Mad River Slough Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Mad River Slough Wildlife Area is 577 acres of CDFW land in Humboldt County, in CDFW's Northern 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 snipe only. It lies in deer Zone B1, where CDFW estimates 3,992 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 refugeState parkOther state or federal landMad River Slough WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 577 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Humboldt |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. |
| Closures | Closed to all visitor use from the Monday following the end of youth hunting days (subsection 502(e)(1)(B)(5) of these regulations) through April 1. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone B1 |
| Elk zone | Northwestern |
| Nearest towns | Manila (next to it), Arcata (next to it) and Samoa (3 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Mad River Slough Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Mad River Slough 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 | Closed to all visitor use from the Monday following the end of youth hunting days (subsection 502(e)(1)(B)(5) of these regulations) through April 1. Dogs are prohibited except for hunting. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Mad River Slough 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 Mad River Slough Wildlife Area?
The 587-acre Mad River Slough Wildlife Area was formerly part of Arcata Bay's extensive intertidal salt marsh and mudflats. Old tidal sloughs still meander through the land, which is periodically flooded during periods of heavy rain. Egrets and herons are found here. Red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, kestrels, harriers, kites, and osprey are all occasionally to commonly seen. The shorebirds commonly seen are dunlin, sandpiper, dowitcher, godwit, and willet among many others.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Notice: The wildlife area is closed to public use from the Monday following the Youth Waterfowl Hunt (usually the first week of February) until April 1. Activities: wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and hunting Hunting: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe may be present.
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Mad River Slough Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Mad River Slough Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Mad River Slough WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone B1 | 556 | 3,992 deer taken in 2025, 32.5% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 25 |
| Northwestern elk zone | 546 | 20 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Mad River Slough WA: hunt M-11 (Northwestern California Muzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Mad River Slough Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,186 acres of CDFW land, 1,166 acres of national wildlife refuge and 146 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to Mad River Slough Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Highway 101 in Arcata, take Samoa Boulevard west to the Wildlife Area. Access is from the designated parking area only.
CDFW's location note: Just west of Arcata City limits. Highways within 8 miles: US 101, CA 299, CA 255 and CA 200. Nearest towns: Manila (next to it), Arcata (next to it), Samoa (3 miles) and Indianola (4 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Mad River Slough Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. CDFW's closure: Closed to all visitor use from the Monday following the end of youth hunting days (subsection 502(e)(1)(B)(5) of these regulations) through April 1. Dogs are prohibited except for hunting.
Can you camp on Mad River Slough Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Mad River Slough Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Mad River Slough Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone B1, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 3,992 deer were taken in Zone B1 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Mad River Slough Wildlife Area?
Manila (next to it), Arcata (next to it) and Samoa (3 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, Mad River Slough 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.