Elk River Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Elk River Wildlife Area is 100 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, coot, and snipe 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 landElk River WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 100 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Humboldt |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. |
| Closures | 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. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone B1 |
| Elk zone | Northwestern |
| Nearest towns | Bayview (next to it), Humboldt Hill (2 mi) and Pine Hills (2 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Elk River Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Elk River WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | 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. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Elk 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 Elk River Wildlife Area?
The 104-acre Elk River Wildlife Area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1991. It consists of both coastal salt marsh and riparian wetlands. Tidal influence is evidenced by the occurrence of salt tolerant plants such as cordgrass and pickleweed in low spots. Among the mammals that can be seen are gray fox, coyote, mink, weasel, and river otter.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe may be present.
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
From CDFW's page for Elk River Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Elk River Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Elk River WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone B1 | 100 | 3,992 deer taken in 2025, 32.5% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 25 |
| Northwestern elk zone | 100 | 20 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Elk 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 Elk River Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,332 acres of national wildlife refuge, 834 acres of CDFW land and 343 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to Elk River Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Highway 101 just south of Eureka, turn east onto Elk River Road.
CDFW's location note: 2 miles south of Eureka, on the east side of Hwy 101. Highways within 8 miles: US 101, CA 255 and CA 345. Nearest towns: Bayview (next to it), Humboldt Hill (2 miles), Pine Hills (2 miles) and Fields Landing (2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Elk River Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. CDFW's closure: 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.
Can you camp on Elk River Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Elk River Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Elk River Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone B1, 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 Elk River Wildlife Area?
Bayview (next to it), Humboldt Hill (2 miles) and Pine Hills (2 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, Elk 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.