Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area is 297 acres of CDFW land in Tehama 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. It lies in deer Zone C4, where CDFW estimates 1,129 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 refugeState parkMerrill's Landing WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 297 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Tehama |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone C4 |
| Nearest towns | Vina (4 mi), Corning (7 mi) and Nord (8 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Merrill's Landing WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area beyond those for every wildlife area (Sections 550 and 551).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Merrill's Landing 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 Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area?
Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area is 296 acres of high terrace riparian habitat that contains a large river island, and supports a heron rookery as well as a diversity of bird and mammal species.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Turkey, pheasant, quail, and dove may be present.
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Merrill's Landing WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone C4 | 297 | 1,129 deer taken in 2025, 30.1% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 4 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Merrill's Landing WA: hunt G-1 (Late Season Buck Hunt for Zone C-4), hunt J-21 (East Tehama Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt) and hunt A-1 (C Zones Archery Only Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,415 acres of national wildlife refuge, 549 acres of CDFW land and 334 acres of state park land.
How do you get to Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: 13 miles northwest of Chico on the Sacramento River. Highways within 8 miles: I-5 and CA 99. Nearest towns: Vina (4 miles), Corning (7 miles), Nord (8 miles) and Hamilton City (9 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Type C areas are open daily for all legal species, unless CDFW's area rules say otherwise.
Can you camp on Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone C4, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 1,129 deer were taken in Zone C4 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Merrill's Landing Wildlife Area?
Vina (4 miles), Corning (7 miles) and Nord (8 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, Merrill's Landing 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.