South Spit Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
South Spit Wildlife Area is 953 acres of CDFW land in Humboldt 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. CDFW limits hunting here to: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. It lies in deer Zone B1, where CDFW estimates 3,992 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 landNational wildlife refugeState parkOther state or federal landSouth Spit WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 953 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Humboldt |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone B1 |
| Elk zone | Northwestern |
| Nearest towns | Fields Landing (next to it), Humboldt Hill (2 mi) and Bayview (3 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for South Spit Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, South Spit WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Off-highway vehicles | Whole area | Off-highway vehicles are allowed only on the west side of South Jetty on designated access corridors and wave-slope. |
| Firearms | Whole area | Rifles, pistols, and archery equipment are prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for South Spit 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 South Spit Wildlife Area?
South Spit Wildlife Area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is known as Mike Thompson Wildlife Area, South Spit Humboldt Bay. The entrance gate opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset.
The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 2007. This long, narrow spit of land is 598 acres of coastal beach dunes that provides habitat for dune plant species. Ravens, foxes, and raccoons are regularly seen here, and the area is rich in shorebirds and waders.
CDFW lists waterfowl hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, hiking trails and fishing.
From CDFW's page for South Spit Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is South Spit Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of South Spit WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone B1 | 558 | 3,992 deer taken in 2025, 32.5% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 25 |
| Northwestern elk zone | 603 | 20 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of South Spit WA: hunt M-11 (Northwestern California Muzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around South Spit Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 2,592 acres of CDFW land, 2,573 acres of national wildlife refuge and 347 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to South Spit Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: (South Humboldt Bay approximately 5 miles southwest of Eureka). Highways within 8 miles: US 101, CA 255, CA 211 and CA 345. Nearest towns: Fields Landing (next to it), Humboldt Hill (2 miles), Bayview (3 miles) and Fairhaven (3 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on South Spit Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: Waterfowl, coot, and snipe only.
Can you camp on South Spit Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list South Spit Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is South Spit Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone B1, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 3,992 deer were taken in Zone B1 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to South Spit Wildlife Area?
Fields Landing (next to it), Humboldt Hill (2 miles) and Bayview (3 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, South Spit 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.