The Sherman Creek Unit is managed primarily to protect deer winter range habitat, but the unit contains many wildlife species that are dependent on managed Ponderosa pine forest habitat.
The Sherman Creek Unit is located about 3 miles northwest of Kettle Falls in Ferry County. The unit can be accessed from Highway 20 off of U.S. route 395.
This unit is at the lower end of the Sherman Creek Watershed, which begins at the Kettle Crest and flows 24 miles down to the Columbia River. Located along the west side of Lake Roosevelt, the unit is in the eastern foothills of the Kettle River Range. The unit lies between the Cascade Mountains and the Rocky Mountains which greatly influence weather patterns. Most of the land bordering the unit is part of the Colville National Forest administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
This unit is part of the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 121, 101, 111
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 at entrance, headquarters building, and at pheasant release site
- No restroom
- Informational kiosk
- Trails
Recreation and access advisories
- Daytime parking only.
- Several forest roads are closed annually to motor vehicle use from Dec. 1 through March 31.
Hunting
Mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, forest grouse and wild turkey are hunted here.
Pheasants are released annually on this unit to provide additional hunting opportunities.
Hunting advisories
- SAFETY ZONES have been established around the headquarters buildings, the Sherman Creek hatchery, and hay barn at the pheasant release site. No weapons may be discharged within these zones.
- WDFW releases pheasants on this unit. On all WDFW designated pheasant release sites it is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading), other than nontoxic shot, when hunting for upland game birds (pheasant, quail, chukar, and gray partridge), mourning doves, and band-tailed pigeons (WAC 220-414-040).
Wildlife viewing
This unit is mostly forest, dominated by Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, with open meadows, offering opportunties to view a variety of wildlife, including mule and white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
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
The Sherman Creek Unit is mostly forested, dominated by Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Forest is punctuated with open meadows covered by ceanothus. There are also 100 acres of irrigated alfalfa, which is hayed, and 5 to 10 acres of wildlife food plots.
Special habitats and species
Aspen habitat is present throughout the unit due to the seeps and springs that are scattered across the upland forest openings.
Conservation goals
- Manage for species diversity
- Improve and maintain fish populations
- Provide sustainable fish and wildlife related recreation
- Manage for upland birds
- Protect and restore riparian habitat
- Maintain big game populations
- See WDFW's Forest Health Story Map for more information about work happening on the unit.
Aspen habitat is present throughout the unit due to the seeps and springs that are scattered across the upland forest openings.
- Manage for species diversity
- Improve and maintain fish populations
- Provide sustainable fish and wildlife related recreation
- Manage for upland birds
- Protect and restore riparian habitat
- Maintain big game populations
- See WDFW's Forest Health Story Map for more information about work happening on the unit.
Land stewardship
The Sherman Creek Unit was acquired to protect deer winter range and provide wildlife-related recreation.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1948 and 2020.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
Management planning
2006 Sherman Creek 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.