Wanaket Wildlife Area

WANAKET (Water in Trees) is managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) to provide wildlife habitat protection, enhancement, and mitigation. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), working with the Northwest Power Planning Council, purchased the property in 1992 as partial mitigation for the impacts associated with the construction of McNary Dam and the inundation of wildlife habitats by Lake Wallula.

Wanaket is located two miles east of the Junction of Oregon Highways 395 and 730 on Highway 730. The area includes over 2,700 acres of upland, wetland and aquatic habitats including many important natural and cultural resources.

Seasons and bag limits -- click the link for a PDF file that shows the seasons and bag limits

Hunting is in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations. Hunters should consult the Oregon Game Bird Regulations. Special area regulations also apply.

Species
Only waterfowl (geese, ducks, snipe, coots) and upland birds (pheasant, quail, partridge, and chukar) may be hunted.

Hunt Days
Hunting is Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Wanaket is closed to public access Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Waterfowl Hunting - Daily Registration
Waterfowl hunting is permitted only by daily drawing on scheduled hunt days. Permit drawing is conducted one hour before the published shooting time at the Hunter Check Station. Waterfowl hunting is limited to 15 hunting parties (4 people maximum, including non-hunters). Hunters must be present to participate in the drawing. Hunters must hunt at the hunt pond selected during the drawing. Waterfowl hunters must be present to participate in the drawing and must possess a permit to hunt. Permits must be returned after hunting. Self-service drop boxes are available at the Hunter Check Station and the Information Booth

Upland bird hunting is not allowed until after 12:00 noon
Wanaket is open to upland bird hunting from 12:00 noon to close of published shooting hours. No drawing is required for upland bird hunting, but hunters must possess and return a Daily Upland Hunt Permit. Self-serve permits are available at the Hunter Check Station and Information Booth, and must be returned to the drop boxes at the same locations.

Weapons & Ammunition
Shotgun and bow & flu-flu arrow hunting are permitted. Only non-toxic shot may be possessed or used. Hunters may not possess more than 25 shells per day.

Temporary Blinds
Portable blinds may be used. Temporary blinds must be constructed of natural materials. Digging of pit blinds is prohibited. Waterfowl hunters must hunt at designated ponds.

Camping, Fires and Boat Use
Camping, fires, and the use of boats or other watercraft is prohibited.

Access

Roads on the Wanaket Columbia Basin Wildlife Area are closed to general motorized vehicle use. Designated parking areas are signed for hunt program participants. Nine parking areas (including the check station and Information Booth) provide access for waterfowl and upland bird hunting. Vehicle use is restricted to these parking areas.

Handicapped access is available on ponds 6 and 13 for hunters with State Disabled Hunter Permits. Hunters utilizing motorized access are allowed two round-trips with a motor vehicle and should attempt to minimize disturbance to other blinds and to waterfowl. Pond 6 may be accessed from McNary Beach Road, and Pond 13 from the Hunter Check Station.

The most convenient parking areas for designated hunt ponds are as follows:

 

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