Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area is 2,135 acres of CDFW land in Modoc 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 X3b, where CDFW estimates 161 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 landFitzhugh Creek WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 2,135 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Modoc |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X3b |
| Elk zone | Northeastern |
| Pronghorn zone | Pronghorn Zone 3 (Likely Tables) |
| Nearest towns | Likely (10 mi), Alturas (11 mi) and Daphnedale Park (12 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Fitzhugh Creek WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Fitzhugh Creek 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 Fitzhugh Creek 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 Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area?
The approximately 2,100-acre Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area provides public access for hunting and fishing on excellent wetland, riparian, and riverine habitat. The area provides important winter and summer range for deer and antelope, as well as habitat for the Modoc sucker. Typical species which can be seen here include songbirds, upland game birds, and birds of prey. The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 2004.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer and upland game may be present.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
From CDFW's page for Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Fitzhugh Creek WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X3b | 2,135 | 161 deer taken in 2025, 34.5% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to 18 |
| Northeastern elk zone | 2,135 | 26 elk taken in 2022 |
| Pronghorn Zone 3 (Likely Tables) | 2,135 | 22 pronghorn taken in 2023 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Fitzhugh Creek WA: hunt A-6 (Zone X-3b 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 Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 28,568 acres of national forest, 21,067 acres of BLM land and 3,837 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: Highway 395 south of Alturas to Parker Creek Road (County Road 56) to Road 57 to Pine Creek Boulevard, past Pine Creek Wildlife Area.
CDFW's location note: 8 miles east of Highway 395, southeast of Alturas. Highways within 8 miles: US 395. Nearest towns: Likely (10 miles), Alturas (11 miles), Daphnedale Park (12 miles) and Eagleville (13 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Fitzhugh Creek 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 Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X3b, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 161 deer were taken in Zone X3b in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Fitzhugh Creek Wildlife Area?
Likely (10 miles), Alturas (11 miles) and Daphnedale Park (12 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, Fitzhugh Creek 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.