Permanent Rule WSR 23-02-069: It is unlawful for any person to cause or allow goats or sheep to be untethered or unattended on this wildlife area unit, unless otherwise permitted by the director to do so. Goats or sheep that have tested positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae or that are displaying signs of pneumonia or other illness will not be permitted. Goats or sheep showing signs of pneumonia or other illness while on department lands must be removed within 48 hours. If a goat or sheep becomes lost, the owner must make every effort to locate and recover it. If the goat or sheep cannot be recovered, the owner shall contact the department by telephone as soon as possible.
The terrain on the Carter Mountain Unit varies from broad valleys to rugged, rocky hillsides. Habitat types include shrubsteppe, dry grassland, and dry-mixed conifer forest. The unit supports a variety of wildlife, including black bears, migratory birds, cougars, bobcats, and golden eagles. Mule deer draw hunters to this unit each fall.
The Carter Mountain Unit is located 7 miles south of Tonasket in Okanogan County. The unit can be accessed just off of Highway 97 and adjacent to North Pine Creek Road.
The Carter Mountain Unit occurs in the Okanogan Watershed in the Columbia River Basin. The unit is surrounded by private property and Department of Natural Resources land. Nearby land use includes agriculture and grazing.
This unit is part of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 215
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Parking area
Recreation and access advisories
- Parking areas are not maintained during winter months.
- Private property borders a significant portion of the Carter Mountain Unit. Please respect private property and heed posted signs where vehicle access is not permitted.
Hunting
Mule deer are the primary hunting opportunity on this unit, and draw a large number of hunters in the fall.
Hunting advisories
- Lands surrounding the unit are predominantly private. Please have good maps on hand and respect private property.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes shrubsteppe, dry grassland, and dry-mixed conifer forest, offering opportunties to view a variety of wildlife, including black bear, bobcat, cougar, mule deer, and golden eagles.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Other recreational opportunities
This unit offers opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature photography.
Conservation
Habitat types include shrubsteppe, riparian, and small pockets of Ponderosa pine savanna and dry-mixed conifer forest. Two unnamed creeks maintain robust riparian vegetation.
Conservation goals
- Maintain and enhance game and upland bird habitat
- Restore degraded shrubsteppe habitat
Land stewardship
The Carter Mountain Unit property was purchased for mule deer wintering habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 2009 and 2011.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| State of Washington | Legislative Appropriation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
Management planning
2017 Scotch Creek and Sinlahekin Wildlife Areas Management Plan
In 2017, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife updated the management plan for the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area, which encompasses 23, 980 acres in Okanogan County, and the nearby Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in north central Washington. The plan, called the Scotch Creek & Sinlahekin Wildlife Area Management Plan, addresses the status of wildlife species and their habitat, ongoing restoration efforts and public recreation opportunities at both Scotch Creek and Sinlahekin wildlife areas. Every eight to 10 years, WDFW revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments.
Planning Advisory Committee
Okanogan Valley Wildlife Area Advisory Committee