Hunting in Tehama County, CA

If you are an avid hunter and live in the Northern California area, then you have to check out Tehama Wildlife Area! The area spans across 44,500 acres of chaparral, oak woodland, and grassland. There are also rugged canyons throughout the area. This area is a winter range for black-tailed deer and wild pigs and there is an excellent population of turkeys here. It is considered a type C Wildlife Area, which means it is typically unstaffed and contains extensive upland habitats. Access to this area is on a self-serve basis and there is no fee required.

Read on for a few tips for the most popular hunts in Tehama County!

WILD TURKEY

Rio Grande turkeys are the most widespread wild turkey subspecies in California, occupying much of the mixed oak and pine woodlands of the Coast Ranges.

Only bearded birds may be taken during the spring hunting season, when shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to 4 p.m. each day. These hours give hunters the best opportunity to call toms which are most active in the early morning hours, yet it enables the birds to have a break from hunting pressure in the afternoon.

Tehama County has fair hunting available on the Tehama Wildlife Area, but better hunting can be found on private property. Dye Creek, Mill Creek and Paynes Creek all have birds in the eastern half of the county. The west side has birds too, and flocks are already being spotted in the foothills from Rosewood south to Paskenta.

WILD BOAR

Wild Pig are on the rise in Tehama County, after several years of below average counts because of previous drought years. The most popular spot for hunting them is on the Tehama Wildlife area, on the east side of Red Bluff. Pig hunting in Tehama Wildlife Area is held concurrently with the G-1 deer hunt. Any person who has a deer tag (G-1) and a TWA access permit may take pigs during the hunt period. See the Tehama Wildlife Area page for further information on dates, restrictions, etc.

COLUMBIAN BLACKTAIL DEER

Deer hunting is quite popular in this county, and a typical expectation is a buck that scores between 100 and 125 points. It is perfect for young and entry-level hunters or members of the Safari Club who are looking for a great hunt while adding another one of the North American 29.

Though the success is high, don’t underestimate these wily deer. They are gaining the appropriate reputation of a hard-earned game species. Many believe blacktails can be as elusive as their whitetail deer cousins.

Tehama County is a beautiful area that is great for hunting. As with any hunting area, make sure to check the rules and regulations before setting off on your hunting adventures. The best place to check rules and to get your license is at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Regulations.