Sacramento River Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Sacramento River Wildlife Area is 4,098 acres of CDFW land in Butte, Colusa, Glenn and Tehama counties, in CDFW's North Central 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 C4, where CDFW estimates 1,129 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 parkOther state or federal landSacramento River WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 4,098 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| Counties | Butte, Colusa, Glenn and Tehama |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Closures | Closed to hunting February 1 through August 31 except during the spring turkey season when only turkeys may be hunted and during archery deer season when only deer may be hunted. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone C4, Zone D3 |
| Nearest towns | Princeton (next to it), Hamilton City (next to it) and Colusa (2 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Sacramento River Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Sacramento River 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 through August 31 except during the spring turkey season when only turkeys may be hunted and during archery deer season when only deer may be hunted. Boat-in Only Access Units: Colusa South, Colusa North, Moulton South, Moulton North, Stegeman, Princeton South, Beehive Bend, Oxbow, Jacinto, Ord Bend, Shannon Slough, Pine Creek North, Wilson Landing, Dicus Slough, Merrills Landing. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles and pistols are prohibited. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Sacramento River 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 Sacramento River Wildlife Area?
The Sacramento River Wildlife Area is approximately 3,900 acres of riparian forest, grasslands, oxbow lakes, and gravel bars. The riparian forest is dominated by cottonwood, willow, ash, sycamore, and box elder trees with dense understory of wild grape, pipevine, and poison oak. Among the diversity of species that can be seen along the river are otters, beavers, gray fox, bobcat, western pond turtles, ash-throated flycatchers, great blue herons, egrets, and a variety of birds of prey.
As part of CDFW's ongoing effort to increase wildfire resilience on CDFW lands, grazing and restoration work will be on the Colusa Units from September to December 1, 2026. Hunters should be aware of increased activity and when possible avoid these areas.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Game species include deer, quail, turkey, and dove.
CDFW lists big game, upland game birds and waterfowl hunting for the area, and also fishing and wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Sacramento River Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Sacramento River Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Sacramento River WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone C4 | 2,491 | 1,129 deer taken in 2025, 30.1% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 4 |
| Deer Zone D3 | 1,608 | 2,509 deer taken in 2025, 19% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to November 1 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Sacramento River WA: hunt G-1 (Late Season Buck Hunt for Zone C-4), hunt A-1 (C Zones Archery Only Hunt) and hunt J-21 (East Tehama Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Sacramento River Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 14,596 acres of national wildlife refuge, 6,887 acres of CDFW land, 992 acres of state park land and 231 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Sacramento River Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: On the east and west sides of the Sacramento River. Highways within 8 miles: CA 45, CA 32, CA 99, CA 162 and CA 20. Nearest towns: Princeton (next to it), Hamilton City (next to it), Colusa (2 miles) and Nord (2 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Sacramento River 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 through August 31 except during the spring turkey season when only turkeys may be hunted and during archery deer season when only deer may be hunted. Boat-in Only Access Units: Colusa South, Colusa North, Moulton South, Moulton North, Stegeman, Princeton South, Beehive Bend, Oxbow, Jacinto, Ord Bend, Shannon Slough, Pine Creek North, Wilson Landing, Dicus Slough, Merrills Landing.
Can you camp on Sacramento River Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Sacramento River Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Sacramento River Wildlife Area in?
Zone C4 (2,491 acres) and Zone D3 (1,608 acres), by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 1,129 deer were taken in Zone C4 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Sacramento River Wildlife Area?
Princeton (next to it), Hamilton City (next to it) and Colusa (2 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, Sacramento River 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.