Pine Creek Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Pine Creek Wildlife Area is 2,011 acres of CDFW land in Modoc County, 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 X3b, where CDFW estimates 161 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.
National forestBLMCDFW landNational wildlife refugePine Creek WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 2,011 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Modoc |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone X3b |
| Elk zone | Northeastern |
| Pronghorn zone | Pronghorn Zone 3 (Likely Tables) |
| Nearest towns | Alturas (7 mi), Daphnedale Park (7 mi) and California Pines (11 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Pine Creek Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Pine Creek WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Pine Creek Wildlife Area beyond those for every wildlife area (Sections 550 and 551).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Pine 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 Pine Creek Wildlife Area?
The approximately 2,000-acre Pine Creek Wildlife Area includes a 25-acre reservoir. The habitat supports wild trout and is also stocked with hatchery-raised trout. This area is critical deer and antelope winter range, and provides opportunities for viewing bald and golden eagles, Swainson's hawk, prairie falcon, grouse, and sandhill crane. Many songbirds use this area for nesting seasonally.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, pronghorn, rabbit, 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 fishing.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: Wheelchair access restrooms and fishing platform.
From CDFW's page for Pine Creek Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Pine Creek Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Pine Creek WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X3b | 2,011 | 161 deer taken in 2025, 34.5% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to 18 |
| Northeastern elk zone | 2,011 | 26 elk taken in 2022 |
| Pronghorn Zone 3 (Likely Tables) | 2,011 | 22 pronghorn taken in 2023 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Pine Creek WA: hunt A-6 (Zone X-3b Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics; CDFW Pronghorn Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Pine Creek Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 19,892 acres of BLM land, 16,607 acres of national forest, 3,438 acres of CDFW land and 2,065 acres of national wildlife refuge.
How do you get to Pine Creek Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: Highway 395 south of Alturas to Parker Creek Road (County Road 56) to County Road 56, to Pine Creek Boulevard.
CDFW's location note: 6 miles southeast of Alturas off Highway 395. Highways within 8 miles: US 395 and CA 299. Nearest towns: Alturas (7 miles), Daphnedale Park (7 miles), California Pines (11 miles) and Cedarville (12 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Pine 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 Pine Creek Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Pine Creek Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Pine Creek Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X3b, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 161 deer were taken in Zone X3b in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Pine Creek Wildlife Area?
Alturas (7 miles), Daphnedale Park (7 miles) and California Pines (11 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, Pine 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.