Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area is 1,034 acres of CDFW land in Shasta and Tehama counties, 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 C3, where CDFW estimates 585 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 refugeMouth of Cottonwood Creek WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,034 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| Counties | Shasta and Tehama |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone C3, Zone C4 |
| Elk zone | Northeastern |
| Nearest towns | Lake California (next to it), Anderson (4 mi) and Cottonwood (4 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Mouth of Cottonwood Creek WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
| 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 Mouth of Cottonwood Creek 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 Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area?
The Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area consists of approximately 1,100 acres of primarily riparian habitat, with cottonwood, Oregon ash, and willow dominating the overstory. Native understory species include California rose, blackberry, box elder, and native grasses. It is an excellent habitat for the Swainson's hawk, bald eagle, ringtail, river otter, and beaver. Many species of songbird may also be viewed.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, tree squirrel, rabbit, waterfowl, snipe, turkey, pheasant, quail, and dove may be present.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Mouth of Cottonwood Creek WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone C3 | 986 | 585 deer taken in 2025, 30.1% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 25 |
| Deer Zone C4 | 49 | 1,129 deer taken in 2025, 30.1% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 4 |
| Northeastern elk zone | 1,034 | 26 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Mouth of Cottonwood Creek WA: hunt A-1 (C Zones Archery Only Hunt), hunt G-1 (Late Season Buck Hunt for Zone C-4) and hunt J-21 (East Tehama Apprentice 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 Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 4,956 acres of BLM land, 1,720 acres of CDFW land and 72 acres of national wildlife refuge.
How do you get to Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From I-5 take Balls Ferry Road through the town of Cottonwood, approximately 10 miles to the Wildlife Area; walk in access is adjacent to the intersection of Adobe and Hacienda Roads.
CDFW's location note: East of the town of Cottonwood at the confluence of Cottonwood Creek and the Sacramento River. Highways within 8 miles: I-5, CA 99, CA 273 and CA 36. Nearest towns: Lake California (next to it), Anderson (4 miles), Cottonwood (4 miles) and Bend (8 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Mouth of Cottonwood Creek 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 Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area in?
Zone C3 (986 acres) and Zone C4 (49 acres), by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 585 deer were taken in Zone C3 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area?
Lake California (next to it), Anderson (4 miles) and Cottonwood (4 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, Mouth of Cottonwood Creek 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.