You'll be seeing people pretty regularly along the roads. I live just east of the zone and I get an over the counter tag for it every year.
A lot of road hunters in the area. I've been out to the Sherman Pass area and the Greenhorn Mtns, Sherman Pass area had more people.
Having stock, there is an old corral just east of Sherman Pass, a trail that heads down to the Kern runs through there, so you could ride in through there. There is an undeveloped campsite (no water, so bring what you need), half a dozen or so, there are usually a few guys camped there when I've been there.
You can catch the trail and head WNW, takes you down towards the river. It's been 3 years since I've been there, though, but I'll be heading out there this year for about a week before G38 opens.
You can also head up the west side of the Kern, towards Jerky Meadow. The fire(s) may have pushed some of the deer up that way.