Morro Bay Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Morro Bay Wildlife Area is 1,264 acres of CDFW land in San Luis Obispo County, in CDFW's Central 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 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.
BLMCDFW landState parkMorro Bay WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,264 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | San Luis Obispo |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Closures | Closed to hunting from the day after the end of waterfowl season until the opening day of brant season. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Morro Bay (next to it), Los Osos (next to it) and Cayucos (6 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Morro Bay Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Morro Bay 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 hunting from the day after the end of waterfowl season until the opening day of brant season. A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Whole area | Shooting hours are from 7:00 a.m. until sunset. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Morro Bay 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 Morro Bay Wildlife Area?
The Morro Bay Wildlife Area is an approximately 1,300 acre property. Eel grass, ecologically significant as an important food and cover plant, grows on a major portion of the area. Most other significant aquatic plants of the marine zone are species of algae. Although appearing sterile, tidal mudflats provide habitat for very large numbers of invertebrate species. It is the mudflats that are so attractive to shorebirds and supply much of their food. Fish and predatory birds are also present.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Type C: Morro Bay 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. Hunt Zone Map (PDF) Facilities: None
CDFW lists upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Morro Bay Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Morro Bay Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Morro Bay WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 99 | 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 Morro Bay Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 8,539 acres of state park land and 1,927 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Morro Bay Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: CA 1 and CA 41. Nearest towns: Morro Bay (next to it), Los Osos (next to it), Cayucos (6 miles) and California Polytechnic State University (10 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Morro Bay 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. CDFW's closure: Closed to hunting from the day after the end of waterfowl season until the opening day of brant season. A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field.
Can you camp on Morro Bay Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Morro Bay Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Morro Bay 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 Morro Bay Wildlife Area?
Morro Bay (next to it), Los Osos (next to it) and Cayucos (6 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, Morro Bay 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.