Volta Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Volta Wildlife Area is 3,782 acres of CDFW land in Merced County, in CDFW's 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 A, where CDFW estimates 9,184 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 landVolta WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 3,782 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 4, Central Region |
| County | Merced |
| Wildlife area type | Type A |
| Closures | (U.S. |
| Camping | (U.S. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Nearest towns | Volta (2 mi), Santa Nella (4 mi) and Los Banos (5 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Volta Wildlife Area?
As a Type A area, Volta 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 | (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Lands) Allowed only in checking station parking lot. |
| Closures and restrictions | Whole area | (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Lands) Closed to all visitor uses from August 15 until the opening of waterfowl season except that fishing in the Volta Wasteway Channel is allowed. Fishing is restricted to the Volta Wasteway Channel for a distance of one mile downstream from the Ingomar Grade from September 15 until the end of waterfowl season. Closed to non-hunting uses during the waterfowl season. A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season, except on days when only upland game may be taken and on special “youth only” waterfowl hunt days when there shall be no restrictions on the number of shot shells taken into the field. |
| Additional hunting: Rabbit | Whole area | Allowed except during waterfowl season. Self- registration required. |
| 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 Volta Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
Which hunt zones is Volta Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Volta WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 3,782 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025). Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Volta Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 3,968 acres of CDFW land and 191 acres of BLM land.
How do you get to Volta Wildlife Area?
Highways within 8 miles: CA 33, CA 152, I-5, CA 165 and CA 140. Nearest towns: Volta (2 miles), Santa Nella (4 miles), Los Banos (5 miles) and Gustine (8 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Volta Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type A. CDFW's closure: (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Lands) Closed to all visitor uses from August 15 until the opening of waterfowl season except that fishing in the Volta Wasteway Channel is allowed. Fishing is restricted to the Volta Wasteway Channel for a distance of one mile downstream from the Ingomar Grade from September 15 until the end of waterfowl season. Closed to non-hunting uses during the waterfowl season. A hunter shall not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field during waterfowl season, except on days when only upland game may be taken and on special “youth only” waterfowl hunt days when there shall be no restrictions on the number of shot shells taken into the field.
Can you camp on Volta Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Lands) Allowed only in checking station parking lot. 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 Volta Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone A, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in Zone A in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Volta Wildlife Area?
Volta (2 miles), Santa Nella (4 miles) and Los Banos (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, Volta 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.