Cinder Flats Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Cinder Flats Wildlife Area is 730 acres of CDFW land in Shasta County, in CDFW's Northern 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 X4, where CDFW estimates 173 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 landOther state or federal landCinder Flats WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 730 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Shasta |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X4 |
| Elk zone | Northeastern |
| Pronghorn zone | Pronghorn Zone 5 (Big Valley) |
| Nearest towns | Cassel (2 mi), Fall River Mills (5 mi) and Johnson Park (6 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Cinder Flats Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Cinder Flats WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Cinder Flats Wildlife Area beyond those for every wildlife area (Sections 550 and 551).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Cinder Flats 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 Cinder Flats Wildlife Area?
The Cinder Flats Wildlife Area consists of 720 acres of pine and oak woodland, with open flats of juniper and sagebrush. This woodland is a nesting habitat for bald eagles and a winter range for black-tailed and mule deer. There are also excellent opportunities to see bears, mountain lions, badgers, and bobcats.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, rabbits, California and mountain quail, and dove may be present.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Cinder Flats Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Cinder Flats Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Cinder Flats WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X4 | 730 | 173 deer taken in 2025, 37.3% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to 18 |
| Northeastern elk zone | 730 | 26 elk taken in 2022 |
| Pronghorn Zone 5 (Big Valley) | 730 | 12 pronghorn taken in 2023 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Cinder Flats WA: hunt A-7 (Zone X-4 Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics; CDFW Pronghorn Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Cinder Flats Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 11,615 acres of BLM land, 11,020 acres of national forest, 729 acres of CDFW land and 635 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Cinder Flats Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Redding go 58 miles east on Highway 299, then 4 miles south on Cassel Road to town of Cassel, then east 2 miles on Cassel Fall River Road, then 2 miles north on dirt road.
CDFW's location note: About 10 air miles northeast of Burney, off Highway 299. Highways within 8 miles: CA 89 and CA 299. Nearest towns: Cassel (2 miles), Fall River Mills (5 miles), Johnson Park (6 miles) and McArthur (8 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Cinder Flats 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.
Can you camp on Cinder Flats Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Cinder Flats Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Cinder Flats Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X4, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 173 deer were taken in Zone X4 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Cinder Flats Wildlife Area?
Cassel (2 miles), Fall River Mills (5 miles) and Johnson Park (6 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, Cinder Flats 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.