Unit D4 Zone D4
A compact west-slope zone from the Auburn foothills up to the Granite Chief crest, where migratory deer funnel down onto private ground with the storms.
Central Sierra Nevada — Tahoe National Forest & American River country · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
2,279
sq mi
Public land
40%
approx.
Elevation
100–9,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Zone D4 is a general-season west-slope zone covering portions of Colusa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties, centered on the North and Middle Fork American River drainages northeast of Auburn. The huntable deer country is the timbered eastern half in the Tahoe National Forest around the Interstate 80 corridor, while the western foothills are mostly private. The herd is migratory California mule deer mixed with resident Columbian black-tailed deer, summering high on public land and dropping onto private ground in the west after mid-October storms. Success is opportunity-grade at roughly 14%, typical of a general over-the-counter Sierra zone.
Terrain
Steep, rugged canyon country of the North and Middle Fork American River rising east from the Auburn foothills through dense conifer to the granite ridges of the Granite Chief Wilderness near the Sierra crest.
Cover: Oak woodland and mixed/montane chaparral in the foothills, transitioning through hardwood-conifer and dense conifer to aspen and alpine habitat near the crest. Buckbrush, deerbrush and bitter cherry brush, burns and re-sprouted clearcuts hold the browse.
Landmarks: North & Middle Fork American River canyons · Granite Chief Wilderness · Cisco Grove / Soda Springs (I-80 corridor) · Foresthill Divide · Yuba Gap / Emigrant Gap · Auburn State Recreation Area
Access
The eastern, higher-elevation portion is largely open Tahoe National Forest with a good Forest Service road net along the I-80 corridor and Foresthill Divide; the western foothills are predominantly private ranch and timber. Deer hunting is allowed in portions of the Auburn State Recreation Area along the North and Middle Fork American River near Auburn. SPI timber blocks in the zone generally allow foot-access public hunting behind locked gates. The Feather River Wildlife Area (Sutter/Yuba) permits archery/shotgun only.
Managers: USFS Tahoe NF, BLM (Sierra foothills), State (Auburn State Recreation Area, Feather River Wildlife Area), Private timber (Sierra Pacific Industries), Private ranch
Access points: Interstate 80 to Cisco Grove, Soda Springs, Yuba Gap and Emigrant Gap · Foresthill Road up the Foresthill Divide · Auburn State Recreation Area along the American River forks · Forest Service roads around Barker Pass and Granite Chief · Highway 70/99 to the Feather River Wildlife Area
Species notes
Mule Deer
common opportunityMigratory California mule deer are the primary game, summering on Tahoe NF land in the eastern high country early to mid-season. CDFW rates the herd stable to slightly declining and below historic levels; success runs in the low teens. From mid-October, any significant storm pushes migratory deer at high elevations down onto private lands in the west, so weather timing is everything.
- →Hunt high on public Tahoe NF ground (Cisco Grove, Soda Springs, Granite Chief, Barker Pass) early to mid-season
- →Time later hunts to storms that move deer down toward the west
- →Work buckbrush/deerbrush stands, burns and re-sprouted clearcuts
- →Glass American River canyon breaks and oak-conifer edges at first and last light
- →Cover ground on foot away from the I-80 corridor pressure
Blacktail Deer
common opportunityColumbian black-tailed deer occur as resident animals in the lower western foothills and river-bottom country, including the Feather River Wildlife Area where deer are present year-round. CDFW confirms both subspecies inhabit D4; the west-slope resident deer skew blacktail.
- →Hunt foothill oak-woodland and chaparral for resident deer
- →Still-hunt river-bottom and riparian cover in the western parcels
- →Work the Auburn SRA canyon breaks for canyon-holding blacktails
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bear are well distributed through the forested American River country and are commonly encountered by deer hunters in the oak and mixed-conifer belt.
- →Work oak flats during the fall acorn drop
- →Glass north-slope brush and canyon berry patches
- →Check drainage bottoms and springs in dry years
Pro tips
- →Hunt the public Tahoe NF high country early — before storms pull deer down onto the private west side
- →Plan around the forecast; the first cold storm after mid-October is the trigger to watch
- →The Auburn State Recreation Area offers legal public deer hunting along the American River forks that many overlook
- →SPI timber blocks allow foot-only public hunting behind their gates — extra access most hunters miss
- →Recent burns and re-sprouted clearcuts grow prime browse; deer key on that regrowth for several seasons
Watch out for
- !Western foothills are largely private — verify ownership and carry written permission before hunting private ground
- !Late-summer and fall fire closures routinely shut roads and drainages in this zone
- !Steep American River canyons make pack-outs brutal — plan the retrieve before the shot
- !Feather River Wildlife Area is archery/shotgun only — know the method restrictions
- !Do not camp within 200 yards of guzzlers/wildlife water sources (Title 14 violation); no camping or fires on SPI land
Logistics
Auburn, Foresthill and Colfax along the I-80/Foresthill corridor are the practical staging towns for fuel, groceries and lodging, with developed and informal USFS campgrounds through the Tahoe National Forest (campfire permit required). The eastern high country is a straightforward drive off Interstate 80; the American River canyons are steep and access is rougher. Carry a shovel, spare tire and extra water — cell service is spotty once you leave the interstate.
Nearest towns: Auburn, Foresthill, Colfax, Truckee, Grass Valley
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official California sources:
Research sources: CDFW — Zone D-4 General Deer Hunting Information (2025) · CDFW — Deer Hunting Zones and Maps · USFS — Tahoe National Forest
FAQ
- How big is Unit D4 in California?
- Unit D4 (Zone D4) covers about 2,279 square miles, ranging from roughly 100 to 9,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit D4?
- Approximately 40% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Tahoe NF, BLM (Sierra foothills), State (Auburn State Recreation Area, Feather River Wildlife Area), Private timber (Sierra Pacific Industries), Private ranch. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit D4?
- Mule Deer, Blacktail Deer, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official California agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit D4 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.