Hunters looking to get an early start this season in California’s A Zone should take note of a limited-access opportunity now open for application. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering opening-weekend hunting permits for two wildlife areas in Merced County: Cottonwood Creek and San Luis Reservoir.
This is a straightforward, no-frills program—30 permits per day per area—for hunters who want a fair shot at game in land that’s usually off-limits or lightly accessed.
What’s Available
Permits apply to Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10, 2025, lining up with the A Zone general deer season opening weekend. Both Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area and San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area will be open to permit holders only.
Here’s a quick look at each area:
- Cottonwood Creek: About 6,800 acres of rolling hills, grasslands, and oak woodlands. Decent habitat for both deer and wild pig.
- San Luis Reservoir: A bit more mixed terrain, including brush, draws, and shoreline vegetation. Smaller, but still productive if you know how to scout.
How to Apply
You’ll need a reservation to hunt, and only 30 hunters per day will get access at each site.
CDFW offers two ways to apply:
- Online: Visit the Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area or San Luis Reservoir Wildlife Area pages and follow the links to apply.
- By Mail or Email: Request an official application by calling the CDFW Los Banos office at (209) 826-0463 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Applications can then be:
- Emailed to: Kimberly.Reynoso@wildlife.ca.gov
- Mailed to:
CDFW Los Banos Office
18110 W. Henry Miller Ave.
Los Banos, CA 93635
Only official applications will be accepted, and they must be received by 4 p.m. on July 3, 2025.
Selection and Notification
Permits will be issued by a computerized drawing held on July 10, 2025, at 11 a.m. The drawing is open to the public, but results won’t be given over the phone.
If your name is drawn, you’ll receive confirmation by mail within five working days after the drawing.
Why It’s Worth a Look
Public land hunting in California isn’t always easy. Many areas see high pressure, and opening weekends can get crowded fast. That’s why a limited-access hunt like this one matters. With only 30 hunters per day per location, you’ll have a better chance to move around, glass undisturbed country, and maybe even find game before it gets too wary.
These hunts aren’t guided, fenced, or overly controlled. You’ll still have to do the work. But knowing the competition is capped lets you focus more on the hunt and less on dodging other people.
Things to Keep in Mind
Don’t miss the deadline: July 3 is a hard cutoff. Get your application in on time.
No walk-ons: You must have a reservation to access either wildlife area on those days.
