A recent announcement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirms that a special deer hunt in Napa County will take place during the week of August 14-20, the first week of the hunting season. Selections for the Knoxville Wildlife Area deer hunt will be made via randomized lottery.
Hunters have until June 20 to apply for the hunt, after which time winners will be selected by computer. Winners will receive notification 4 weeks ahead of the hunt week. There will be a total of 120 permits issued for the special draw.
Parts of the Knoxville Wildlife Area, north of Lake Berryessa, were severely damaged during the August 2020 wildfires. Because the area is regrowing and wildlife are still returning, officials are cautious in handling the upcoming hunt season. The goal is for hunters to get the most from the first week of the season without overwhelming the area.
Special deer hunt draws for Napa County are a new system that has emerged in the past 3 years. The Knoxville Wildlife Area is part of the A-Zone general deer season and is popular with hunters, so limiting access to the area during the first week is not a new idea. However, the wildfire damage has added new urgency to the idea’s implementation.
Special Deer Hunt Draw for Napa County: Application Rules and Logistics
During the hunt week, permit holders will be the only ones allowed in the Knoxville Wildlife Area. Hunting parties may have up to 4 members, but the members must be included in the initial application before the lottery draw. Substitutions will not be made, and non-hunting guests may not be added to the party.
Youth hunters may join the same party as an adult hunter. Hunters may not apply as members of multiple parties. All hunters in a party must possess a current hunting permit before applying. Deer hunt preference points are not a factor for this special draw.
Officials have not yet decided whether they will continue the special draw for the first week of other hunting seasons this year. Hunt dates and rules may be further subject to change depending on wildfire conditions.
