Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area is 15,251 acres of CDFW land in Solano, Napa and Sonoma counties, in CDFW's Bay Delta Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as a wildlife area. CDFW limits hunting here to: Waterfowl, coots, moorhen, snipe, rabbit, quail, pheasant, and dove 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 landNational wildlife refugeOther state or federal landNapa-Sonoma Marshes WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 15,251 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 3, Bay Delta Region |
| Counties | Solano, Napa and Sonoma |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coots, moorhen, snipe, rabbit, quail, pheasant, and dove only. |
| Closures | The following units are closed to all hunting, firearms and archery use: The White Slough Unit, the Green Island Unit, the Southern Crossing Unit and the portion of the American Canyon Unit south of the PG&E lines. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | American Canyon (next to it), Vallejo (next to it) and Temelec (4 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area?
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | The following units are closed to all hunting, firearms and archery use: The White Slough Unit, the Green Island Unit, the Southern Crossing Unit and the portion of the American Canyon Unit south of the PG&E lines. Dogs are prohibited from March 2 through June 30. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Whole area | Hunting is allowed only on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays during open season for authorized species except that dove and rabbits may be hunted daily during the September dove season. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. All firearms and archery equipment are prohibited on the White Slough Unit, the Southern Crossing Unit, the Green Island Unit and the portion of the American Canyon Unit that is south of the PG&E lines. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, coots, moorhen, snipe, rabbit, quail, pheasant, and dove only. |
| Lands pass | Green Island Unit | 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 Napa-Sonoma Marshes 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 Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area?
The Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area is approximately 15,200 acres of baylands, tidal sloughs and wetland habitat. Many waterfowl species and shorebirds including the California Ridgway's rail can be found here. Most of the area is accessible by boat only, though some areas can be accessed from land.
This area is regularly used by hunters, fisherman, bird watchers, photographers, and hikers. It is comprised of the following units: Huichica Creek, Napa River, Southern Crossing, Ringstrom Bay, Wingo, Tolay Creek, Sonoma Creek, White Slough, Green Island, and American Canyon.
CDFW lists small game, upland game birds and waterfowl hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, fishing and hiking trails.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: Restrooms are available at Huichica Creek, Green Island and Napa River (Pond 1) Units.
From CDFW's page for Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Napa-Sonoma Marshes WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 15,251 | 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 Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 20,214 acres of national wildlife refuge, 19,990 acres of CDFW land and 392 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: Just north of San Pablo Bay, primarily between the Napa River and Sonoma Creek. Highways within 8 miles: CA 29, I-80, CA 37, CA 12 and CA 121. Nearest towns: American Canyon (next to it), Vallejo (next to it), Temelec (4 miles) and Black Point-Green Point (4 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as a wildlife area. Species: Waterfowl, coots, moorhen, snipe, rabbit, quail, pheasant, and dove only. CDFW's closure: The following units are closed to all hunting, firearms and archery use: The White Slough Unit, the Green Island Unit, the Southern Crossing Unit and the portion of the American Canyon Unit south of the PG&E lines. Dogs are prohibited from March 2 through June 30.
Can you camp on Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Napa-Sonoma Marshes 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 Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area?
American Canyon (next to it), Vallejo (next to it) and Temelec (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, Napa-Sonoma Marshes 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.