Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area

Recreational Opportunities

Activities: wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and hunting

[PASSESMOD]

Hunting: Deer, tree squirrel, rabbit, waterfowl, snipe, turkey, pheasant, quail, and dove may be present.

Type C: Mouth of Cottonwood Creek 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

Prior to European settlement, the site was occupied by the Wintu people, though the earliest known occupation dates back to circa 6000 BC. The first permanent settlements by non-native people began with Mexican land grants. In 1845, the Rancho Buena Ventura land grant was granted to Pierson B. Reading, which all three units of the current wildlife area fell within.

The United States annexed California in 1848. To clarify and finalize holdings, the U.S. government passed the Land Act of 1851 which approved 553 claims, among them Reading's. Reading maintained ownership until his death in 1868. Thereafter the ranch was sold off piecemeal and has apparently been primarily used for agricultural purposes such as horticulture and cattle grazing.

The detailed land use of these parcels over the last 100 years is unknown at this time, but cattle ranching and farming continue to be important factors in the local economy. Frequent flooding at this site prevented development or reduction in natural riparian vegetation. The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1982. Some of this area was part of a collaborative riparian restoration project.