Campfires are restricted year-round on the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
The Windmill Ranch Unit consists of 4 separate parcels offering agriculture, shrubsteppe, grasslands, ponds, wetlands and riparian timber. This area offers excellent upland and waterfowl hunting. Fields crops are grown for the benefit of wintering waterfowl and migrating Sandhill cranes, and milkweed on this unit provides habitat for Monarch butterflies.
The Windmill Ranch Unit is located 3 miles northwest of Mesa in Franklin County. The unit can be accessed from Colonial Road off of State Route 170, and from Merion Road off of Highway 17.
The Windmill Ranch Unit is located within the Upper Columbia-Priest Rapids watershed in the Columbia Plateau.
This unit is part of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 379
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:
- Gravel parking areas
- No restroom
- Informational kiosk
Recreation and access advisories
- 8-car limit in the parking areas during hunting seasons.
- Visitors must register on site when arriving, and report their activity before leaving.
- No motorized access outside of parking areas.
- No open fires permitted.
- No overnight camping permitted.
- See kiosk for further information and restrictions.
Hunting
This unit provides excellent upland and waterfowl hunting.
Hunting advisories
- It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040).
- This unit is a Register to Hunt site.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has diverse habitats, including shrubsteppe, grasslands, ponds, wetlands and wooded riparian, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife; managed agricultural fields benefit wintering waterfowl and migrating Sandhill cranes.
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
This unit is a mix of agriculture and native habitats. Fields grow crops for the benefit of wintering waterfowl and migrating Sandhill cranes. Milkweed on this unit provides habitat for Monarch butterflies.
Special habitats and species
This unit contains channel scablands and a mosiac of shrubsteppe, grasslands, ponds, wetlands and riparian. The wetlands, primarily formed by irrigation seepage, wastewater, and return flows, are scattered throughout the property. Some are intensively managed for moist soil conditions, waterfowl production, and winter food.
Conservation goals
- Maintain agriculture leases to benefit migrating waterfowl, upland birds, and Sandhill cranes
- Maintain and increase moist soil management
- Maintain and restore shrubsteppe, upland and floodplain habitat
- Protect and enhance habitat for state and federal listed species
- Maintain and restore wetland habitat
This unit contains channel scablands and a mosiac of shrubsteppe, grasslands, ponds, wetlands and riparian. The wetlands, primarily formed by irrigation seepage, wastewater, and return flows, are scattered throughout the property. Some are intensively managed for moist soil conditions, waterfowl production, and winter food.
- Maintain agriculture leases to benefit migrating waterfowl, upland birds, and Sandhill cranes
- Maintain and increase moist soil management
- Maintain and restore shrubsteppe, upland and floodplain habitat
- Protect and enhance habitat for state and federal listed species
- Maintain and restore wetland habitat
Land stewardship
The Windmill Ranch Unit was acquired as mitigation for dams on the Snake River.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1993 and 2020.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Army Corps of Engineers | Snake River Mitigation Account |
Management planning
2020 Sunnyside-Snake River 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.
Planning Advisory Committee
Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Advisory Committee