Laguna Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Laguna Wildlife Area is 539 acres of CDFW land in Sonoma County, in CDFW's Bay Delta 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 moorhen only. It lies in deer Zone A, where CDFW estimates 9,184 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 landLaguna WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 539 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 3, Bay Delta Region |
| County | Sonoma |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coot, and moorhen only. |
| Closures | The Timber Hill, Blucher Creek, and Cooper Road units are closed to hunting. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Sebastopol (next to it), Graton (next to it) and Forestville (3 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Laguna Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Laguna 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 | The Timber Hill, Blucher Creek, and Cooper Road units are closed to hunting. Only the wetland portions of the Occidental Road Unit associated with the Laguna de Santa Rosa are open to hunting, and hunting is allowed only when the Laguna de Santa Rosa is navigable and the wetlands are accessible by boat. Foot or terrestrial access to the Occidental Road Unit is prohibited because there is no visitor right-of-way. Dogs are prohibited from March 2 through June 30. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Occidental Road Unit | Hunting is allowed only on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays and only during waterfowl season. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, coot, and moorhen only. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Laguna 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 Laguna Wildlife Area?
Laguna Wildlife Area, at 539 acres, is the second largest freshwater wetland complex in Northern California. This marsh wetland includes Mark West creek. Vernal pools can be found here.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Type C: Laguna Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas. Facilities: None
CDFW lists waterfowl hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
From CDFW's page for Laguna Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Laguna Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Laguna WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 539 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Laguna Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,425 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Laguna Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: US 101, CA 116, CA 12 and CA 1. Nearest towns: Sebastopol (next to it), Graton (next to it), Forestville (3 miles) and Fulton (4 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Laguna Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, coot, and moorhen only. CDFW's closure: The Timber Hill, Blucher Creek, and Cooper Road units are closed to hunting. Only the wetland portions of the Occidental Road Unit associated with the Laguna de Santa Rosa are open to hunting, and hunting is allowed only when the Laguna de Santa Rosa is navigable and the wetlands are accessible by boat. Foot or terrestrial access to the Occidental Road Unit is prohibited because there is no visitor right-of-way. Dogs are prohibited from March 2 through June 30.
Can you camp on Laguna Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Laguna Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Laguna Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone A, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in Zone A in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Laguna Wildlife Area?
Sebastopol (next to it), Graton (next to it) and Forestville (3 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
Get a California hunt plan when they open
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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, Laguna 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.