Unit X6b Zone X6b
Premium limited-draw mule deer in the timbered high country around Sierra Valley, Portola, and Loyalton
Eastern Sierra — Sierra Valley & the northern Sierra Nevada · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
688
sq mi
Public land
75%
approx.
Elevation
4,900–8,600
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Zone X-6b sits at the head of the northern Sierra Nevada in Plumas and Sierra counties, ringing the vast high-elevation Sierra Valley from Portola and Blairsden south to Loyalton and Sierraville. It is heavily public — Plumas and Tahoe National Forest timber, granite ridges, and reservoir basins — holding a mix of resident and migratory Sierra mule deer. It is the smallest and most heavily hunted of the local X-6 zones: success runs lower (about 37%, roughly 93 deer taken annually) largely because the country is well-roaded and popular, so getting away from other hunters is the whole game. Draw the tag, then earn your buck with boot-miles into the pockets other hunters skip.
Terrain
High Sierra timber and granite surrounding the broad, flat, wet expanse of Sierra Valley. Forested ridges and peaks rise from the valley floor to over 8,000 feet, cut by reservoir drainages. Cold nights and early snow are common at elevation.
Cover: Sagebrush, wet meadow, and irrigated pasture on the Sierra Valley floor grading into Jeffrey pine, white and red fir, lodgepole, and mixed conifer with aspen stringers and mountain mahogany on the higher, drier east-facing slopes.
Landmarks: Sierra Valley · Beckwourth Peak · Frenchman Lake · Lake Davis · Little Grass Valley Reservoir · Diamond Mountains (south end) · Antelope Valley
Access
Predominantly public National Forest — Plumas to the north and west, Tahoe to the south — with a dense road and trail network off Highways 70, 89, and 49. The Sierra Valley floor itself is mostly private ranch and hay ground. Antelope Valley and Crocker Meadows wildlife areas add public access. The abundance of roads means access is easy but pressure is high; the payoff goes to hunters who leave the roads.
Managers: Plumas National Forest (USFS), Tahoe National Forest (USFS), BLM, Private ranch (Sierra Valley floor), CDFW wildlife areas
Access points: State Highway 70 (Portola corridor) · State Highway 89 (Sierraville / Graeagle) · State Highway 49 (Loyalton / Sierra City) · Plumas & Tahoe NF road systems around Frenchman Lake and Lake Davis
Species notes
Mule Deer
common opportunityA mix of resident and migratory Sierra mule deer inhabit the timber and reservoir basins. Bucks are here for those willing to work, but heavy road access and hunting pressure keep success modest — the challenge is separation from other hunters, not deer numbers.
- →Get well off the roads into steep timber pockets and drainage heads other hunters ignore
- →Glass aspen stringers, mahogany slopes, and meadow edges at first and last light
- →Work the timber/meadow transitions and reservoir drainages (Frenchman, Lake Davis, Little Grass Valley)
- →Time later hunts to storms that push migratory deer down and concentrate animals
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears are common throughout the Plumas and Tahoe NF timber — a solid secondary opportunity during the deer season.
- →Work berry patches, aspen, and mast benches in the higher timber
- →Glass timbered slopes and canyon draws early and late
- →Check creek bottoms and water
Pro tips
- →Beat the crowds with your legs — this zone has lots of roads but the bucks live where other hunters won't walk
- →Scout the timber pockets and drainage heads above Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis, and Little Grass Valley Reservoir
- →Glass aspen stringers and meadow edges at the timber transition early and late
- →Hunt a fall storm if you can — it pushes migratory deer down and bunches them up
- →Map the private Sierra Valley ranch ground so you stay on public forest
Watch out for
- !Heavy hunting pressure and road traffic — separation from other hunters is the main challenge
- !Sierra Valley floor is largely private ranch; stay on the surrounding public forest
- !Early snow at elevation can close high roads and campsites
- !Fire-season closures and restrictions in the Plumas/Tahoe NF
- !Popular dispersed camping areas fill quickly during the season
Logistics
Portola is the main hub with fuel, groceries, and lodging; Loyalton, Sierraville, and Graeagle offer closer, smaller-town access to the forest. Truckee to the south provides full services. This is developed Sierra recreation country, so supplies and camping are easy, but expect company — dispersed camping fills up and the roads see traffic. Be ready for cold nights and possible early snow above 6,000 feet.
Nearest towns: Portola, Loyalton, Sierraville, Graeagle, Blairsden, Truckee
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official California sources:
Research sources: CDFW Zone X-6b Deer Hunt Map (Wildlife Branch) · CDFW Deer Hunting Zones · CDFW Region 2 (Northern Sierra) Deer Hunting
FAQ
- How big is Unit X6b in California?
- Unit X6b (Zone X6b) covers about 688 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,900 to 8,600 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit X6b?
- Approximately 75% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: Plumas National Forest (USFS), Tahoe National Forest (USFS), BLM, Private ranch (Sierra Valley floor), CDFW wildlife areas. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit X6b?
- Mule 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 X6b on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.