Los Banos Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Los Banos Wildlife Area is 6,359 acres of CDFW land in Merced County, in CDFW's 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 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 landNational wildlife refugeLos Banos WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 6,359 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Merced |
| Wildlife area type | Type A |
| Closures | Closed to all visitor use from September 15 until the opening of waterfowl season. |
| Camping | Allowed only in the main office parking area, and only during waterfowl season. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Los Banos (3 mi), Volta (5 mi) and Dos Palos Y (6 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Los Banos Wildlife Area?
As a Type A area, Los Banos 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 in the main office parking area, and only during waterfowl season. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to all visitor use from September 15 until the opening of waterfowl season. Closed to non-hunting uses during the waterfowl season on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season, except on days when only upland game may be taken, and on special “youth only” waterfowl hunt days when there shall be no restrictions on the number of shot shells taken into the field. Dogs are prohibited in the interpretive viewing area. Closed to deer hunting except with a department-issued entry permit. Deer may be taken with shotgun and slug only (see subsection 353(d)). |
| Additional hunting | Whole area | Raccoon, rabbit, deer, and quail Self-registration is required for raccoon and rabbit hunting. Raccoon may not be taken during waterfowl season. A department-issued entry permit is required to hunt deer. Eurasian collared dove hunting allowed during mourning dove open season. Snipe hunting allowed only on waterfowl shoot days during the general 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 Los Banos 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 Los Banos Wildlife Area?
Visitors must have a lands pass prior to arriving at Los Banos Wildlife Area. See Visiting Los Banos- Entry Passes, below.
Located in the San Joaquin Valley, the Los Banos Wildlife Area is approximately 6,200 acres of wetland habitat supporting over 200 bird species, as well as other wildlife such as mule deer, beaver, and muskrats. Wildlife viewing, birdwatching, hunting and fishing are popular activities here.
CDFW lists big game, small game, upland game birds and waterfowl hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
From CDFW's page for Los Banos Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Los Banos Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Los Banos WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 6,359 | 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 Los Banos Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 10,094 acres of CDFW land and 6,786 acres of national wildlife refuge.
How do you get to Los Banos Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: 18110 Henry Miller Avenue, Los Banos, CA 93635 (About 40 miles from Modesto). Highways within 8 miles: CA 33, CA 152 and CA 165. Nearest towns: Los Banos (3 miles), Volta (5 miles), Dos Palos Y (6 miles) and Dos Palos (8 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Los Banos Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type A. CDFW's closure: Closed to all visitor use from September 15 until the opening of waterfowl season. Closed to non-hunting uses during the waterfowl season on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season, except on days when only upland game may be taken, and on special “youth only” waterfowl hunt days when there shall be no restrictions on the number of shot shells taken into the field. Dogs are prohibited in the interpretive viewing area. Closed to deer hunting except with a department-issued entry permit. Deer may be taken with shotgun and slug only (see subsection 353(d)).
Can you camp on Los Banos Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed only in the main office parking area, and only during waterfowl season. 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 Los Banos 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 Los Banos Wildlife Area?
Los Banos (3 miles), Volta (5 miles) and Dos Palos Y (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, Los Banos 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.