The Chehalis Unit is maintained for waterfowl habitat and associated recreation. Flooding, which is common in the area, may restrict access. Most of the land owned by WDFW is open wetland, riparian shrub habitat, or meadow/field habitat. Limited farming and efforts to increase open water habitat improve waterfowl forage and use of the area.
The Chehalis Unit is located about 2.5 miles southwest of Elma in Grays Harbor County. The unit is accessed from Schouweiler Road off of Highway 12.
The Chehalis Unit is located in Pacific Northwest Coast in the Lower Chehalis River watershed. It is bordered by Hansen Creek to the west and Vance Creek to the south. A rock quarry is located on the northeast border of the wildlife area and agricultural land surrounds much of the rest of the area.
This unit is part of the Chehalis Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 660
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:
- ADA parking area
- Restroom
- ADA access trail to ADA hunting blind (As of Dec. 28, 2023, the ADA hunting blind on this unit is closed due to fire damage. There is currently no timeline for when it might reopen.)
Recreation and access advisories
- Flooding, which is common in the area, may restrict access
- Overnight parking and camping are prohibited
- Parking and pedestrian use is prohibited along U.S. Highway 12 except in emergency circumstances
Hunting
The Chehalis Unit is popular for waterfowl hunting, but a variety of other game species give hunters much opportunity.
This unit offers an ADA hunting blind and associated ADA access trail.
Hunting advisories
- It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot when hunting for waterfowl, coot, or snipe (WAC 220-414-040).
Wildlife viewing
This unit has open wetland, meadow/field, and riparian shrub habitats, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including mink, osprey, wood duck, trumpeter swan, shorebirds, waterfowl, and the Olympic mudminnow.
An ADA trail accesses an ADA hunting/viewing blind that offers opportunities for observing wildlife.
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.
Other recreational opportunities
Trails offer hiking opportunities.
An ADA trail accesses an ADA hunting/viewing blind that offers opportunities for nature photography.
Conservation
Most of the land owned by the department is best characterized as open wetland, riparian shrub habitat, or meadow/field habitat. The habitats are interspersed and thus allow for an abundance of species.
Conservation goals
- Maintain habitat for upland birds
- Manage for waterfowl and species diversity
Land stewardship
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1967 and 2023.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Power, dike & irrigation districts | Mitigation Funds |
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | North American Wetlands Conservation Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | State Migratory Waterfowl Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Coastal Restoration Initiative |
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.