Putah Creek Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Putah Creek Wildlife Area is 672 acres of CDFW land in Solano County, in CDFW's Bay Delta 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 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.
BLMCDFW landOther state or federal landPutah Creek WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 672 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 3, Bay Delta Region |
| County | Solano |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Closures | Closed to hunting February 1 until the opening weekend of Zone A deer archery season which is defined in Section 360 of these regulations. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Winters (5 mi), Moskowite Corner (6 mi) and Allendale (6 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Putah Creek Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Putah Creek 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 February 1 until the opening weekend of Zone A deer archery season which is defined in Section 360 of these regulations. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Putah 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 Putah Creek Wildlife Area?
Putah Creek Wildlife Area is 673 acres of gently sloping to steep hillsides of cottonwood riparian, blue oak woodland, and chamise chaparral natural communities. Just a few of the species supported by these habitats include California towhee, Bullock's oriole, and black-headed grosbeak. This area is just downstream of the Monticello dam, where Cold Creek enters Putah Creek, and includes Stebbins' Cold Canyon Reserve.
The area was burned in the summer of 2020 during the LNU Complex fire and in 2015 during the Wragg fire. These ecosystems are fire adapted but keeping to established trails will hasten recovery.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, wild pig, tree squirrel, rabbit, wild turkey, California quail, and dove may be present. Wildlife Area is closed between January 31 and opening of deer season.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, fishing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Putah Creek Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Putah Creek Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Putah Creek WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 672 | 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 Putah Creek Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 6,051 acres of other state or federal land, 3,795 acres of BLM land and 897 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Putah Creek Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: Highway 128 to just east of the Monticello dam. Watch for parking on west side of road but use caution as this parking occurs on a sharp turn in the road. Trailhead is south of the parking area, across Highway 128.
CDFW's location note: 10 miles west of Winters. Highways within 8 miles: CA 128, I-505 and CA 121. Nearest towns: Winters (5 miles), Moskowite Corner (6 miles), Allendale (6 miles) and Hartley (9 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Putah 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. CDFW's closure: Closed to hunting February 1 until the opening weekend of Zone A deer archery season which is defined in Section 360 of these regulations.
Can you camp on Putah Creek Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Putah Creek Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Putah Creek 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 Putah Creek Wildlife Area?
Winters (5 miles), Moskowite Corner (6 miles) and Allendale (6 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, Putah 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.