Antelope Valley Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Antelope Valley Wildlife Area is 5,721 acres of CDFW land in Sierra County, in CDFW's North Central Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type C: open daily for hunting all legal species without a hunting pass, except where CDFW's area rules say otherwise. It lies in deer Zone X7a, where CDFW estimates 52 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.
National forestBLMCDFW landAntelope Valley WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 5,721 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| County | Sierra |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Closures | Closed to hunting from February 1 through June 30. |
| Camping | No motorhomes or camp trailers permitted. |
| Deer zone | Zone X7a |
| Nearest towns | Sierra Brooks (next to it), Loyalton (next to it) and Sierraville (3 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Antelope Valley Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Antelope Valley WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | No motorhomes or camp trailers permitted. Camping allowed only from May 1 through October 31. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to hunting from February 1 through June 30. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Antelope Valley Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Antelope Valley Wildlife Area?
The approximately 5,600 acre Antelope Valley Wildlife Area includes the Antelope Valley and Merry-Go-Round units which are largely covered by sagebrush interspersed with rabbit brush and bitterbrush at the lower elevations. The upper slopes are populated by Jeffrey pine, juniper, mountain mahogany, and chaparral plants. It is considered prime deer winter range. Common game species include Rocky Mountain mule deer and mountain quail. Other common species include the golden mantled ground squirrel, Beechey ground squirrel, red-tailed hawk, Cooper's hawk, Stellar's jay, leopard frog and rattlesnake.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, bear, rabbit, tree squirrel, wild turkey, quail, grouse, and dove may be present.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, camping and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Antelope Valley Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Antelope Valley Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Antelope Valley WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X7a | 5,721 | 52 deer taken in 2025, 23.4% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to 18 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Antelope Valley WA: hunt A-13 (Zone X-7a Archery Hunt) and hunt J-19 (Zone X-7a Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Antelope Valley Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 33,292 acres of national forest, 8,072 acres of CDFW land and 1,872 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to Antelope Valley Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: For the Merry-Go-Round Unit, access is directly off Highway 49, west of Antelope Valley Road and the town of Loyalton; the Antelope Valley Unit can be reached by taking County Road 855 (Antelope Valley Road) south from Highway 49 just west of Loyalton.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 49 and CA 89. Nearest towns: Sierra Brooks (next to it), Loyalton (next to it), Sierraville (3 miles) and Calpine (5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Antelope Valley Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Type C areas are open daily for all legal species, unless CDFW's area rules say otherwise. CDFW's closure: Closed to hunting from February 1 through June 30.
Can you camp on Antelope Valley Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: No motorhomes or camp trailers permitted. Camping allowed only from May 1 through October 31. Where camping is allowed, a visitor may stay up to seven nights in a row and fourteen nights a year (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Antelope Valley Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X7a, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 52 deer were taken in Zone X7a in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Antelope Valley Wildlife Area?
Sierra Brooks (next to it), Loyalton (next to it) and Sierraville (3 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, Antelope Valley Wildlife Area.
- 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.