Overview
The approximately 5,600 acre Antelope Valley Wildlife Area includes the Antelope Valley and Merry-Go-Round units which are largely covered by sagebrush interspersed with rabbit brush and bitterbrush at the lower elevations. The upper slopes are populated by Jeffrey pine, juniper, mountain mahogany, and chaparral plants. It is considered prime deer winter range. Common game species include Rocky Mountain mule deer and mountain quail. Other common species include the golden mantled ground squirrel, Beechey ground squirrel, red-tailed hawk, Cooper's hawk, Stellar's jay, leopard frog and rattlesnake.
Location
Activities
Wildlife Viewing
Camping
Hiking Trails
Hunting: Big Game
Hunting: Small Game
Hunting: Upland Game Birds
Hunting: Deer, bear, rabbit, tree squirrel, wild turkey, quail, grouse, and dove may be present.
Type C: Antelope Valley Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas.
Facilities: None
Area History
The Antelope Valley Wildlife Area (AVWA) is located in Sierra County, southwest of Loyalton and consists of approximately 5,700 acres of Great Basin montane habitat on the southern edge of the Sierra Valley. AVWA includes the main Antelope Valley Unit, which is located in the Antelope Valley Creek Watershed, and the Merry-Go-Round Unit. Antelope Valley has historically been used for livestock grazing (private cattle/sheep operation as well as public allotments) and small-scale logging with the earliest documented use in 1922. The land was purchased by the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) on behalf of the department in 1980 with the intent to preserve winter range and migration habitat, critical to the Loyalton-Truckee deer herd. At the time of the purchase, the land was under consideration for development. The land surrounding AVWA is predominately owned by the Tahoe National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) with the exception of private land parcels located along the northern border.
It was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1980.
North-Central Region Rancho Cordova Office: (916) 358-2900