Selected official alerts
15
WDFW-managed land access
These notices change where or how a hunter can travel on WDFW property. They do not replace season, species, weapon, private-land, DNR, federal, county, or emergency fire rules.
All public access closed
Island Unit closed for construction
In effect
July 1, 2026 through fall 2028
WDFW Closure
Verified
AreaIsland Unit, Skagit Wildlife Area, southwestern Skagit County
Game management unit407
RestrictionThe entire Island Unit is closed to all public access. The unit normally provides boat-only access and is a popular waterfowl hunting area.
Why: Construction for a 270-acre estuary restoration project.
Before you huntDo not plan to enter or hunt the Island Unit. Check WDFW for intermittent closures at the neighboring Skagit Headquarters boat launch.
Motorized route closed
Part of Jacknife Ridge Road closed
In effect
July 10 through November 13, 2026
WDFW Closure
Verified
AreaQuilomene and Whiskey Dick units, L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, Kittitas County
Game management unit329
RestrictionA half mile of Jacknife Ridge Road is closed to motorized use for public safety.
Why: Temporary public-safety road closure.
Before you huntPlan a route that does not depend on driving this section. Other motorized travel rules, including Green Dot restrictions, still apply.
Area closed
Teanaway Valley thinning closure
In effect
June 22 through October 15, 2026
WDFW Closure
Verified
AreaTeanaway Valley Unit, L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, Kittitas County
Game management unit335
RestrictionA 100-acre portion of the Teanaway Valley Unit is closed during forest-thinning work.
Why: Active forest-thinning operations.
Before you huntCheck the WDFW unit notice before choosing an access point or route through the Teanaway Valley Unit.
Fire and vehicle restrictions
Eastern Washington fire restrictions
In effect until further notice
June 15, 2026 until further notice
AreaWDFW-managed lands in Eastern Washington
Game management unitMany eastern GMUs
RestrictionCampfires are prohibited, smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, and motor vehicles must stay on developed roads. From August 16 through September 15, target shooting is prohibited on all affected WDFW lands. Lawful hunting is exempt from the firearm discharge restriction unless otherwise posted.
Why: Wildfire prevention during dry conditions and statewide drought.
Before you huntStay on developed roads, park only in allowed areas, and do not build a campfire. Confirm current restrictions before departure because WDFW may change them without a fixed end date.
Year-round campfire restriction
Sunnyside-Snake River campfire ban
Always in effect
Year-round
WDFW Information
Verified
AreaAll 15 units of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area in Benton, Franklin, and Yakima counties
Game management unit372, 373, 379, 381
RestrictionCampfires are prohibited year-round across the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area. Seasonal Eastern Washington fire restrictions may add limits on smoking, motor vehicles, chainsaws, welding, and firearm discharge outside lawful hunting.
Why: Permanent wildfire prevention rules for this dry Columbia Basin wildlife area.
Before you huntDo not plan a campfire in any Sunnyside-Snake River unit, even outside the seasonal fire-restriction period. Check the current statewide fire notice for any added restrictions before departure.
Wildfire access caution
Chelan Wildlife Area access affected
In effect
August 10 through September 30, 2026
WDFW Caution
Verified
AreaEntiat and White River units, Chelan Wildlife Area, Chelan County
Game management unit245, 247, 250
RestrictionWildfire management has blocked some access roads to the Entiat Unit, and county evacuation zones affect the area. As of September 2, WDFW still lists Knowles Road as temporarily closed even though its anticipated September 1 opening date has passed.
Why: Recent wildfire activity and active fire response.
Before you huntDo not rely on your usual access route. Check road closures and evacuation zones before departure, and turn around at closed roads.
Road and parking area closed
Part of Skokomish Unit closed
In effect
June 1 through October 1, 2026
WDFW Closure
Verified
AreaSkokomish Unit along North Sunnyside Road, Mason County
Game management unit633, 636
RestrictionThe portion of the Skokomish Unit along North Sunnyside Road, including the parking area, is closed.
Why: Mason Conservation District salmon-habitat restoration and construction of a new parking area.
Before you huntDo not use North Sunnyside Road or its parking area to access the unit. Confirm the closure before planning a waterfowl trip.
Partial area closed
Big Valley sandhill crane closure
In effect
Listed end in 12 days
April 1 through September 14, 2026
WDFW Closure
Verified
AreaPart of Big Valley Unit, Methow Wildlife Area, Okanogan County
Game management unit218, 231
RestrictionA signed portion of the Big Valley Unit is closed to public access to protect nesting sandhill cranes.
Why: Protection of nesting sandhill cranes and their core habitat.
Before you huntStay outside the signed closure boundary. Use WDFW's alert page and closure map to confirm which part of the unit remains open.
Intermittent access closures
Skagit Headquarters access may close
Check before each trip
June 2026 through fall 2028
AreaSkagit Headquarters Unit and boat launch, Skagit County
Game management unit407
RestrictionThe access road, parking area, and boat launch will close intermittently while contractors move heavy equipment and materials to the neighboring Island Unit.
Why: Staging and transport for the Island Unit estuary-restoration project.
Before you huntCheck WDFW immediately before using the Wiley Slough launch. Stay outside signed closure areas and clear of heavy equipment on Wylie Road.
Boat launch closed
Chehalis River-Oakville launch closed
In effect until further notice
December 29, 2025 until further notice
AreaChehalis River-Oakville access, Davis Creek Unit, Grays Harbor County
Game management unit660
RestrictionThe Chehalis River-Oakville boat launch is closed after flooding eroded the site. WDFW will keep the launch closed while it monitors the damage.
Still availableThe Davis Creek Unit remains accessible from South Bank Road off Highway 12. The closure notice applies to the boat launch.
Why: Flood erosion created a public-safety risk at the launch.
Before you huntDo not plan to launch a boat at Oakville. Use South Bank Road for land access to the Davis Creek Unit and check the official notice before hunting GMU 660.
Private parcel closed to hunting
Port parcel inside Nelson Unit boundary closed
In effect until further notice
November 20, 2025 until further notice
WDFW Information
Verified
AreaPort of Kalama parcel on the south side of the Kalama River, inside the Nelson Unit boundary, Cowlitz County
Game management unit564
RestrictionThe horseshoe-shaped Port of Kalama parcel is inside the Nelson Unit boundary but is closed to public hunting access. Hunters must follow posted property and safety restrictions.
Still availableThe 103-acre WDFW Nelson Unit supports waterfowl hunting, but it is accessible only by boat and has no developed parking.
Why: The parcel belongs to the Port of Kalama and is not open to public hunting.
Before you huntDo not treat the full Nelson Unit boundary as huntable land. Identify the Port parcel before launching and stay outside its posted boundary.
Partial access closure
Leque Island habitat-work closure
In effect
July 1 through September 30, 2026
WDFW Caution
Verified
AreaLeque Island Unit, Skagit Wildlife Area, Snohomish County
Game management unit407
RestrictionIntertidal areas southwest of the Eide Road dike walking trail and south of Davis Slough Water Access Area are closed, including all informal trails beyond the dike trail. Parking areas and the dike trail remain open.
Still availableThe parking areas and Eide Road dike walking trail remain open.
Why: Public safety during a Stillaguamish Tribe-led salmon-habitat project using trucks and heavy equipment.
Before you huntStay on the open dike trail and outside posted closure areas. Do not approach trucks or heavy equipment, and recheck the notice before a September trip.
Intermittent drone operations
Chiliwist and Sinlahekin drone weed treatment
Intermittent
May through early October 2026
WDFW Information
Verified
AreaChiliwist Unit, Sinlahekin Wildlife Area, and Sinlahekin Unit
Game management unit204, 209, 215, 233, 239
RestrictionWDFW will intermittently use drones to map vegetation and apply approved herbicides on WDFW-managed land. Signs will be posted at public access points during active operations.
Why: Mapping and targeted treatment of noxious and nuisance weeds.
Before you huntFollow posted instructions and keep clear of active drone treatment work. Recheck the notice if you plan to use the Chiliwist or Sinlahekin units in September or early October.
Intermittent drone operations
North Puget Sound drone weed treatment
Intermittent
May 21 through October 9, 2026
WDFW Information
Verified
AreaEbey Island; Leque Island; Skagit Headquarters, Island, Estuary, and Milltown units; Lake Terrell; and Nooksack
Game management unit407, 410, 421
RestrictionWDFW will intermittently fly drones to map vegetation and apply approved herbicides on eight North Puget Sound wildlife area units. Signs will be posted at public access points during active operations.
Why: Mapping and targeted treatment of noxious and nuisance weeds.
Before you huntExpect intermittent drone activity and follow posted instructions around active treatment work. WDFW schedules the flights to finish before waterfowl hunting seasons begin.
Intermittent drone operations
Olympic and South Puget Sound drone weed treatment
Intermittent
June 2 through October 31, 2026
WDFW Information
Verified
AreaDungeness and Zella Schultz units, North Olympic Wildlife Area; Union River Unit, South Puget Sound Wildlife Area
Game management unit621, 624, 627, 633
RestrictionWDFW will use drones to photograph and treat noxious weeds on three wildlife area units. Signs will be posted at public access points during the work.
Why: Mapping and treatment of noxious weeds.
Before you huntCheck posted signs and keep clear of active drone treatment work. WDFW expects the flights to finish before waterfowl hunting seasons begin.