Outdoor Ethics

Birding/Ethics/Hiking & Biking/
Horseback Riding/ Hunting/Tours/ Wildflowers

While visiting your National Monument, please remember to...      "Leave no Trace"

The Carrizo Plain is a grand and glorious place. Please help us in our efforts to maintain the integrity of the biological, cultural and historical resources found here. Please read and practice these "Leave no Trace" guidelines.

Plan Ahead and Prepare:

• Get information about the CPNM, your hunt area or travel route from any of the Managing Partners (see home page for contact information), or the Education (visitor) Center.
• Start your CPNM visit with a full tank of gas.
• Prepare for bad weather and unsafe road conditions with extra food, water, clothing, first aid kit and signal mirror.
• Respect private and public road closures.
• Avoid trespassing onto private lands within the CPNM.
• If you are hunting, know the California hunting regulations and abide by them.
• Bring maps and a compass, and know how to use them to find your way and location even if you have a GPS unit.

Vehicle Use and Travel:

• Appropriate vehicle use protects wildlife and wildlife habitat. The speed limit is 25 MPH except on County roads.
• Protect wildlife and livestock; leave gates as you find them.
• Don't operate motorized vehicles off designated travel routes. A list of open routes is available from the BLM.
• Prevent damage to roads and vegetation; avoid travel when conditions are muddy.

On the Trail:

• Walk on established trails when possible.
• Keep bicycles on trails or roads olny.
• Prevent erosion and trail widening by using the existing tread surface.
• Don't shortcut switchbacks.
• Hunters - drag any gut piles, skins, etc. well away from trails and highly visible and frequented areas. Leave in shrubbery or under trees when possible to prevent raptors and condors from ingesting lead fragments.

At Camp:

• A good campsite is found, not made.
• Place kitchen areas, tents and stock on areas where obvious signs of prior use exist. If outside of a developed campground, leave vehicles along the edge of roadway; do not drive to your chosen camp site.
• Camp at least 200 yards away from water sources.
• Camp only in developed campgrounds or in designated camping areas.
• Hunters, please do not leave gut piles or other animal parts in campgrounds.

Pack it In, Pack it Out:

• Pack out everything you brought in with you: spent brass, shotgun shells, cigarette butts, etc.
• Protect your food from animals by storing rations securely.
• Keep the wild in wildlife; don't bury food or leave it behind.

Properly Dispose of Human Waste:

• Use established restroom facilities when possible. Check kiosks and bulletinboards for locations within the Monument.
• Bury human waste in catholes 4" - 8" deep at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole. Pack out all toilet paper and dispose of properly.

Leave What You Find:

• If you alter an area in any way, restore its natural appearance before leaving.
• Leave historical or cultural artifacts as you find them. It's the law.
• Signs are expensive. Please don't use them to sight firearms.
• Many people visit the CPNM for the scenery and quiet they find there. Target practice is illegal within the CPNM.

Minimize Use and Impact of Fires:

• Stoves are the best option. Campfires, fire rings and wood collection can scar the CPNM's beauty and destroy habitat.
• If you must build a fire, use an established fire ring.
• Bring your own wood with you. Do not burn plastics, glass or cans. Haul your trash out with you.
• Obtain a campfire permit before building a fire outside of a designated campground. Permits are available from the visitor center, a ranger or the Bakersfield BLM office.