North Grasslands Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
North Grasslands Wildlife Area is 7,600 acres of CDFW land in Merced and Stanislaus counties, in CDFW's Central Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type A: hunter access is restricted in waterfowl season and a hunting pass is needed. 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 refugeState parkNorth Grasslands WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 7,600 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| Counties | Merced and Stanislaus |
| Wildlife area type | Type A |
| Closures | A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season, except on days when only upland game may be taken and on special “youth only” waterfowl hunt days when there shall be no restrictions on the number of shot shells taken into the field. |
| Camping | Allowed only in checking station parking lot, and only during waterfowl season. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Newman (2 mi), Los Banos (2 mi) and Gustine (4 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for North Grasslands Wildlife Area?
As a Type A area, North Grasslands WA needs a hunting pass bought in advance and exchanged for an entry permit in waterfowl season, with set shoot days (Section 551(e)).
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Allowed only in checking station parking lot, and only during waterfowl season. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season, except on days when only upland game may be taken and on special “youth only” waterfowl hunt days when there shall be no restrictions on the number of shot shells taken into the field. Closed to deer hunting except with a department-issued entry permit. Deer may be taken with shotgun and slug only (see subsection 353(d)). |
| Additional hunting | Whole area | Raccoon, rabbit, deer, and quail Self-registration required for raccoons and rabbits. Raccoon may not be taken during waterfowl season. Rabbit may be hunted daily from July 1 through September 15 and from the day after the end of waterfowl season until the end of the rabbit season. During the waterfowl season, rabbit hunting is allowed only on waterfowl and pheasant hunt days. A department-issued entry permit is required to hunt deer. Eurasian collared dove hunting allowed during mourning dove open season. Snipe hunting allowed only on waterfowl shoot days during the general waterfowl season. |
| 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 North Grasslands 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 North Grasslands Wildlife Area?
North Grasslands Wildlife Area is approximately 7,400 acres of wetlands, riparian habitat and uplands, and includes the China Island, Gadwall, and Salt Slough units. These restored and created wetlands are now habitat for the Swainson's hawk and sandhill crane.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: 2026 Zone A deer season hunting application (PDF) Type A: North Grasslands Wildlife Area has restricted hunter access during waterfowl and pheasant hunting seasons. Adult hunters are required to purchase a Type A hunting pass in advance in order to exchange for an entry permit.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and fishing.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: The China Island and Salt Slough Units parking lots are flat dirt or gravel. ADA parking is available next to the check station in Zone A.
From CDFW's page for North Grasslands Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is North Grasslands Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of North Grasslands WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 7,600 | 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 North Grasslands Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 25,301 acres of national wildlife refuge, 13,957 acres of CDFW land and 1,854 acres of state park land.
How do you get to North Grasslands Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: China Island: Between Newman and Gustine. From Gustine and the intersection of Hwy 33 and 140, travel 1.7 mi N on Hwy 33, turn right onto Canal School Rd., travel 1.4 mi and turn right onto Brazo Rd, travel 0.7 mi and turn left, proceed 1.2 mi.
CDFW's location note: 6 mi north of Los Banos. Highways within 8 miles: CA 33, I-5, CA 152, CA 165 and CA 140. Nearest towns: Newman (2 miles), Los Banos (2 miles), Gustine (4 miles) and Stevinson (5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on North Grasslands Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type A. CDFW's closure: A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season, except on days when only upland game may be taken and on special “youth only” waterfowl hunt days when there shall be no restrictions on the number of shot shells taken into the field. Closed to deer hunting except with a department-issued entry permit. Deer may be taken with shotgun and slug only (see subsection 353(d)).
Can you camp on North Grasslands Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed only in checking station parking lot, and only during waterfowl season. Where camping is allowed, a visitor may stay up to seven nights in a row and fourteen nights a year (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is North Grasslands 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 North Grasslands Wildlife Area?
Newman (2 miles), Los Banos (2 miles) and Gustine (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, North Grasslands 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.