Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area is 6,848 acres of CDFW land in San Diego County, in CDFW's South Coast 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: Crow, coyote, upland game birds, and resident small game only. It lies in deer Zone D16, where CDFW estimates 322 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 landNational wildlife refugeHollenbeck Canyon WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 6,848 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 5, South Coast Region |
| County | San Diego |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Crow, coyote, upland game birds, and resident small game only. |
| Closures | Hunting is allowed in designated areas only. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone D16 |
| Nearest towns | Jamul (next to it), Rancho San Diego (5 mi) and Crest (6 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Hollenbeck Canyon 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 | Hunting is allowed in designated areas only. Closed to hunting February 1 through August 31, except for crow hunting, which is allowed after January 31 until the end of the crow season in designated area(s) only. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Crow, coyote, upland game birds, and resident small game only. |
| 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 Hollenbeck Canyon 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 Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area?
The area of Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area south of San Diego was formerly used for cattle ranching. Today, it is maintained as a wildlife corridor between the Jamul Mountains to the north and Otay Mountain to the south. Upland bird hunting and wildlife viewing are the most common activies here.
This property exists adjacent to the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve. Both properties are administered by CDFW's South Coast Region.
From CDFW's page for Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Hollenbeck Canyon WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D16 | 6,848 | 322 deer taken in 2025, 10.7% hunter success; 2026 general season October 24 to November 22 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Hollenbeck Canyon WA: hunt G-13 (San Diego Antlerless Deer Hunt), hunt M-6 (San Diego Muzzleloading Rifle Either-Sex Deer Hunt) and hunt A-22 (San Diego Archery 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 Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 16,496 acres of CDFW land, 10,791 acres of BLM land, 5,562 acres of national wildlife refuge and 3,015 acres of national forest.
How do you get to Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From San Diego, proceed east on Highway 94 to Jamul. Continue on Highway 94 (Campo Road) for about 4.5 miles to Honey Springs Road. Turn left onto Honey Springs Road. A small, dirt parking area on the left provides for visitor day use.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 94, CA 54, CA 125 and I-8. Nearest towns: Jamul (next to it), Rancho San Diego (5 miles), Crest (6 miles) and Spring Valley (7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Crow, coyote, upland game birds, and resident small game only. CDFW's closure: Hunting is allowed in designated areas only. Closed to hunting February 1 through August 31, except for crow hunting, which is allowed after January 31 until the end of the crow season in designated area(s) only.
Can you camp on Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone D16, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 322 deer were taken in Zone D16 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area?
Jamul (next to it), Rancho San Diego (5 miles) and Crest (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, Hollenbeck Canyon 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.