Popular activities on the Davis Creek Unit include hunting for waterfowl, deer, elk, and doves. The site also hosts numerous specially permitted events for dog field trials and training. There is Chehalis River access for fishing on the eastern boundary of the property. This unit is an excellent birding area and is recognized by the Puget Lowlands Riparian Bird Conservation Area as a priority habitat.
The Davis Creek Unit is located just outside of Oakville in Grays Harbor County. The unit can be accessed from South Bank Road (State Street) off of Highway 12 south of Oakville.
The Davis Creek Unit is in the Upper Chehalis River watershed.
This unit is part of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 660
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
- Restroom
- Informational kiosk
Recreation and access advisories
- Horseback riding is restricted to existing roads, except as allowed by WDFW permit.
- Open fires and fireworks are prohibited.
- Overnight parking and camping are prohibited.
- Bird dog training may be conducted at this unit; contact the wildlife area manager for conditions and more information.
- Dog field trials are by permit only: WDFW Field Trial Permit Application and Information and Field Trial Rules (PDF) apply. See Field Trial/Dog Event Calendar (PDF) for more information.
- This unit is a former dairy farm and portions of the unit are still farmed. Please be courteous and follow all rules and conditions. Administrative and farm buildings on site are closed to the public.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes open wetland, off-channel sloughs, riparian shrub habitat, meadows/fields, and Oregon white oak woodland, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including bobcat, coyote, bobcat, deer, elk, fox, dove, trumpeter swan, Olympic mud minnow, and abundant waterfowl.
This is an excellent birding area and is recognized as a priority habitat. It is also part of a Puget Lowlands Riparian Bird Conservation Area.
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
The unit offers opportunities for horseback riding as well as bird dog training and dog field trials.
Conservation
This unit is a mix of native habitats and agriculture. When acquired, the site was a dairy farm, and some active farming continues. Predominant native habitats include: open wetland, riparian shrub habitat, meadow/field habitat, and Oregon white oak woodland.
Special habitats and species
This oak community is valuable to wildlife because of the acorn crop it produces. The various habitats on this unit are interspersed and thus allow for an abundance of diverse species. Species known to exist in the area include Olympic mud minnows, mink, shorebirds, elk, deer, fox, coyote, bobcat, grouse, abundant waterfowl, trumpeter swans, and a variety of salmon species.
Conservation goals
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
This oak community is valuable to wildlife because of the acorn crop it produces. The various habitats on this unit are interspersed and thus allow for an abundance of diverse species. Species known to exist in the area include Olympic mud minnows, mink, shorebirds, elk, deer, fox, coyote, bobcat, grouse, abundant waterfowl, trumpeter swans, and a variety of salmon species.
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
Land stewardship
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1964 and 2022.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | North American Wetlands Conservation Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | State Migratory Waterfowl Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Aquatic Species Restoration Plan |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2020 Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Management Plan
In 2020, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) updated the management plan for the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area. The management plan addresses the status of wildlife species in the area and their habitat, the progress of restoration efforts, and public recreation opportunities. 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
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Advisory Committee