The 5 Methow Wildlife Area Units listed for partial closure include Texas Creek, Golden Doe, Big Buck, Methow, and Rendezvous. See map below. Areas to be closed within those units will be thoroughly delineated with closure signs and maps detailing the closure boundaries. No public access will be permitted within the closure boundaries. The closure will begin at 12:01 a.m. on December 15th, 2024 and end at 11:59 p.m. on March 31st, 2025.
Public Access Management (PAM)
Winter Range Disturbance Fact Sheet
Don’t hike so close to me: How the presence of humans can disturb wildlife up to half a mile away
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Golden Doe Valley
Restoration notice
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a prescribed burn of the Golden Doe Unit of Methow Wildlife Area on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Staff will be conducting restoration actions on the burned area throughout spring and summer 2024.
The Golden Doe unit was acquired for mule deer winter range and the biodiversity of its large riparian areas on the Methow River. It is bordered to the northwest by U.S. Forest Service lands and by private property to the southwest.
The Golden Doe unit is located about 5 miles south of Twisp in Okanogan County. The unit can be accessed from a small road that crosses over Alder Creek off of Old Twisp-Carlton Highway.
The Golden Doe Unit lies within Methow River watershed. It is bordered to the northwest by U.S. Forest Service lands and by private property to the southwest.
This unit is part of the Methow Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 242
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 end of road
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- No motorized access is permitted beyond the parking area.
- No parking access during winter months.
Hunting
On this unit, hunters may find opportunities to harvest black bear, cougar, deer, waterfowl, Eurasian collared dove, forest grouse, gray (Hungarian) partridge, moose, mourning dove, quail, small game, and turkey.
Fishing
The Methow River and Alder Creek provide fishing opportunities on this unit. Check out Bendtsen water access site.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes large riparian areas on the Methow River and bitterbrush and bunchgrasses, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including mule deer.
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
Primarily east- and south-facing slopes are dominated by bitterbrush and bunchgrasses along the east face of McClure Mountain. Alder Creek bisects the unit from northwest to southeast. A large riparian area on the east side of the Methow River, known as Prewitt Island, is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
Special habitats and species
Riparian areas along the Methow River provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife species.
Conservation goals
- Create, restore, and enhance a mosaic of habitat
- Maintain and restore native plant communities
- Manage for species diversity including game and nongame species
- Manage mule deer winter range
Riparian areas along the Methow River provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife species.
- Create, restore, and enhance a mosaic of habitat
- Maintain and restore native plant communities
- Manage for species diversity including game and nongame species
- Manage mule deer winter range
Land stewardship
The Golden Doe Unit was acquired for mule deer winter range and biodiversity associated with the large riparian areas on the Methow River.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1974 and 2024.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Salmon Recovery Fund |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Methow 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.