Spenceville Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Spenceville Wildlife Area is 11,728 acres of CDFW land in Yuba and Nevada 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 D3, where CDFW estimates 2,509 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 landSpenceville WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 11,728 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| Counties | Yuba and Nevada |
| 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. |
| Camping | Allowed in designated campsites from September 1 through the end of spring turkey season. |
| Deer zone | Zone D3 |
| Nearest towns | Smartsville (next to it), Beale AFB (2 mi) and Penn Valley (5 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Spenceville Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Spenceville WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Allowed in designated campsites from September 1 through the end of spring turkey season. |
| Fire | Whole area | Fires are prohibited except for portable gas stoves within designated campsites. |
| 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. Closed to all visitor entry during the first nine days of the spring turkey season except for special turkey permit holders. The posted area around the Spenceville Mine is closed to visitor entry. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Whole area | Special draw entry permits are required for the first nine days of the spring turkey season. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Spenceville 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 Spenceville Wildlife Area?
Nestled in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California, Spenceville Wildlife Area consists of roughly 11,900 acres of blue oak and gray pine woodland and riparian forest. Among the many popular activities here are fishing, hiking and equestrian trail riding.
Spenceville Wildlife Area is comprised of approximately 11,900 acres of blue oak - gray pine woodland characteristic of the Sierra Foothills. The elevation of the area varies from 200 to 1200 feet. The Wildlife Area is bordered on the west by Beale Air Force Base and on the north, south and east by privately owned ranches. There are numerous ponds, creeks, trails and riparian zones in the area.
From CDFW's page for Spenceville Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Spenceville Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Spenceville WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D3 | 11,728 | 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 Spenceville WA: hunt J-16 (Bucks Mountain-Nevada City Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt) and hunt G-7 (Beale 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 Spenceville Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 12,503 acres of CDFW land, 4,350 acres of other state or federal land and 737 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to Spenceville Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Marysville, take Highway 20 eastbound approximately 20 miles and turn right onto Hammonton Smartsville Road. In 5 miles, bear left onto Waldo Road (unpaved roadway) and continue for about 2 miles. This road mostly traverses land that is part of the Wildlife Area. After crossing the wooden Waldo Junction Bridge, the signboard identifying Spenceville Wildlife Area is ahead on the left.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 20 and CA 65. Nearest towns: Smartsville (next to it), Beale AFB (2 miles), Penn Valley (5 miles) and Wheatland (6 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Spenceville 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. Closed to all visitor entry during the first nine days of the spring turkey season except for special turkey permit holders. The posted area around the Spenceville Mine is closed to visitor entry.
Can you camp on Spenceville Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed in designated campsites from September 1 through the end of spring turkey season. Where camping is allowed, a visitor may stay up to seven nights in a row and fourteen nights a year (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Spenceville Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone D3, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 2,509 deer were taken in Zone D3 in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Spenceville Wildlife Area?
Smartsville (next to it), Beale AFB (2 miles) and Penn Valley (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, Spenceville 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.