Bair Island Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Bair Island Ecological Reserve is 1,932 acres of CDFW land in San Mateo County, in CDFW's Bay Delta Region, one of the ecological reserves where Title 14, Section 630(d) makes hunting a designated public use. CDFW's rule for it: Waterfowl hunting only. It lies in deer Zone A, where CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: CDFW's 2026-2027 land use regulations (updated July 1, 2026). Boundary and acres: CDFW. Zones: CDFW. Land around it: CPAD 2026a.
CDFW landNational wildlife refugeBair Island ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,932 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 3, Bay Delta Region |
| County | San Mateo |
| Hunting | Waterfowl hunting only. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Redwood City (next to it), San Carlos (2 mi) and Foster City (2 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Bair Island Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Waterfowl hunting only.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to all visitor use/access from February 15 through May 20. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 630. CDFW's page for Bair Island Ecological Reserve has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Bair Island Ecological Reserve?
Bair Island is composed of three islands: Inner, Middle and Outer, totaling approximately 3,000 acres of former salt ponds once owned by Cargill. Approximately 2,000 acres are within the Bair Island Ecological Reserve on the Middle and Outer islands. The remainder of the islands are part of the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. A large portion of the islands have been restored to tidal wetlands.
CDFW lists waterfowl hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Bair Island Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Bair Island Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Bair Island ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 1,932 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Bair Island Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 4,129 acres of national wildlife refuge and 1,869 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Bair Island Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: Located in Redwood City, east of Hwy 101 in San Francisco Bay. Boat launch is located off Seaport Blvd in the Yacht Harbor near the Port of Redwood City.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 92, US 101, CA 84, I-280 and CA 82. Nearest towns: Redwood City (next to it), San Carlos (2 miles), Foster City (2 miles) and North Fair Oaks (2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Bair Island Ecological Reserve?
Yes, within CDFW's limits in Section 630(d): Waterfowl hunting only. Hunting is prohibited on any ecological reserve that section does not list.
Can you camp on Bair Island Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Bair Island Ecological Reserve in?
All of it is in deer Zone A, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in Zone A in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Bair Island Ecological Reserve?
Redwood City (next to it), San Carlos (2 miles) and Foster City (2 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
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Where these facts come from
- Rules: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations.
- Boundary and acres: CDFW public access lands (BIOS ds3077); CDFW, Bair Island Ecological Reserve.
- Zones: CDFW BIOS zone layers. Surrounding public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a.
- Deer harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.