Surprise Valley Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Surprise Valley Wildlife Area is 464 acres of CDFW land in Modoc 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. It lies in deer Zone X3b, where CDFW estimates 161 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 landOther state or federal landSurprise Valley WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 464 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Modoc |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Allowed only in south parking area, except from April 1 through August 15 when camping is prohibited. |
| Deer zone | Zone X3b |
| Elk zone | Northeastern |
| Pronghorn zone | Pronghorn Zone 6 (Surprise Valley) |
| Nearest towns | Eagleville (5 mi), Cedarville (9 mi) and Lake City (18 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Surprise Valley Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Surprise Valley WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Allowed only in south parking area, except from April 1 through August 15 when camping is prohibited. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Surprise Valley 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 Surprise Valley Wildlife Area?
Surprise Valley Wildlife Area is 460 acres of rolling to rocky hills of sagebrush and juniper habitat. This area is occasionally frequented by bobcat, coyote, and birds of prey. The property was purchased by the Wildlife Conservation Board in 1978 to preserve part of the winter range of the Warner Mountain deer herd, and was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1979.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, rabbit, and quail may be present.
CDFW lists big game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing.
From CDFW's page for Surprise Valley Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Surprise Valley Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Surprise Valley WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone X3b | 464 | 161 deer taken in 2025, 34.5% hunter success; 2026 general season October 3 to 18 |
| Northeastern elk zone | 464 | 26 elk taken in 2022 |
| Pronghorn Zone 6 (Surprise Valley) | 464 | 11 pronghorn taken in 2023 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Surprise Valley WA: hunt A-6 (Zone X-3b Archery Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics; CDFW Pronghorn Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Surprise Valley Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 17,287 acres of national forest, 466 acres of CDFW land, 372 acres of BLM land and 238 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Surprise Valley Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: On the western edge of Surprise Valley, approximately nine miles south of Cedarville. Nearest towns: Eagleville (5 miles), Cedarville (9 miles), Lake City (18 miles) and Likely (21 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Surprise Valley 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.
Can you camp on Surprise Valley Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed only in south parking area, except from April 1 through August 15 when camping is prohibited. 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 Surprise Valley Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone X3b, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 161 deer were taken in Zone X3b in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Surprise Valley Wildlife Area?
Eagleville (5 miles), Cedarville (9 miles) and Lake City (18 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, Surprise Valley 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.