Spenceville Wildlife Area

Spenceville Wildlife Area is comprised of 11,942 acres of blue oak - gray pine woodland characteristic of the Sierra Foothills. The terrain of the area varies from 200' to 1200' elevation. The wildlife area is bordered on the west by Beale Air Force Base and on the north, south, and east by privately owned ranches. There are numerous ponds, creeks, trails, and riparian zones in the area.

Location:

• Nevada and Yuba Counties - Approximately 18 miles east of Marysville, and north of Camp Far West
• Phone Number: (530) 538-2236
• North Map
• South Map

Area Regulations:

• The use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited
• Camping and trailers are allowed in designated campsites during the period September 1 through the end of the spring turkey season

Special Restrictions:

• An entry permit, issued by special drawing, is required for the first nine days of the spring turkey season. During those nine days, the wildlife area is closed to all public entry, except those individuals possessing a special permit issued by the department
• Fires allowed only in portable gas stoves at designated campsites

Access:

• From Marysville take Highway 20 for approximately 18 miles and turn right on Smartsville Road for 1 mile to enter the Wildlife Area.

Recreational Use:

• Type C Wildlife Area - no permits, passes, or reservations are required except for the spring turkey hunt.
• Fishing - Fishing best for largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish in the following waters: Pittman, Horseshoe, Little Dry Creek, Wood Duck #1, Spring Plot, and Upper Jones Ponds. Also Dry Creek, Little Dry Creek, and Cox Creek.
• Camping - Camping from Sept. 1 through the end of spring turkey season in the designated camp area only. Camping is limited to 7 consecutive days or 14 days total during the calendar year.
• Dog Training - Allowed from July 1 through March 15 in areas designated by the Department. Refer to map (provided upon request)
• Equestrian Trail Riding - Trail riding is limited to designated trails, graveled administrative roads (Pittman, Falls, Nichols, Jones), and within 25 feet of any wildlife area exterior boundary fence. No cross-country riding is permitted. Equestrians may access the area at the designated camp area and the access gates on Waldo Road located by the corrals. Equestrian-drawn carriages - Only county roads open to vehicles may be used.
• Bicycles - Bicycle use by individuals is restricted to graveled administrative roads (Pittman, Falls, Nichols, Jones) and county roads. The roads listed above are all gated with white pipe gates.
• Archery - Target practice at the public archery and/or shooting areas only. Archery equipment may be possessed in the wildlife area during legal archery season starting September 1.
• Target Shooting- Target shooting is permitted at the public target shooting area where only paper and clay targets will be allowed and must be removed prior to leaving the shooting area.

Group Use:

• Permits must be obtained from CDFW to schedule all group use events.

Hunting:

• Allowed September 1 - January 31 for all legal species and during spring turkey season. Reservations are required for the first nine days of the spring turkey season. Apply online. Bobwhites are considered quail and may be hunted during the local California quail season.
• Bobwhite (leftover after dog field trials) - usually found in the open areas.
• Deer - Good resident deer population. Zone D-3.
• Mourning dove - Good nesting population; hunting best along the perennial stream and ponds and surrounding food plots throughout the area.
• Tree squirrels, rabbits, coyotes, and ground squirrels - Scattered throughout the area.
• Valley quail - Found near water and blackberries.
• Waterfowl - Jump shoot the ponds for mallards and wood ducks.
• Wild pig - On rare occasions, they enter the area from the south.
• Wild Turkey - Found throughout the wildlife area

Facilities:

• Campgrounds are available from September 1 through the spring turkey season.

PLEASE NOTE: Area regulations are subject to change. Special restrictions on recreational uses, hunt days, and methods of taking are listed in the current year's issue of Hunting and Other Public Uses on State and Federal Areas, available at CDFW offices and places where licenses are sold.