Warner Valley Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Warner Valley Wildlife Area is 702 acres of CDFW land in Plumas County, 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 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 forestCDFW landNational Park ServiceWarner Valley WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 702 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 2, North Central Region |
| County | Plumas |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Not listed in section 551(m), so not allowed |
| Deer zone | Zone C4 |
| Elk zone | Northeastern |
| Nearest towns | Warner Valley (next to it), Chester (8 mi) and Mineral (11 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Warner Valley Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Warner Valley WA needs no hunting pass.
CDFW lists no rules for Warner Valley Wildlife Area beyond those for every wildlife area (Sections 550 and 551).
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Warner 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 Warner Valley Wildlife Area?
The 689-acre Warner Valley Wildlife Area contains abundant wetland/riparian, wet meadow and mixed conifer forest habitats. Beaver, numerous on the area, are responsible for much of the existing wetlands. Warner Valley Creek drains from Lassen Volcanic National Park, just north of the Wildlife Area. The stream has a steep gradient and the fishery resource is limited because of this. Black-tailed deer, bear, grouse, mountain quail and a variety of non-game wildlife can be found. Bald eagles are occasionally seen fishing along the creek. The scenic values of the area are outstanding.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Deer, bear, rabbit, tree squirrel, and quail may be present. As numerous cabins are found along Warner Valley Road near the horse corrals, safety is a consideration with firearm use.
CDFW lists big game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing, hiking trails and fishing.
Facilities, in CDFW's words: None. Parking is available near the corrals. U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are in the vicinity.
From CDFW's page for Warner Valley Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Warner Valley Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Warner Valley WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone C4 | 702 | 1,129 deer taken in 2025, 30.1% hunter success; 2026 general season September 19 to October 4 |
| Northeastern elk zone | 702 | 26 elk taken in 2022 |
CDFW deer hunts whose ground includes part of Warner Valley WA: 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); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Warner Valley Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 21,700 acres of national forest, 20,918 acres of National Park Service land and 718 acres of CDFW land.
How do you get to Warner Valley Wildlife Area?
CDFW's location note: Approximately 7 miles north of the town of Chester. Highways within 8 miles: CA 89 and CA 36. Nearest towns: Warner Valley (next to it), Chester (8 miles), Mineral (11 miles) and Lake Almanor Peninsula (13 miles). CDFW's page for the area gives directions and parking.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Warner 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 Warner Valley Wildlife Area?
No. Section 551(m) does not list Warner Valley Wildlife Area, and camping is prohibited on wildlife areas it does not list (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Warner Valley 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 Warner Valley Wildlife Area?
Warner Valley (next to it), Chester (8 miles) and Mineral (11 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, Warner 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.