The West Foster Creek Unit offers shrubsteppe habitat for mule deer, sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, white-tailed jackrabbit, sage thrasher, Brewer's sparrow, raven, and other wildlife. Hunter registration is required on this unit.
The West Foster Creek Unit is located about 5 miles south of Bridgeport in Douglas County. The unit can be accessed from Bridgeport Hill Road off of Highway 17.
The West Foster Creek Unit is in the far northwest portion of the Columbia Plateau on the east side of broad geographic feature know as Dyer Hill. Surrounding land use is dryland agricultural fields and rangeland
This unit is part of the Wells Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 262, 260
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:
- Three parking areas
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- Open fires are not permitted at any time during the year.
- Overnight parking and camping are allowed in established parking areas occurring primarily during the deer-hunting season in mid-October.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited other than in the parking areas.
- Ticks occur here--observe appropriate precautions.
- Rattlesnakes may be encountered anytime in spring and summer--observe appropriate precautions (PDF).
Hunting
This area is in the Foster Creek Game Management Unit # 260. Mule deer hunting is popular, so expect crowded conditions during the modern firearm season, especially opening weekend. Upland game birds include ring-necked pheasant, California quail, gray partridge, dusky grouse and chukar.
Hunting advisories
- Hunter registration is required on this unit. Registration cards and drop-boxes are located at each parking area. This program collects useful and necessary information on hunting and wildlife populations. The information collected is an important tool to evaluate management and improve hunting on the area.
- All lands in Washington State are CLOSED to the taking of sharp-tailed grouse and sage grouse. Upland bird hunters are advised that sharp-tailed grouse and sage grouse are protected species and may be found anywhere on the unit. Hunters should be alert to the presence of these birds on this area and be proficient at identifying them.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has shrubsteppe, meadow, wetland, and riparian habitat, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, white-tailed jackrabbit, chukar, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, gray partridge, ring-necked pheasant, California quail, Brewer's sparrow and raven.
In winter, water birch and other woody species provide habitat for Columbian sharp-tailed grouse.
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
- Greater sage grouse (state-listed threatened species and Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (state-listed endangered species) are sensitive to human disturbance. Do not flush or otherwise disturb these birds.
Other recreational opportunities
Interior service roads can be used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Conservation
This unit is mostly native habitats; fields that used to be cultivated have been restored to shrubsteppe and riparian vegetation. Beaver activity has increased wetland habitat.
Conservation goals
- Manage for species diversity including shrubsteppe obligates and other priority species.
- Protect and restore native plant communities that support sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage grouse, and other shrubsteppe obligates.
- Maintain and enhance mule deer habitat
Land stewardship
The Douglas County Public Utilities District No. 1 entered into a wildlife mitigation agreement with WDFW in 1974 as part of the Wells Hydroelectric Project Federal Energy Regulatory License. This agreement addressed the loss of wildlife caused by the construction of Wells Dam and led to the creation of the Wells Wildlife Area, including the West Foster Creek Unit.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 1975.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Power, dike & irrigation districts | Mitigation Funds |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Wells 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.