Gray Lodge Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is 9,239 acres of CDFW land in Butte and Sutter counties, in CDFW's North Central Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type A: hunter access is restricted in waterfowl season and a hunting pass is needed. 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 landState parkGray Lodge WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 9,239 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| Counties | Butte and Sutter |
| Wildlife area type | Type A |
| Closures | Closed to all non-hunting uses from two weeks prior to opening of waterfowl season through one week after end of waterfowl season except those areas designated for wildlife viewing purposes. |
| Camping | Allowed only during waterfowl season. |
| Deer zone | Zone D3 |
| Nearest towns | Gridley (4 mi), Live Oak (5 mi) and Biggs (6 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Gray Lodge Wildlife Area?
As a Type A area, Gray Lodge WA needs a hunting pass bought in advance and exchanged for an entry permit in waterfowl season, with set shoot days (Section 551(e)).
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Allowed only during waterfowl season. Camp trailers or motorhomes may be placed in the designated camp trailer area no sooner than one week before the opening of waterfowl season and must be removed from the wildlife area no later than one week after the end of the regular waterfowl season. All campers, defined as a shell or shelter made to be mounted on a pickup truck must remain attached to a registered vehicle when on the area. All camp trailers and motorhomes must be registered at the checking station within one week of placement. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to all non-hunting uses from two weeks prior to opening of waterfowl season through one week after end of waterfowl season except those areas designated for wildlife viewing purposes. The west side of the area is closed to falconry. Dove hunting allowed only in designated areas. Pheasant and quail hunting only allowed during the pheasant opening weekend and subsequent waterfowl shoot days occurring during the general pheasant season. |
| Additional hunting: Deer | Whole area | Allowed only with a G-12 deer tag available through the big game drawing. |
| Additional hunting: Quail and rabbit | Whole area | Allowed only on waterfowl shoot days during the pheasant season. |
| Additional hunting: Turkey | Whole area | Allowed only through a special drawing during the spring season. |
| Lands pass | Whole area | Listed in section 551(w): a visitor must carry a valid Lands Pass, or a valid hunting or fishing license, to enter. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Gray Lodge 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 Gray Lodge Wildlife Area?
Located in central northern California, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area provides habitat to over 300 species of resident and migratory birds and mammals, including more than 1 million waterfowl every year. Seasonal hunting and fishing, wildlife viewing, nature trails and a taxidermy exhibit are among the popular attractions of this land.
Visitors must have a lands pass prior to arriving at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. See Entry Passes, below.
From CDFW's page for Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Gray Lodge WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D3 | 9,239 | 2,509 deer taken in 2025, 19% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to November 1 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Gray Lodge WA: hunt G-12 (Gray Lodge Shotgun Either-Sex Deer Hunt) and hunt J-16 (Bucks Mountain-Nevada City Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Gray Lodge Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 12,783 acres of CDFW land and 1,259 acres of state park land.
How do you get to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Highway 99 in Gridley, head west on Sycamore Street (Colusa Highway). West of Gridley, a county roadway "green line" leads to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area. Proceed 4.4 miles west on Colusa Highway, then turn south on Pennington Road for three miles. Turn Right on Rutherford Road at the entrance to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 99 and CA 162. Nearest towns: Gridley (4 miles), Live Oak (5 miles), Biggs (6 miles) and Princeton (9 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Gray Lodge Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type A. CDFW's closure: Closed to all non-hunting uses from two weeks prior to opening of waterfowl season through one week after end of waterfowl season except those areas designated for wildlife viewing purposes. The west side of the area is closed to falconry. Dove hunting allowed only in designated areas. Pheasant and quail hunting only allowed during the pheasant opening weekend and subsequent waterfowl shoot days occurring during the general pheasant season.
Can you camp on Gray Lodge Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed only during waterfowl season. Camp trailers or motorhomes may be placed in the designated camp trailer area no sooner than one week before the opening of waterfowl season and must be removed from the wildlife area no later than one week after the end of the regular waterfowl season. All campers, defined as a shell or shelter made to be mounted on a pickup truck must remain attached to a registered vehicle when on the area. All camp trailers and motorhomes must be registered at the checking station within one week of placement. Where camping is allowed, a visitor may stay up to seven nights in a row and fourteen nights a year (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Gray Lodge 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 Gray Lodge Wildlife Area?
Gridley (4 miles), Live Oak (5 miles) and Biggs (6 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, Gray Lodge 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.