The Central Ferry Canyon Unit offers extensive shrubsteppe habitat for mule deer, sharp-tailed grouse, dusky grouse, white-tailed jackrabbit, sage thrasher, Brewer's sparrows, ravens, and other wildlife. Due to its northern aspect and elevation gain (more than 1,500 feet), the unit also supports a mixed forest habitat type including aspen, birch, Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Hunter registration is required on this unit.
The Central Ferry Canyon Unit is located about 5 miles southwest of Brewster in Douglas County. The unit can be accessed from Central Ferry Canyon Road off of Crane Road south of Brewster.
The Central Ferry Canyon Unit is in the far northwest portion of the Columbia Plateau on the west side of broad geographic feature known as Dyer Hill. Surrounding land use primarily includes fruit orchards, dryland agricultural fields and rangeland.
This unit is part of the Wells Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 260
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:
- Three parking areas
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- Open fires are not permitted at any time during the year.
- Overnight parking and camping are allowed in established parking areas occurring primarily during the deer-hunting season in mid-October.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited other than in the parking areas.
- Ticks occur here--observe appropriate precautions.
Hunting
This area is in the Foster Creek Game Management Unit # 260. Mule deer is the primary big game species. Upland game birds include ring-necked pheasant, California quail, gray partridge, dusky grouse and chukar.
Hunting advisories
- Hunter registration is required on this unit. Registration cards and drop-boxes are located at each parking area. This program collects useful and necessary information on hunting and wildlife populations. The information collected is an important tool to evaluate management and improve hunting on the area.
- All lands in Washington State are CLOSED to the taking of sharp-tailed grouse and sage grouse. Upland bird hunters are advised that sharp-tailed grouse and sage grouse are protected species and may be found anywhere on the unit. Hunters should be alert to the presence of these birds on this area and be proficient at identifying them.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has diverse habitats, including extensive shrubsteppe, Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forest, quaking aspen and water birch groves, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, white-tailed jackrabbit, chukar, greater sage and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, Brewer's sparrow, sage thrasher, and ravens.
Winter affords the chance to find kinglets, pygmy nuthatches, red crossbills, and gray-crowned rosy finches.
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.
Wildlife viewing advisories
- Greater sage and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (state-listed endangered species) are sensitive to human disturbance. Do not flush or otherwise disturb these birds.
Other recreational opportunities
Interior service roads can be used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Conservation
The primary goal for the Bridgeport Bar Unit is to enhance and manage existing shrubsteppe habitat to benefit Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, as well as upland and big game habitat.
Special habitats and species
Stands of quaking aspen, water birch, Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir are contrasting forest habitat types interspersed within the area's shrubsteppe.
Conservation goals
- Protect and enhance habitat for big game wintering areas
- Protect and enhance habitat for state and federal listed species found on the wildlife area
- Provide habitat landscape connectivity
- Protect, maintain, and enhance shrubsteppe and riparian habitat
Stands of quaking aspen, water birch, Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir are contrasting forest habitat types interspersed within the area's shrubsteppe.
- Protect and enhance habitat for big game wintering areas
- Protect and enhance habitat for state and federal listed species found on the wildlife area
- Provide habitat landscape connectivity
- Protect, maintain, and enhance shrubsteppe and riparian habitat
Land stewardship
The Douglas County Public Utilities District No. 1 entered into a wildlife mitigation agreement with WDFW in 1974 as part of the Wells Hydroelectric Project Federal Energy Regulatory License. This agreement addressed the loss of wildlife caused by the construction of Wells Dam and led to the creation of the Wells Wildlife Area, including the Central Ferry Canyon Unit.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1975 and 2024.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Power, dike & irrigation districts | Mitigation Funds |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Wells Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (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. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.