Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve: hunting rules and map
Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve is 971 acres of CDFW land in Solano 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 hunting rule for it is below. 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 landOther state or federal landCalhoun Cut ERDeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 971 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 3, Bay Delta Region |
| County | Solano |
| Hunting | Waterfowl allowed only from a boat on the waters within the reserve that are accessible only from Lindsey Slough. There are no launch sites on the reserve. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Rio Vista (7 mi), Elmira (8 mi) and Vacaville (11 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve?
Section 630(d): Waterfowl allowed only from a boat on the waters within the reserve that are accessible only from Lindsey Slough. There are no launch sites on the reserve.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | The land portions of the reserve are closed to all visitor use/ access. The navigable portions of Calhoun Cut and associated sloughs are accessible only by boat from Lindsey Slough. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 630. CDFW's page for Calhoun Cut 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 Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve?
Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1993. There are at least three main habitat types present on the approximately 1,200-acre reserve: valley riparian, valley needlegrass grassland, and northern claypan vernal pools. The most apparent type of wildlife use is by ducks, primarily mallards, geese and wading birds wintering in the rich freshwater marshlands located on the property and feasting on seasonal invertebrate populations in the vernal pools. These invertebrates include federally-listed species of fairy and tadpole shrimp.
Waterfowl hunting and fishing is only allowed from a boat on waters wihtin the reserve that are accessed from Lindsey Slough.
CDFW lists waterfowl hunting for the area, and also fishing.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: Boat Access.only. from Lindsey Slough
From CDFW's page for Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the reserve alone.
| Zone | Acres of Calhoun Cut ER in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 971 | 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 Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,219 acres of CDFW land and 457 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve?
CDFW's directions: access only by boat from Lindsey Slough .
CDFW's location note: 15 miles south of Dixon on Highway 113. Highways within 8 miles: CA 12, CA 113, CA 84 and CA 220. Nearest towns: Rio Vista (7 miles), Elmira (8 miles), Vacaville (11 miles) and Suisun City (11 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve?
Yes, within CDFW's limits in Section 630(d): Waterfowl allowed only from a boat on the waters within the reserve that are accessible only from Lindsey Slough. There are no launch sites on the reserve. Hunting is prohibited on any ecological reserve that section does not list.
Can you camp on Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve?
No. Camping is prohibited on all CDFW ecological reserves (Section 550(p)(4)).
Which deer zone is Calhoun Cut 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 Calhoun Cut Ecological Reserve?
Rio Vista (7 miles), Elmira (8 miles) and Vacaville (11 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, Calhoun Cut 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.