Eel River Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Eel River Wildlife Area is 2,348 acres of CDFW land in Humboldt 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. CDFW limits hunting here to: Waterfowl, coots, snipe, and pheasant only. It lies in deer Zone B1, where CDFW estimates 3,992 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.
BLMCDFW landNational wildlife refugeState parkOther state or federal landEel River WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 2,348 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Humboldt |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coots, snipe, and pheasant only. |
| Closures | Portions of the area are closed to vehicle entry from March 1 through September 15. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone B1, Zone B4 |
| Elk zone | Northwestern |
| Nearest towns | Loleta (next to it), Ferndale (next to it) and Fields Landing (4 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Eel River Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Eel River WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Off-highway vehicles | Whole area | Off-highway vehicles are allowed only for commercially licensed anglers who are utilizing the wave-slope for fishing access. (A) Within the Ocean Ranch Unit, motorized vehicles are only permitted on the sand road and within designated parking areas. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the wave-slope during snowy plover nesting season March 1 through September 15 without written permission from the department. Off-leash dogs are prohibited on the wave-slope and/or in signed exclusion zones within the Ocean Ranch Unit during the snowy plover nesting season March 1 through September 15. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Portions of the area are closed to vehicle entry from March 1 through September 15. Cannibal Island Unit is closed to all visitor use from the Monday following the end of youth hunting day (subsection 502(e)(1)(B) (5) of these regulations) through April 1. No dogs off leash on the wave-slope and/or in signed exclusion zones within the Ocean Ranch Unit during the snowy plover nesting season March 1 through September 15. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, coots, snipe, and pheasant only. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Eel River 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 Eel River Wildlife Area?
Consisting of a complex of property units situated along California's northern coast, Eel River Wildlife Area contains coastal wetlands, salt marsh, and one of the largest riparian forests in the region. Waterfowl, shorebirds and birds of prey frequent the area, along with deer and river otters. Popular activities here include hunting, fishing, hiking and birdwatching.
CDFW lists upland game birds and waterfowl hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, hiking trails and fishing.
From CDFW's page for Eel River Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Eel River Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Eel River WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone B1 | 1,908 | 3,992 deer taken in 2025, 32.5% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 25 |
| Deer Zone B4 | 438 | 296 deer taken in 2025, 32.5% hunter success; 2026 general season August 22 to September 27 |
| Northwestern elk zone | 2,348 | 20 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Eel River WA: hunt M-11 (Northwestern California Muzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Eel River Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 3,322 acres of CDFW land, 2,573 acres of national wildlife refuge, 240 acres of BLM land and 75 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Eel River Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: US 101, CA 211, CA 345 and CA 36. Nearest towns: Loleta (next to it), Ferndale (next to it), Fields Landing (4 miles) and Humboldt Hill (4 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Eel River Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, coots, snipe, and pheasant only. CDFW's closure: Portions of the area are closed to vehicle entry from March 1 through September 15. Cannibal Island Unit is closed to all visitor use from the Monday following the end of youth hunting day (subsection 502(e)(1)(B) (5) of these regulations) through April 1. No dogs off leash on the wave-slope and/or in signed exclusion zones within the Ocean Ranch Unit during the snowy plover nesting season March 1 through September 15.
Can you camp on Eel River Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Eel River Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Eel River Wildlife Area in?
Zone B1 (1,908 acres) and Zone B4 (438 acres), by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 3,992 deer were taken in Zone B1 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Eel River Wildlife Area?
Loleta (next to it), Ferndale (next to it) and Fields Landing (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, Eel River 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.