This unit has limited access due to no available parking.
The Wynoochee Mitigation Unit, located along the Wynoochee River, is popular during hunting season and used throughout the year for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Since 1992, WDFW has managed this land owned by Tacoma Power as elk winter forage habitat as mitigation for the loss of habitat from the Wynoochee dam and reservoir.
The Wynoochee Mitigation Unit is located along the Wynoochee River, 25 miles north of Montesano, in Grays Harbor County.
The Wynoochee Mitigation Unit occurs in the Lower Chehalis River watershed within the Pacific Northwest Coast. Surrounding land use is predominantly industrial timber production.
This unit is part of the Olympic Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 648
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:
- No improved parking
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Camping and overnight parking are prohibited
- This area consists of numerous land parcels scattered throughout the Wynoochee River drainage
Hunting
Hunters may find opportunity to harvest deer, elk, and small game on this unit.
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)
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes forests and fields, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including elk, bald eagle, and ruffed and blue grouse.
Wildlife viewing is offered year-round.
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
This unit offers year-round opportunities for hiking and biking.
Conservation
This unit is a mix of mostly forest and scattered small fields, managed as elk winter forage habitat. Predominant native habitats include Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple forest. The unit is also home to lower canopy and groundcover species including trailing blackberry, salmonberry, fireweed, vine maple, cascara, salal, and other valuable, herbaceous forage plants.
Special habitats and species
Although the purchase of the area was intended for management of elk, management has also increased upland bird use and provides habitat for various other species of wildlife. Bald eagles frequent the area and ruffed and blue grouse are common. Salmon and other fish species occupy the rivers. These areas are popular during hunting season and used thoughout the year for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing.
Conservation goals
- Improving and expanding the amount of elk winter forage
Although the purchase of the area was intended for management of elk, management has also increased upland bird use and provides habitat for various other species of wildlife. Bald eagles frequent the area and ruffed and blue grouse are common. Salmon and other fish species occupy the rivers. These areas are popular during hunting season and used thoughout the year for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing.
- Improving and expanding the amount of elk winter forage
Land stewardship
The Wynoochee Mitigation Unit is owned by Tacoma Power and has been managed by WDFW since 1992 to provide elk forage as mitigation for the loss of habitat from the Wynoochee dam and reservoir.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1951 and 1992.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
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.