Moss Landing Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Moss Landing Wildlife Area is 741 acres of CDFW land in Monterey 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. 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 landState parkMoss Landing WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 741 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Monterey |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coot, and moorhen only. |
| Closures | Closed to hunting on New Year's Day. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Elk zone | Gabilan |
| Nearest towns | Moss Landing (next to it), Elkhorn (2 mi) and Las Lomas (2 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Moss Landing Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Moss Landing 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 on New Year's Day. The Salt Ponds are closed to hunting. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Whole area | Hunting is allowed only on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays and only during waterfowl season. Closed to hunting on New Year's Day. Wildlife Areas with Shooting Restrictions and/or Special Drawing Requirements Description of Restriction or Requirement |
| 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 Moss 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 Moss Landing Wildlife Area?
Moss Landing Wildlife Area is positioned upon a narrow, curving arm of California's Monterey Bay. The tidal salt marsh terrain and nearby waters are frequented by migratory shorebirds and other animals, such as harbor seals and sea otters. The tidal portions of the property are open to waterfowl hunters during the season.
This property exists adjacent to Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve. Both properties are administered by the Reserve.
From CDFW's page for Moss Landing Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Moss Landing Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Moss Landing WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 741 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
| Gabilan elk zone | 741 | Tags through the big game drawing |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Moss Landing WA: hunt A-24 (Monterey Archery Either-Sex Deer 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 Moss Landing Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 2,587 acres of CDFW land and 607 acres of state park land.
How do you get to Moss Landing Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: CA 1, US 101, CA 156, CA 129 and CA 152. Nearest towns: Moss Landing (next to it), Elkhorn (2 miles), Las Lomas (2 miles) and Pajaro Dunes (3 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Moss Landing Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, coot, and moorhen only. CDFW's closure: Closed to hunting on New Year's Day. The Salt Ponds are closed to hunting.
Can you camp on Moss Landing Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Moss Landing Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Moss Landing 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 Moss Landing Wildlife Area?
Moss Landing (next to it), Elkhorn (2 miles) and Las Lomas (2 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, Moss 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.