[2] The area of the Humboldt WMA has a history of human habitation dating back several thousand years.

[4] Just outside the WMA's boundaries is Lovelock Cave, an important archaeological site in which Native American artifacts have been found, including the world's oldest known duck decoys, which have been dated at over 2000 years old.

[2] During the mid-1800s, emigrants following the California Trail came to this area, known as Big Meadows, for their last chance to collect water and graze their animals before crossing the dreaded Forty Mile Desert.

[5] The WMA was created in 1953 and gradually grew to its current size of 37,140 acres (58 sq mi) through a series of leases, purchases, land trades, and donations.

A study published in the 1990s found that concentrations of arsenic, boron, mercury, and selenium exceeded levels associated with harm to avian species.