Tehama Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Tehama Wildlife Area is 44,406 acres of CDFW land in Tehama 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: All legal species, with exceptions CDFW lists below. 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.
National forestBLMCDFW landTehama WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 44,406 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 1, Northern Region |
| County | Tehama |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Species that may be hunted | All legal species, with exceptions CDFW lists below |
| Closures | The portion of the area south of Antelope Creek is closed to all visitor use and entry from the first Monday in December through the last Friday in March. |
| Camping | Allowed. |
| Deer zone | Zone C4 |
| Nearest towns | Paynes Creek (next to it), Dales (4 mi) and Manton (7 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Tehama Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Tehama 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 roads open to vehicles. |
| Camping | Whole area | Allowed. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | The portion of the area south of Antelope Creek is closed to all visitor use and entry from the first Monday in December through the last Friday in March. The use of dogs for wild pig hunting is prohibited. |
| Species that may be hunted | Whole area | All legal species, except: (A) During the G-1 deer season, only persons with a department-issued entry permit and a G-1 deer tag may enter the wildlife area. Only deer and wild pig may be taken during the G-1 deer season. (B) During the J-3 deer season, deer may only be taken with a J-3 apprentice hunt tag available through the big game drawing. All legal species, except wild pig, may be taken during the J-3 deer season. (C) Wild pig only during the G-1 deer season when only persons with a G-1 deer tag and a department-issued entry permit may enter the wildlife area. No dogs permitted. |
| 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 Tehama 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 Tehama Wildlife Area?
Comprised of approximately 44,500 acres of grassland, oak woodland and chaparral, Tehama Wildlife Area boasts an array of wildlife species, including black-tailed deer, wild pigs and turkeys. The area is popular for wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and camping.
From CDFW's page for Tehama Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Tehama Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Tehama WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone C4 | 44,406 | 1,129 deer taken in 2025, 30.1% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 4 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Tehama WA: hunt G-1 (Late Season Buck Hunt for Zone C-4), hunt J-21 (East Tehama Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt), hunt A-1 (C Zones Archery Only Hunt) and hunt J-3 (Tehama Wildlife Area Apprentice Buck Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Tehama Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 41,758 acres of CDFW land, 30,303 acres of national forest and 1,191 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to Tehama Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Interstate 5 in Red Bluff, go northeast approximately 20 miles on Highway 36. At Payne's Creek, turn right onto Plum Creek Road. The Wildlife Area gate is about 3 miles ahead, on the left, with a turnout and informational map on the right.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 36. Nearest towns: Paynes Creek (next to it), Dales (4 miles), Manton (7 miles) and Los Molinos (10 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Tehama Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Species: All legal species, with exceptions CDFW lists below. CDFW's closure: The portion of the area south of Antelope Creek is closed to all visitor use and entry from the first Monday in December through the last Friday in March. The use of dogs for wild pig hunting is prohibited.
Can you camp on Tehama Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed. 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 Tehama Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone C4, 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 Tehama Wildlife Area?
Paynes Creek (next to it), Dales (4 miles) and Manton (7 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, Tehama 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.