Deer Zone A: California deer hunting by the numbers
Deer Zone A covers 35,615 square miles of Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Ventura and Yolo counties. 11.8% of it is national forest, BLM or CDFW land, most of that national forest (1,492,270 acres), by the California Protected Areas Database (CPAD 2026a). CDFW estimates hunters took 9,184 deer in Zone A in 2025 (9,179 bucks); CDFW puts hunter success at 34.2%. The 2026 general season runs August 8 to September 20.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: CDFW's deer harvest reports, 2020 to 2025. Seasons and quotas: CDFW's approved 2026 seasons and the 2026-2027 regulations. Land: CPAD 2026a.
National forestBLMCDFW landNational wildlife refugeNational Park ServiceState parkOther state or federal landZone ANeighboring zonesLake or riverHighway
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
|---|---|
| Counties | Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Ventura and Yolo |
| Size | 22,793,540 acres (35,615 square miles) |
| Public land | 11.8% (2,693,228 acres) |
| Tag quota, 2026 | 65,000 |
| Archery season, 2026 | July 11 to August 2 |
| General season, 2026 | August 8 to September 20 |
| Bag limit | One buck, forked horn or better, per tag. |
| Deer taken, 2025 | 9,184 (CDFW estimate) |
| Hunter success, 2025 | 34.2% (CDFW) |
| Towns in and near it | San Jose, Fremont, Stockton, Sand City and Williams |
How many deer are taken in Zone A?
CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in Zone A in 2025, up from 8,348 in 2024. Hunters reported 4,993 of them; CDFW adds an estimate for the 45.6% of tag holders who did not report.
| Year | Tag quota | Tags issued | Bucks reported | Does reported | Deer taken (CDFW estimate) | Hunter success (CDFW) | Tag holders who did not report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 65,000 | not printed | 4,990 | 1 | 9,184 | 34.2% | 45.6% |
| 2024 | 65,000 | not printed | 5,226 | 3 | 8,348 | 30.4% | 37.4% |
| 2023 | 65,000 | not printed | 4,924 | 0 | 7,148 | 25.8% | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 65,000 | 28,538 | 5,945 | 0 | 8,704 | 30.5% | 31.7% |
| 2021 | 65,000 | 28,777 | 5,469 | 1 | 7,921 | 27.5% | 30.9% |
| 2020 | 65,000 | 29,435 | 5,266 | 1 | 7,379 | 25.1% | 28.6% |
Source: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025), Table 1. CDFW's hunter success is its estimated deer kill divided by tags issued. Harvest on Private Lands Management and Section 554 landowner programs is not included.
What size are the bucks taken in Zone A?
Of the 4,975 bucks hunters reported with points recorded in 2025, 613 (12.3%) had 4 points or more and 1,562 had 3 points. CDFW counts antler points on one side.
| Year | Unit | Spike | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points or more | Bucks with points recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | South-110 | 1 (0%) | 1,465 (60.1%) | 707 (29%) | 230 (9.4%) | 35 (1.4%) | 2,438 |
| 2025 | North-160 | 1 (0%) | 1,333 (52.5%) | 855 (33.7%) | 316 (12.5%) | 32 (1.3%) | 2,537 |
| 2024 | South-110 | 1 (0%) | 1,476 (60.3%) | 738 (30.1%) | 216 (8.8%) | 18 (0.7%) | 2,449 |
| 2024 | North-160 | 1 (0%) | 1,495 (54.2%) | 896 (32.5%) | 323 (11.7%) | 44 (1.6%) | 2,759 |
| 2023 | South-110 | 1 (0%) | 1,420 (59.7%) | 721 (30.3%) | 210 (8.8%) | 25 (1.1%) | 2,377 |
| 2023 | North-160 | 0 (0%) | 1,359 (53.5%) | 834 (32.8%) | 312 (12.3%) | 35 (1.4%) | 2,540 |
Source: CDFW 2025 California Deer Harvest Statistics, Table 2 (reported deer kill by antler class), and the two years before it. Shares are of the bucks reported with points recorded.
When is deer season in Zone A in 2026?
Archery only: July 11 to August 2. General season: August 8 to September 20, 2026. CDFW's rule for the season: The season in Zone A-South Unit 110 and Zone A-North Unit 160 shall open on the second Saturday in August and extend for 44 consecutive days.
Other CDFW deer hunts held in Zone A in 2026:
| Hunt | Name | 2026 dates | 2026 tags | Deer taken, 2025 | Hunter success, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-24 | Monterey Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt | October 10 to November 8 | 100 | 28 | 28.6% |
| MA-3 | Santa Barbara Muzzleloading Rifle/Archery Buck Hunt | November 28 to December 13 | 150 | 20 | 13.4% |
| A-32 | Ventura/Los Angeles Late Season Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt | November 14 to December 6 | 250 | 23 | 9.2% |
| M-7 | Ventura Muzzleloading Rifle Either-Sex Deer Hunt | November 28 to December 13 | 150 | 17 | 11.3% |
| G-21 | Ventana Wilderness Buck Hunt | November 14 to December 6 | 25 | 5 | 21.7% |
| MA-1 | San Luis Obispo Muzzleloading Rifle/Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt | November 28 to December 13 | 150 | 17 | 11.9% |
| J-10 | Fort Hunter Liggett Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt | Oct 3-4, Oct 10-12 | 30 | 26 | 86.7% |
| A-33 | Fort Hunter Liggett Late Season Archery Either- Sex Deer Hunt (Hunt Day Restrictions) | October 3 to November 11 | 50 | 13 | 26% |
| G-11 | Vandenberg Either-Sex Deer Hunt (Military Only) | August 31 to October 1 | 85 | not in the report | |
| A-25 | Lake Sonoma Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt (Hunt Day Restrictions) | October 3 to 26 | 35 | 7 | 22.6% |
| J-1 | Lake Sonoma Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt | November 7 to 8 | 25 | 9 | 36% |
Harvest of these hunts: CDFW 2025 California Deer Harvest Statistics, Table 1, for the whole hunt, which may reach past Zone A.
Deer taken in Zone A in 2025 on other hunts' tags, as hunters reported them: hunt A-24: 18, hunt A-25: 4, hunt A-32: 11, hunt A-33: 8, hunt G-21: 3, hunt J-1: 6, hunt J-10: 17 and hunt MA-1: 11.
Source: CDFW Approved 2026 Deer Seasons and CDFW 2026-2027 California Mammal Hunting Regulations, page 40 (Title 14, Section 360). CDFW can change a season: check CDFW's deer zone page before you go.
How much public land is in Zone A?
11.8% of Zone A is national forest, BLM or CDFW land: 2,693,228 of its 22,793,540 acres. The largest pieces are Los Padres National Forest (1,304,772 acres), Carrizo Plain National Monument (214,310 acres) and Mendocino National Forest (185,885 acres).
| Manager | Acres | Share of Zone A |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 1,492,270 | 6.5% |
| BLM | 919,862 | 4% |
| State park | 385,265 | 1.7% |
| CDFW land | 281,096 | 1.2% |
| Other state or federal land | 203,518 | 0.9% |
| National Park Service | 139,829 | 0.6% |
| National wildlife refuge | 121,352 | 0.5% |
Measured by FilledTag inside CDFW's zone boundary from California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a. "Public land" on this page means national forest, BLM and CDFW land, the three managers whose ground is open to hunting under their own rules. National Park Service land, state parks and most other public ground are listed but not counted: hunting there is closed or limited. Land held by cities, counties, districts and private groups is not shown.
CDFW wildlife areas and ecological reserves in Zone A: Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve (40,249 acres here), Knoxville Wildlife Area (20,743 acres here), Semitropic Ecological Reserve (17,557 acres here), Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (16,601 acres here), Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area (15,251 acres here), Grizzly Island Wildlife Area (12,860 acres here), Mendota Wildlife Area (12,103 acres here), San Pablo Bay Wildlife Area (10,854 acres here), Lake Sonoma Wildlife Area (8,554 acres here), North Grasslands Wildlife Area (7,600 acres here), Allensworth Ecological Reserve (6,471 acres here) and Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area (6,402 acres here), and 54 smaller ones.
Which elk and pronghorn zones overlap Zone A?
Elk zones: Gabilan elk zone (2,397,583 acres inside Zone A), La Panza elk zone (1,656,761 acres inside Zone A), Central Coast elk zone (1,416,347 acres inside Zone A), Mendocino elk zone (994,019 acres inside Zone A), Santa Clara elk zone (766,314 acres inside Zone A), San Luis Reservoir elk zone (502,020 acres inside Zone A), Bear Valley elk zone (497,592 acres inside Zone A), Alameda elk zone (275,913 acres inside Zone A), Cache Creek elk zone (178,103 acres inside Zone A), Fort Hunter Liggett elk zone (162,101 acres inside Zone A), Lake Pillsbury elk zone (155,874 acres inside Zone A), East Park Reservoir elk zone (106,595 acres inside Zone A) and Grizzly Island elk zone (8,983 acres inside Zone A). Elk and pronghorn tags are drawn in CDFW's big game drawing, apart from a few fundraising tags.
How do you get to Zone A?
Numbered highways through it, longest stretch first: US 101, CA 1, I-5, CA 33, CA 99 and CA 41. 549 Census places are inside it, among them San Jose, Fremont, Stockton, Oakland, Thousand Oaks and Hayward. Nearby: Sand City (on the line), Williams (on the line), Maricopa (on the line) and Modesto (on the line).
Which deer zones border Zone A?
Zone A touches 14 other deer zones. Their size, public land and CDFW's 2025 numbers:
| Zone | Square miles | Public land | Deer taken, 2025 | Hunter success, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone B1 | 6,187 | 43.4% | 3,992 | 32.5% |
| Zone B3 | 1,056 | 41.2% | 1,222 | 32.5% |
| Zone B4 | 934 | 13.3% | 296 | 32.5% |
| Zone D3 | 3,778 | 37.7% | 2,509 | 19% |
| Zone D4 | 2,275 | 22.2% | 905 | 19% |
| Zone D5 | 4,815 | 27.6% | 2,484 | 19% |
| Zone D6 | 5,021 | 29.4% | 1,119 | 11.2% |
| Zone D7 | 3,762 | 50.6% | 1,300 | 14.5% |
| Zone D8 | 5,794 | 26.4% | 916 | 16.2% |
| Zone D9 | 1,457 | 47.7% | 342 | 17.1% |
| Zone D10 | 1,379 | 2.4% | 241 | 36.9% |
| Zone D11 | 2,540 | 44.8% | 622 | 13.8% |
| Zone D13 | 1,305 | 60.4% | 372 | 13.7% |
| Zone D15 | 3,257 | 7.9% | 109 | 14.8% |
Questions hunters ask
How many deer tags are there for Zone A?
CDFW's 2026 tag quota is 65,000. In 2025 the quota was 65,000 and CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken here.
What is the hunter success rate in Zone A?
CDFW puts 2025 hunter success at 34.2%. CDFW works it out as its estimated deer kill divided by tags issued. In 2024 it was 30.4%.
When does deer season open in Zone A in 2026?
Archery season runs July 11 to August 2, 2026, and the general season August 8 to September 20. CDFW's rule: The season in Zone A-South Unit 110 and Zone A-North Unit 160 shall open on the second Saturday in August and extend for 44 consecutive days.
How much public land is in Zone A?
11.8% of Zone A, 2,693,228 acres, is national forest, BLM or CDFW land by CPAD 2026a. The largest pieces: Los Padres National Forest (1,304,772 acres), Carrizo Plain National Monument (214,310 acres) and Mendocino National Forest (185,885 acres).
Which CDFW lands are in Zone A?
Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve (40,249 acres here), Knoxville Wildlife Area (20,743 acres here), Semitropic Ecological Reserve (17,557 acres here), Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (16,601 acres here) and Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area (15,251 acres here), and 61 more, by CDFW's land boundaries.
CDFW's boundary of Zone A
South Unit 110: In those portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Tulare and Ventura counties within a line beginning at the intersection of Highway 99 and the San Joaquin-Sacramento county line at Dry Creek; south on Highway 99 to Highway 166 in Kern County; west on Highway 166 to Highway 33; south on Highway 33 to Sespe Creek; east and south along Sespe Creek to Highway 126; east on Highway 126 to Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 and 405 to Interstate 10; west on Interstate 10 to the Pacific Ocean; north on the Pacific Ocean coastline to the San Mateo-San Francisco county line; east on the San Mateo-San Francisco county line to the Alameda county line; north on the Alameda-San Francisco county line to the Contra Costa-San Francisco county line; northwest on Contra Costa-San Francisco county line to the Contra Costa-Marin county line; northeast on the Contra Costa-Marin county line to the Contra Costa-Solano county line in San Pablo Bay; east on the Contra Costa-Solano county line and the Sacramento River to the confluence of the San Joaquin River and Sacramento-Contra Costa county line; east on the Sacramento-Contra Costa county line and San Joaquin River to the confluence of the Mokelumne River and San Joaquin-Sacramento county line; northeast on the San Joaquin-Sacramento county line and Mokelumne River to the confluence of Dry Creek; east on the San Joaquin-Sacramento county line and Dry Creek to the point of beginning at Highway 99. North Unit 160: In those portions of Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo within a line beginning at the junction of the mouth of Hardy Creek (Mendocino County) and the Pacific Ocean; east along Hardy Creek to Highway 1; north along Highway 1 to Highway 101; south along Highway 101 to Commercial Avenue in the town of Willits; east on Commercial Avenue to the Hearst-Willits Road (County Road 306); north and east on the Hearst-Willits Road to the Main Eel River; southeast on the Main Eel River to Lake Pillsbury at Scott Dam; southeast along the west shore of Lake Pillsbury and the Rice Fork of the Eel River to Forest Service Road M-10; east on Forest Service Road M-10 to Forest Service Road 17N16; east on Forest Service Road 17N16 to Forest Service Road M-10; east on Forest Service Road M-10 to Letts Valley-Fouts Spring Road; east on the Letts Valley-Fouts Spring Road to the Elk Creek-Stonyford Road (County Road 306); north on the Elk Creek-Stonyford Road to the Glenn-Colusa county line; east along the Glenn-Colusa County line to Interstate 5; Interstate 5 south to Highway 99 in the City of Sacramento; Highway 99 south to the Sacramento/ San Joaquin County line at Dry Creek, west along the Sacramento/San Joaquin County line and Dry Creek to the confluence with the Mokelumne River, southwest on the Sacramento/San Joaquin County line and Mokelumne River to the confluence with the San Joaquin River and Sacramento/Contra Costa County line, west on the Sacramento/Contra Costa County line and San Joaquin River to the confluence of the Sacramento River and Solano/Contra Costa County line, west on the Sacramento River and Solano/Contra Costa County line to the Marin County line in San Pablo Bay, southwest on the Marin/Contra Costa and Marin/San Francisco county lines to the North Peninsula shoreline near the Golden Gate Bridge, west on the shoreline to the Pacific Ocean coastline, northwest on the Pacific Ocean coastline to the point of beginning.
From CDFW 2026-2027 California Mammal Hunting Regulations, page 40, Title 14, Section 360.
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Where these numbers come from
- Harvest, quotas, hunter success and antler classes: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
- 2026 seasons and quotas: CDFW Approved 2026 Deer Seasons; boundary, bag limit and season rule: CDFW 2026-2027 California Mammal Hunting Regulations.
- Public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a. Zone boundary: CDFW deer hunt zones (BIOS ds342, Title 14 Section 360).
- Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Numbers are copied from CDFW, CPAD and the Census Bureau, or measured from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.
California hunting CDFW Region 4 Zone B1 Zone B3 Zone B4 Zone D3 Zone D4 Zone D5 Zone D6 Zone D7 Zone D8 Zone D9 Zone D10 Zone D11 Zone D13 Zone D15