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 Entiat Unit is comprised of several parcels that vary widely in elevation and aspect, supporting diverse habitats and species. All parcels provide critical winter range for the Chelan County mule deer herd.
The Entiat Unit is located about 9 miles south of Chelan in Chelan County. The unit can be accessed from secondary roads off of Highway 97 A.
The Entiat Unit is located north of the town of Entiat extending north to Knapp Coulee. The surrounding landownership is primarily U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and Department of Natural Resources. Closer to the Columbia River, rural residences and agriculture surround the parcels.
This unit is part of the Chelan Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 250, 247
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
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- All bicycles are restricted to established roads.
- All walk-in access (e.g., hiking, snowshoeing, shed antler hunting) is discouraged from Feb. 1 through March 31 to protect wintering mule deer.
- Snowmobiling is prohibited.
- Oklahoma Gulch Road is closed by Chelan County from Nov 15 to March 15. Access Road to the Knowles area (between Navarre and Knapp Coulee) is closed Jan. 30 through May 15.
Hunting
Mule deer is the primary hunting focus on this unit. Upland game birds using the area include chukar, gray partridge, blue grouse and California quail.
Wildlife viewing
This unit offers opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, chukar, coyote, golden and bald eagles blue grouse, and California quail.
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
- All walk-in access (e.g., hiking, snowshoeing, shed antler hunting) is discouraged from Feb. 1 through March 31 to protect wintering mule deer.
Other recreational opportunities
The Entiat Unit parcels adjoin other state and federal public lands that add to the opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping opportunities. Locations for safe target shooting can be found on the unit.
Shed antler hunting is a popular spring activity on areas where mule congregated during winter.
Conservation
The variation in elevation and topography lead to the high quality winter range for Chelan County mule deer. Cliffs on and adjacent to the unit provide nesting sites for golden eagles and peregrine falcons.
Special habitats and species
Lewis' woodpecker exists on Ponderosa pine sites, and the forested areas of the unit are within the historic range of the western gray squirrel.
Conservation goals
- Develop a plan for shrubsteppe and grassland restoration on the wildlife area
- Improve ecological integrity of forests while maintaining and/or improving habitat for wildlife
- Include butterflies and other pollinator species in habitat management activities
- Maintain and enhance big game habitat
- Maintain and enhance upland bird habitat
Lewis' woodpecker exists on Ponderosa pine sites, and the forested areas of the unit are within the historic range of the western gray squirrel.
- Develop a plan for shrubsteppe and grassland restoration on the wildlife area
- Improve ecological integrity of forests while maintaining and/or improving habitat for wildlife
- Include butterflies and other pollinator species in habitat management activities
- Maintain and enhance big game habitat
- Maintain and enhance upland bird habitat
Land stewardship
The Entiat Unit originated from funding that WDFW received for acquisition and development of public fishing and hunting areas, and fishing and hunting improvement projects in Chelan County adjacent to the Rocky Reach reservoir as part of the original settlement agreement with the Chelan Public Utilities District. The agreement provides mitigation for loss of wildlife habitat by the construction and operation of the Rocky Reach Hydroelectric Project on the Columbia River. Acres have been added to the unit over time.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1965 and 2024.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Power, dike & irrigation districts | Mitigation Funds |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
Management planning
2018 Chelan Wildlife Area Management Plan
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is developing a new management plan for the Chelan Wildlife Area. The wildlife area includes about 30,874 acres of land in Chelan and Okanogan counties. WDFW acquired most of the wildlife area property as a result of a 1963 agreement with the Chelan County PUD to lessen the impact of the Rocky Reach Dam project on wildlife. The department manages the area primarily for big game and upland game birds. Chelan Wildlife Area provides a great variety of recreational opportunities including hunting, photography, wildlife viewing, and camping. The wildlife area's numerous dirt roads, which are closed to motorized vehicles, offer good hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. The new plan will address the status of wildlife species and their habitat, ongoing restoration efforts, management challenges such as invasive species and public recreation opportunities at the wildlife area.
Planning Advisory Committee
Chelan Wildlife Area Advisory Committee