California Bend Wildlife Area: hunting and access
California Bend Wildlife Area is 466 acres of public hunting land in Harrison County, 4 miles from California Junction, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 532 deer in Harrison County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's public hunting area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting, 2021 to 2025.
Public hunting areas on the DNR atlasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasFederal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakesIHAP landCalifornia Bend Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 466 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Harrison County |
| Deer harvest unit | Harrison County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Pheasant, Waterfowl and Quail |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/4 Marsh, 3/4 Willow/Cottonwood |
| DNR contact | Missouri River Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | California Junction (4 mi), Modale (4 mi) and Missouri Valley (9 mi) |
What is California Bend Wildlife Area like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/4 marsh, 3/4 willow/cottonwood.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on California Bend Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, pheasant, waterfowl and quail for California Bend Wildlife Area.
What are the rules on California Bend Wildlife Area?
Iowa's general hunting rules apply, and some DNR land is a posted wildlife refuge closed during set seasons; Iowa DNR wildlife management areas has area maps.
How many deer are taken around California Bend Wildlife Area?
California Bend Wildlife Area lies in Harrison County. Hunters reported 532 deer in Harrison County in 2025, against 500 in 2024.
| County | California Bend Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison County | 466 | 532 | 500 | 738 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to California Bend Wildlife Area?
The DNR's directions: Access only by Missouri River.
Nearest towns: California Junction (4 miles), Modale (4 miles), Missouri Valley (9 miles) and Mondamin (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 30. 2 IHAP tracts within 3 miles.
What other public land is near California Bend Wildlife Area?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Tyson Bend Wildlife Area: 809 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Rand Bar Wildlife Area: 65 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Sandy Point Bend: 279 acres, 3.9 miles away
- Nobles Lake Wildlife Area: 236 acres, 5.8 miles away
- Wilson Island State Recreation Area: 537 acres, 6 miles away
- Missouri Bottoms Wetland Area: 240 acres, 6.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of California Bend Wildlife Area
Counting California Bend Wildlife Area itself, 2,145 of the 30,489 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| Public hunting areas on the DNR atlas | 1,305 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 755 |
| Federal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakes | 84 |
| Other DNR land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is California Bend Wildlife Area?
In Harrison County, 4 miles from California Junction.
What can you hunt on California Bend Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, pheasant, waterfowl and quail.
How much public land is around California Bend Wildlife Area?
2,145 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, California Bend Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Tyson Bend Wildlife Area (0.5 miles).
Get a Iowa hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Iowa included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: Iowa DNR public hunting areas (Hunting Atlas layer).
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.