Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area is 1,358 acres of CDFW land in Colusa 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 D3, where CDFW estimates 2,509 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 refugeState parkOther state or federal landColusa Bypass WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,358 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| County | Colusa |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone D3 |
| Nearest towns | Colusa (2 mi), Meridian (6 mi) and Williams (10 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Colusa Bypass WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Colusa Bypass 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 Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area?
The approximately 1,200-acre Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area is mostly grasslands. Several rows of willows and cottonwood trees line the eastern edge of the property. This area plays a role in local flood management when excess water is diverted into the area from the Sacramento River during high flows in the winter. The area provides a significant amount of cover for mammals and both resident and migratory birds, and the property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1993.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Opportunities are mostly for upland game, including deer, pheasant, snipe, and dove.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Colusa Bypass WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D3 | 1,358 | 2,509 deer taken in 2025, 19% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to November 1 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,678 acres of CDFW land, 862 acres of national wildlife refuge, 359 acres of state park land and 125 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: ravel north from Colusa on River Road for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn east (right) on Laux Road and travel for 1.5 miles. Access is on the south side of Laux Road.
CDFW's location note: Approximately 3 miles northeast of Colusa. Highways within 8 miles: CA 45 and CA 20. Nearest towns: Colusa (2 miles), Meridian (6 miles), Williams (10 miles) and Grimes (11 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Colusa Bypass 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 Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone D3, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 2,509 deer were taken in Zone D3 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Colusa Bypass Wildlife Area?
Colusa (2 miles), Meridian (6 miles) and Williams (10 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, Colusa Bypass 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.