Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area is 9,749 acres of CDFW land in Butte and Glenn counties, in CDFW's North Central 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 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.
CDFW landNational wildlife refugeUpper Butte Basin WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 9,749 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| Counties | Butte and Glenn |
| Wildlife area type | Type A |
| Closures | Closed to all non-hunting uses from two weeks prior to opening of waterfowl season through one week after the end of waterfowl season. |
| Camping | Allowed only in the checking station parking lots on the night before a shoot day during the waterfowl season. |
| Deer zone | Zone D3, Zone C4 |
| Nearest towns | Biggs (5 mi), Richvale (6 mi) and Gridley (7 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area?
As a Type A area, Upper Butte Basin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Allowed only in the checking station parking lots on the night before a shoot day during the waterfowl season. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | Closed to all non-hunting uses from two weeks prior to opening of waterfowl season through one week after the end of waterfowl season. Dogs are prohibited except for hunting. |
| Additional hunting | Whole area | Rabbit, turkey, and quail Rabbit allowed only during the September dove season, and on waterfowl hunt days during the late dove season. Turkey allowed by draw during the spring turkey season and during the fall turkey season concurrent with the pheasant season. Quail allowed during the general season concurrent with pheasant season. |
| Additional hunting: Deer | Little Dry Creek Unit | Allowed only with a J-9 apprentice tag available through the big game drawing |
| 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 Upper Butte Basin 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 Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area?
Nestled in Northern California's Butte Basin, the roughly 9,600-acre Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area consists of three property units: Llano Seco, Howard Slough, and Little Dry Creek. Comprising one of the finest wetland habitat complexes in North America, this Wildlife Area is a popular destination for fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
To the Llano Seco Unit: Take Highway 162 west approximately 13 miles to Z Road. Go north on Z Road approximately 7 miles. When Z Road crosses into Butte County, it becomes Seven Mile Lane. The Llano Seco check station is located approximately 100 yards north of the intersection of Seven Mile Lane and Nelson Road.
From CDFW's page for Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Upper Butte Basin WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone D3 | 6,168 | 2,509 deer taken in 2025, 19% hunter success; 2026 general season September 26 to November 1 |
| Deer Zone C4 | 3,581 | 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 Upper Butte Basin WA: hunt J-9 (Little Dry Creek Apprentice Shotgun Either-Sex Deer Hunt), hunt G-1 (Late Season Buck Hunt for Zone C-4) and hunt A-1 (C Zones Archery Only Hunt).
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 15,103 acres of CDFW land and 2,834 acres of national wildlife refuge.
How do you get to Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: From Gridley, to reach the the Llano Seco or Howard Slough Units, travel about 7 miles north on Highway 99 and exit to Highway 162 west. To reach the Little Dry Creek Unit, proceed west on Colusa Highway.
Highways within 8 miles: CA 162, CA 45 and CA 99. Nearest towns: Biggs (5 miles), Richvale (6 miles), Gridley (7 miles) and Princeton (7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type A. CDFW's closure: Closed to all non-hunting uses from two weeks prior to opening of waterfowl season through one week after the end of waterfowl season. Dogs are prohibited except for hunting.
Can you camp on Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Allowed only in the checking station parking lots on the night before a shoot day during the waterfowl 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 Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area in?
Zone D3 (6,168 acres) and Zone C4 (3,581 acres), 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 Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area?
Biggs (5 miles), Richvale (6 miles) and Gridley (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, Upper Butte Basin 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.