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 Scotch Creek Unit is a major recreation area for deer hunting in the fall; hiking, biking and horseback riding are among other recreation activities also enjoyed here. The area is primarily shrubsteppe; several springs and two lakes are also located on the property. This unit was acquired primarily for the recovery of the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse with a focus of enhancement of shrubsteppe and riparian habitat.
The Scotch Creek Unit is located 10 miles northwest of Omak and 4 miles southeast of Conconully in Okanogan County. The unit can be accessed from Conconully Road, Happy Hill, Silver Hill, Woodward Road, and the Limebelt Roads.
The Scotch Creek Unit occurs in the Okanogan Watershed in the Columbia River Basin. Surrounding land use includes livestock grazing and agriculture. Surrounding public lands include U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Department of Natural Resources.
This unit is part of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 233
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:
- Undeveloped gravel parking area (large enough for trailer turn-around)
- No restroom
- Reader board.
- Coulee Creek Trailhead at Hess Lake parking area.
Recreation and access advisories
- Camping is permitted adjacent to established roads.
- Firewood can be gathered from downed dead wood only and must remain on the wildlife area.
- Motorized access is limited to county roads.
- Parking may be inaccessible during periods of heavy snow.
- Visitors should expect crowded conditions at all parking areas during the modern firearm deer season, especially opening weekend. Hunting pressure declines as the season progresses.
- Western rattlesnakes occur on this unit--take appropriate precautions (PDF) if encountering a rattlesnake.
Hunting
This unit is popular for mule deer hunting in the fall. Natural production of pheasants, quail, grey partridge (most abundant), chukar partridge, and dusky grouse occur here. Other wildlife species you may encounter include black bear, cougar, and bobcat.
Hunting advisories
- All lands in Washington are CLOSED to the taking of sharp-tailed grouse including all Scotch Creek Wildlife Area Units. The WDFW is very concerned with the accidental take of this protected species. Again, know your target before pulling the trigger.
- Expect crowded conditions at all parking areas during the modern firearm deer season, especially opening weekend. Hunting pressure declines as the season progresses.
- White-tailed deer are also present on the area, so know your rules and identify the species before pulling the trigger.
Fishing
While there are no fishing opportunities on the wildlife area unit, WDFW water access sites within driving distance offer fishing opportunities, including the Green Lake water access site.
Wildlife viewing
This unit is mostly shrubsteppe with some conifer forest and riparian habitat, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including black bear, bobcat, cougar, mule and white-tailed deer, bluebird, chukar, eagle, blue and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge, ring-necked pheasant, quail, upland birds, songbirds, and waterfowl.
During the winter, view deer roaming the hills and hawks soaring high above in the sky. In the spring, hear and see numerous songbirds and bluebirds. Wintering upland birds and waterfowl can be see in the riparian areas and ponds. The best time to see Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (a state-listed endangered species) is in winter along the Conconully Highway in the water birch and other riparian vegetation along Scotch Creek, especially after a heavy snow.
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
- Columbian sharp-tailed grouse are sensitive to human disturbance. Do not flush or otherwise disturb these birds.
- Expect crowded conditions at all parking areas during the modern firearm deer season, especially opening weekend. Hunting pressure declines as the season progresses.
- Western rattlesnakes occur on this unit--observe appropriate precautions (PDF).
Other recreational opportunities
This unit offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; while there are no developed trail systems, farm roads can be used as trails, and dispersed riding and hiking is allowed.
The unit's two gravel parking areas allow easy access for cars, or trucks with trailers AND offer non-motorized access to the unit through gates on the boundary fences.
Conservation
This unit is primarily shrubsteppe, with some conifer forest and riparian habitat, and 80 acres maintained in agriculture (sharecrop fields). To date, nearly all of the 1,500 acres of old dryland agricultural fields have been restored to native shrubsteppe habitat, providing diversity and nesting cover for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse. Over 100,000 trees and shrubs have also been planted in wet draws, north slopes, and are under irrigation to provide critical winter habitat for sharp-tailed grouse.
Special habitats and species
Shrubsteppe habitat provides critical habitat for sharp-tailed grouse on this unit. The sharp-tailed grouse population is increasing in the Scotch Creek basin. They winter in the water birch and other riparian vegetation along Scotch Creek, especially after a heavy snow.
Conservation goals
- Recover sharp-tailed grouse populations in the wildlife area to healthy, self-sustaining levels
- Develop a plan to survey and inventory all riparian ecosystems and restore degraded riparian habitat
- Implement the Forest Management Plan which identifies current forest habitats, conditions, and future management needs
- Restore degraded shrubsteppe habitat
Shrubsteppe habitat provides critical habitat for sharp-tailed grouse on this unit. The sharp-tailed grouse population is increasing in the Scotch Creek basin. They winter in the water birch and other riparian vegetation along Scotch Creek, especially after a heavy snow.
- Recover sharp-tailed grouse populations in the wildlife area to healthy, self-sustaining levels
- Develop a plan to survey and inventory all riparian ecosystems and restore degraded riparian habitat
- Implement the Forest Management Plan which identifies current forest habitats, conditions, and future management needs
- Restore degraded shrubsteppe habitat
Land stewardship
The Scotch Creek Unit was acquired primarily for the recovery of the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse and enhancement of shrubsteppe habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1991 and 2012.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration | Mitigation Funds |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | USFWS State Wildlife Grant Program |
| US National Park Service | Land and Water Conservation Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation 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