Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area is 433 acres of CDFW land in Napa 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 landRector Reservoir WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 433 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 3, Bay Delta Region |
| County | Napa |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Closures | Closed to hunting from the day after spring turkey season closes to the opening of archery deer season. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Yountville (3 mi), Oakville (3 mi) and Rutherford (5 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Rector Reservoir 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 from the day after spring turkey season closes to the opening of archery deer season. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Rector Reservoir 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 Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area?
The 433-acre Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area of oak woodland and mixed chaparral vegetation is owned by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and managed by CDFW. These plant communities support approximately 27 species of mammals, 40 species of birds, and 14 species of reptiles and amphibians. Among these are both prairie and peregrine falcon, Cooper's and sharp-shinned hawks, red-legged frogs, and northwestern pond turtles. The watershed area immediately surrounding the reservoir is also owned by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is not open to the public.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, wild pig, rabbit, tree squirrel, wild turkey, California quail, and dove may be present.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Rector Reservoir WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 433 | 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 Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 1,292 acres of other state or federal land, 413 acres of CDFW land and 174 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: East side of Silverado Trail north of Yountville Cross Road, and south of Napa County maintenance yard.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 128, CA 29 and CA 121. Nearest towns: Yountville (3 miles), Oakville (3 miles), Rutherford (5 miles) and Silverado Resort (5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Rector Reservoir 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 from the day after spring turkey season closes to the opening of archery deer season.
Can you camp on Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Rector Reservoir 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 Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area?
Yountville (3 miles), Oakville (3 miles) and Rutherford (5 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, Rector Reservoir 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.