The Ocean Shores Airport Unit is located on the east side of the Ocean Shores peninsula in Grays Harbor County. It is a popular waterfowl hunting spot. It is also offers excellent year-round birding opportunities. Spring and fall bird migrations are spectacular. This unit is maintained in a natural state and primarily managed for hunting opportunities.
The Ocean Shores Airport Unit is located on the east side of the Ocean Shores Peninsula of Grays Harbor in Grays Harbor County. The unit can be accessed from the Ocean Shores Airport visitor parking area.
The Ocean Shores Airport Unit is in the Grays Harbor watershed. Surrounding lands include private residential, Duck Lake, and tidelands.
This unit is part of the Johns River Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 642
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 at Ocean Shores Airport visitor parking lot
- No restrooms
- A sign with instructions and rules for traveling to the wildlife area unit is in parking lot
Recreation and access advisories
- Overnight parking and camping is prohibited
- This site is accessed through the Ocean Shores Airport; visitors should park in the airport visitor parking area
Hunting
This unit is popular for waterfowl hunting
Hunting advisories
- Hunting is restricted to shotguns using birdshot only (Ocean Shores Municipal Code 8.20.020)
- Hunting of game other than waterfowl and upland game birds is prohibited (Ocean Shores Municipal Code 8.20.010)
Wildlife viewing
This unit is maintained in its natural state, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl.
This unit has excellent birdwatching opportunities year-round, but particularly during spring and fall migrations.
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.
Conservation
Conservation goals
- Manage for waterfowl and species diversity
- Protect and restore estuary and freshwater wetlands
Land stewardship
The Ocean Shores Airport Unit was established to maintain hunting access and keep property adjacent to the airport in a natural state.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 1985.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| City or Town | Mitigation Funds |
Management planning
2006 Olympic-Willapa Hills 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.