California hunters are regaining access to vast areas of privately owned timberland as Sierra Pacific Industries lifts its seasonal wildfire closure effective October 27, 2026. The reopening comes during the fall hunting season, providing additional opportunities for deer, black bear, upland game bird and other hunters across Northern California.
California Timberlands Reopen After Four-Month Closure
Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), one of the largest private landowners in the United States, announced on October 26 that it is reopening its California forestlands to public recreation effective Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The company owns more than 1.9 million acres of forestland in Northern California, much of which is available for public hunting and other outdoor recreation. Access had been closed since June 22 because of increasing wildfire danger, dry vegetation and concerns about forest conditions.
The reopening is welcome news for hunters who rely on SPI timberlands for access to deer, black bear, wild turkey, mountain quail, grouse and other game species. Unlike many private properties, SPI generally allows recreational hunting on its lands without requiring individual hunters to obtain special landowner permission or pay an access fee.
Where Can Hunters Access SPI Land?
Sierra Pacific owns extensive timberlands throughout Northern California, including areas in the northern Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range and other forested regions. These properties often border national forests and other public lands, providing additional hunting opportunities in areas where private and public ownership are interspersed.
However, not all 1.9 million acres are necessarily accessible. Hunters should use reliable property ownership maps to identify SPI parcels and confirm that access is permitted before entering.
Hunting Is Allowed, but Restrictions Apply
Although SPI permits hunting on most of its forestlands, hunters must follow the company’s recreation policies and all applicable California hunting regulations.
Important restrictions include:
- Hunting is permitted during legal seasons, with appropriate licenses, tags and required validations.
- Motorized access is restricted in many areas. Hunters should not assume that forest roads are open to vehicles.
- Overnight camping and campfires are prohibited, along with smoking.
- Some properties remain closed, including areas with active logging operations, post-wildfire restoration work, existing leases or wildlife protection restrictions.
- Posted closures must be respected, even after the general reopening.
Hunters should also remember that the reopening does not change California hunting season dates, legal hunting methods or bag limits. Depending on the location and species, some deer seasons may already be closed, while other hunting opportunities remain available.
Why Does SPI Close Its Lands Every Summer?
SPI regularly closes its California timberlands during periods of elevated wildfire danger. In 2026, the closure began June 22, when the company cited reduced snowpack, drying vegetation and expectations of hot summer weather.
These restrictions can affect both vehicle access and walk-in hunting, even where SPI roads connect to national forest lands. During the summer closure, public roads crossing SPI property and certain designated roads shared with federal landowners remained accessible, but general recreational entry was prohibited.
The October 27 reopening restores access to most SPI properties, although individual closures may remain in effect.
Check Access Before Your Hunt
Hunters planning to use SPI land should review the company’s official recreation policies and current restrictions before traveling:
- Sierra Pacific Recreation Access and Closures: https://spi-ind.com/OurForests/RecreationAccess
- California Public Recreation Hotline: 530-378-8274
- Official October 26, 2026 Reopening Announcement: https://www.spi-ind.com/Home/PressRelease?Name=Press_Release_10262026
Even when SPI lands are open, nearby national forests, other private timberlands and public hunting areas may have different access restrictions.
Plan Your California Hunt With Hunterizer
California’s hunting regulations can be complicated, especially when hunting across different deer zones, bear hunting areas and a mixture of public and privately owned timberlands. The Hunterizer app helps hunters determine what they can legally hunt at their specific location on any given date, including deer, bear, turkey, quail, grouse and other game species. Hunterizer provides location-specific hunting seasons, legal weapons, bag limits, shooting hours, hunting zones and other important regulations. Before heading into newly reopened Sierra Pacific forestlands, check Hunterizer to see which species are in season and what regulations apply to your hunt.
