San Jacinto Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
San Jacinto Wildlife Area is 18,245 acres of CDFW land in Riverside County, in CDFW's Inland Deserts 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 D15, where CDFW estimates 109 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 landState parkOther state or federal landSan Jacinto WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 18,245 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 6, Inland Deserts Region |
| County | Riverside |
| Wildlife area type | Type A |
| Closures | Upland game (doves, pheasants, quail, snipe, and rabbits) may be taken only in designated areas. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone D15, Zone D19 |
| Nearest towns | Beaumont (next to it), Lakeview (next to it) and San Jacinto (2 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for San Jacinto Wildlife Area?
As a Type A area, San Jacinto 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Closures and restrictions | Davis Road Unit | Upland game (doves, pheasants, quail, snipe, and rabbits) may be taken only in designated areas. A self-issued permit, acquired on-site, is required to enter the upland game hunting area. |
| Closures and restrictions | Potrero Unit | Only upland game birds and resident small game within designated areas may be taken, unless otherwise restricted or limited within the unit. |
| Shoot days and hours in waterfowl season | Davis Road Unit | Hunting for waterfowl, coot and moorhen is allowed only on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Pheasant hunting is allowed only on Mondays during pheasant season. All other upland game hunting is allowed only in designated areas from July 1 through January 31. A self-issued permit, acquired on-site, is required to enter the upland game hunting area. |
| Shoot days and hours in waterfowl season | Potrero Unit | Unless otherwise restricted by the department, hunting is allowed daily only for upland game birds and resident small game in designated areas. A self-issued permit, acquired on-site, is required to enter the designated hunting area. Wildlife Areas with Shooting Restrictions During Waterfowl Season Description of Restriction |
| 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 San Jacinto 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 San Jacinto Wildlife Area?
San Jacinto Wildlife Area in Southern California covers approximately 19,000 acres, including 900 acres of restored wetlands. Among the animal populations found here are numerous waterfowl, wading birds and jackrabbits. The area is popular for wildlife viewing and hunting.
San Jacinto Wildlife Area's western boundary is adjacent to the 8,800-acre Lake Perris State Recreation Area.
From CDFW's page for San Jacinto Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is San Jacinto Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of San Jacinto WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D15 | 9,837 | 109 deer taken in 2025, 14.8% hunter success; 2026 general season October 10 to November 8 |
| Deer Zone D19 | 8,408 | 156 deer taken in 2025, 10.4% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to November 1 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of San Jacinto WA: hunt J-14 (Riverside 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 San Jacinto Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 18,276 acres of CDFW land, 11,166 acres of BLM land, 9,312 acres of state park land and 136 acres of national forest.
How do you get to San Jacinto Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Riverside, take U.S. 215 to Ramona Expressway, east for about 8.5 miles to Davis Road. The checking station is on Davis Road 2.25 miles north of Ramona Expressway. There is no access to Davis Road from the north.
Highways within 8 miles: I-10, I-215, CA 60, CA 74 and CA 79. Nearest towns: Beaumont (next to it), Lakeview (next to it), San Jacinto (2 miles) and Nuevo (2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on San Jacinto Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type A. CDFW's closure: Upland game (doves, pheasants, quail, snipe, and rabbits) may be taken only in designated areas. A self-issued permit, acquired on-site, is required to enter the upland game hunting area.
Can you camp on San Jacinto Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list San Jacinto Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is San Jacinto Wildlife Area in?
Zone D15 (9,837 acres) and Zone D19 (8,408 acres), by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 109 deer were taken in Zone D15 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to San Jacinto Wildlife Area?
Beaumont (next to it), Lakeview (next to it) and San Jacinto (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, San Jacinto 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.
California hunting CDFW Region 6 Deer Zone D15 Deer Zone D19