Annual target shooting restrictions take effect at Wenas Wildlife Area near Yakima

YAKIMA – To reduce the risk of wildfires, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will again restrict target shooting on the 105,000-acre Wenas Wildlife Area near Yakima and Ellensburg.

The restriction, which will be in effect May 6 through potentially Sept. 30, will limit target shooting to the hours between sunrise and 10 a.m., when the risk of starting a wildfire is less severe. WDFW may lift the restriction before Sept. 30 if weather conditions allow.

Public notice of the limited hours will be posted at all entry points and at other target shooting sites on the wildlife area. In addition, the area around the Sheep Company Rd target shooting site continues to be closed for construction activity that will provide improved target shooting opportunities when complete.

The department has restricted target shooting every summer since 2012, with the support of the community based Wenas Wildlife Area Advisory Committee, said Cindi Confer Morris, WDFW wildlife area manager.

"We are implementing these restrictions earlier than normal to reduce the risk of wildfires and the need for firefighters to respond during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Confer Morris. “Target shooting has caused numerous wildfires at the Wenas Wildlife Area in the past, so it’s also important these restrictions are in place now as conditions get hotter and vegetation dries out.” 

WDFW is coordinating the restrictions with the Department of Natural Resources, the state agency responsible for wildfire suppression response. State land managers ask that all visitors to the wildlife area take precautions to avoid igniting a wildfire.

Information about local fire danger is available at https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/.

For more information on WDFW wildlife areas, see the department's website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife actively manages about a million acres of land, with 33 wildlife areas and nearly 500 water access sites around the state. These public lands help sustain wildlife habitat and public recreation opportunities for current and future generations. WDFW is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.