Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area is 2,988 acres of CDFW land in Plumas 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 X6b, where CDFW estimates 134 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 landCrocker Meadows WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 2,988 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| County | Plumas |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X6b |
| Nearest towns | Beckwourth (next to it), Lake Davis (2 mi) and Portola (4 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Crocker Meadows WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Crocker Meadows 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 Crocker Meadows 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 Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area?
The approximately 1,700-acre Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area provides ideal conditions for deer foraging and fawning. The area is mostly montane chaparral habitat dominated by sagebrush and bitterbrush. Pockets of black oak and yellow pine can be found at the lower elevations. At the upper elevations, wet meadow habitat is found in Crocker Meadow. Two seasonal streams drain the property. Common wildlife species include mule deer, mountain quail, jackrabbit, coyote, gray fox, raccoon, and a variety of hawks.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, pig, tree squirrel, waterfowl, 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 and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Crocker Meadows WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X6b | 2,988 | 134 deer taken in 2025, 47.7% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to 18 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Crocker Meadows WA: hunt A-12 (Zone X-6b Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 36,118 acres of national forest, 2,991 acres of CDFW land, 1,471 acres of BLM land and 68 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From the town of Beckwourth, take County Road 111 (Beckwourth Genesee Road) north to the South Unit of the Wildlife Area; to reach the North Unit, continue further north on County Road 111.
CDFW's location note: 5 miles east of Portola and three miles north of Beckwourth in the northwest corner of Sierra Valley. Highways within 8 miles: CA 70. Nearest towns: Beckwourth (next to it), Lake Davis (2 miles), Portola (4 miles) and Delleker (5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Crocker Meadows 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 Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X6b, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 134 deer were taken in Zone X6b in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area?
Beckwourth (next to it), Lake Davis (2 miles) and Portola (4 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, Crocker Meadows 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.