Imperial Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Imperial Wildlife Area is 7,808 acres of CDFW land in Imperial County, in CDFW's Inland Deserts Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as a mix of types. It lies in deer Zone D19, where CDFW estimates 156 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 refugeOther state or federal landImperial WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 7,808 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | Imperial |
| Wildlife area type | a mix of types: Wister (Type A) and Finney-Ramer (Type C) management units |
| Closures | A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season. |
| Camping | Allowed only in designated area at Finney Lake. |
| Deer zone | Zone D19, Zone D12 |
| Nearest towns | Niland (2 mi), Brawley (5 mi) and Calipatria (5 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Imperial Wildlife Area?
Imperial Wildlife Area has units of different types: Wister (Type A) and Finney-Ramer (Type C) management units.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Finney-Ramer Unit | Allowed only in designated area at Finney Lake. |
| Camping | Wister Unit | Allowed only in designated area. Campers must obtain an entry permit pursuant to subsection 551(w)(3). No unattached trailers or tents allowed in the checking station parking lot. |
| Closures and restrictions | Finney-Ramer Unit | A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season. Waterfowl hunting allowed only from boats and islands. Closed to hunting from February 1 through June 30. |
| Closures and restrictions | Wister Unit | Closed to all non-hunting public uses from one week before the opening of waterfowl season through the end of waterfowl season, except for designated wildlife viewing sites and designated fishing areas. |
| Shoot days and hours in waterfowl season | Wister Unit | Pheasant, quail and rabbit hunting is allowed only on Mondays and Thursdays. Dove may be taken daily during the September dove season. After the September dove season, dove may be taken only on pheasant hunt days. Snipe may be taken only on waterfowl and pheasant hunt days. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Finney Ramer Unit | A daily entry permit and self-registration are required. Entry permits are available at self-registration booths at Finney and Ramer lakes on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Firearms | Finney-Ramer Unit | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| Additional hunting: Quail | Whole area | Allowed only on pheasant hunt days. Additional Hunter Opportunities on Type A and Type B Wildlife Areas Hunt Requirements |
| Additional hunting: Rabbit | Wister Unit | Allowed daily during the rabbit season except during the waterfowl season, when rabbits may be taken only on pheasant hunt days. |
| Additional hunting: Raccoon | Wister Unit | Allowed daily from August 1 through one week before opening of waterfowl 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 Imperial Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
Which hunt zones is Imperial Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Imperial WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D19 | 6,565 | 156 deer taken in 2025, 10.4% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to November 1 |
| Deer Zone D12 | 1,243 | 121 deer taken in 2025, 12.8% hunter success; 2026 general season November 7 to 29 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Imperial Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 6,428 acres of CDFW land, 3,915 acres of BLM land, 3,369 acres of national wildlife refuge and 2,093 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Imperial Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: CA 111, CA 78, US 111, CA 115 and CA 86. Nearest towns: Niland (2 miles), Brawley (5 miles), Calipatria (5 miles) and Westmorland (6 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Imperial Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as a mix of types. CDFW's closure: A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season. Waterfowl hunting allowed only from boats and islands. Closed to hunting from February 1 through June 30.
Can you camp on Imperial Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed only in designated area at Finney Lake. 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 Imperial Wildlife Area in?
Zone D19 (6,565 acres) and Zone D12 (1,243 acres), by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 156 deer were taken in Zone D19 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Imperial Wildlife Area?
Niland (2 miles), Brawley (5 miles) and Calipatria (5 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, Imperial 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.
California hunting CDFW Region 6 Deer Zone D19 Deer Zone D12