Zone D-3 is located in portions of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter and Yuba counties, between I-5 and Highway 89 in the East Central Valley and Sierra mountains.

Make certain to carry a bear tag in this area as bears are in abundance and may increase your opportunity for a harvest. As with most of California, there will be plenty of hunters in the field. Stay safe and wear your blaze orange clothing. Be alert to illegal pot farms on public land with harvest season occurring in September.

The terrain in this zone changes drastically form east to west. It runs from the flat lands in the valleys in the west, up into the high mountains of the Sierra Nevadas in the east. The weather in this zone can be highly variable, so be prepared. The weather is usually quite hot and dry during archery and early general seasons where thunder and lightning storms are common. Forest fires are also a possible hazard during hunting season. The chance for significant rain, hail, and snowfall increases throughout the season in the Sierras.

The vegetation is highly varied throughout Zone D-3 ranging from oak-woodland, mixed and montane chaparral, hardwood, hardwood-conifer, aspen and dense conifer to alpine habitats. Generally, deer populations in this area respond favorably to vegetation disturbances that enhance brush species (wildfire and timber harvesting). Brush stands comprised of buckbrush, deer brush and bitter cherry are good areas to hunt. Riparian areas (areas along watercourses), recently burned areas or clear cuts that have re-sprouted with brush are good areas to hunt. Areas where oaks are producing acorns may also attract deer.

Major highways include Highway 70 on the north, Highway 80 on the south, Highway 20 and Highway 49 through the middle and Highway 89 on the eastern border. Access to the Bullards Bar Reservoir area is via Highway 49 or, from Marysville, via Highway 20 to Marysville Road.

Zone D-3 contains a mixture of both public and private lands; however, most of the public land is in the eastern portion of the zone. There are some public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the western portion of the zone, but access is extremely limited. Hunting is also allowed on Spenceville and Daugherty Hill Wildlife Areas, administered by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

There are several USFS campgrounds within the hunt zone and these are shown on USFS maps. Dispersed camping is allowed on both USFS and BLM lands, but campfire permits are required. Permits may be obtained from any USFS, BLM or California Department of Forestry (CDF) office. During fire season, special regulations may apply and it is best to contact the local USFS, BLM or CDF office for the latest information.