has implemented to improve Kinsman Flat habit are shown here.
- Livestock ponds provide water for the abundance of wildlife. Water is pumped into the pond from windmill and developed springs during the summer months.
- Overgrown brush was tagged for removal.
- Brush was removed and piled.
- Piles were selectively burned. Others left piled for quail and other small animals.
- Since clearing the overgrown brush, more plants are flourishing such as: Flannel Bush, Buckbrush, Pine, Mountain mahogany, Coffeeberry, Gooseberry, Elderberry, Blue oak, Black oak and Poison oak.
Kinsman Flat is now an area abundant with wildlife such as bear, bobcat, deer, hawk, lion, quail, rabbit, squirrel, wild boar, wild turkey and wildflowers. This abundance provides an opportunity for both photographer and hunters. Located in the middle of the winter range, this area serves as a holding area in the spring for deer wintering below Lion’s Point along the San Joaquin River and down to the Long Ridge area. Large numbers of deer can usually be observed here in the early spring feeding on forbs and grasses in the large open areas.
Cost share and donations for this project were provided by: California Deer Association, California Department of Fish and Game, Coarsegold Resource Conservation District, Madera County Fish & Game Fines, National Wild Turkey Federation and Natural Resources Conservation Service.
