SPOKANE- Eighteen lucky hunters will have an opportunity to hunt for deer this fall on the 6,000-acre Charles and Mary Eder unit of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area in northeastern Okanogan County.

Hunters can apply for the “limited-entry” deer hunt on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) website or by contacting the WDFW North Central region office at (509) 754-4624.

“This free, annual drawing is a unique opportunity for a quality hunting experience in Washington,” said WDFW North Central Regional Director Brock Hoenes. “It is open to the public without any additional fees beyond the cost of a hunting license and the standard tags. This opportunity also allows the harvest of deer in an area where competition is limited.”

The deadline to apply is midnight Aug. 20, 2021. Eighteen applicants, chosen during a random drawing in late August, will receive access permits to the Charles and Mary Eder Unit near Oroville.

Of the 18 permits available this year, six will be reserved for bowhunters, six for muzzleloaders, and six for hunters using modern firearms.

Hunters can take only one deer, as authorized by their general hunting license.

The area is within Game Management Unit 204 with General Deer Seasons set for Sept. 1-24 for bow hunters, Sept. 25 to Oct. 3 for muzzleloaders, and Oct. 16-26 for hunters using modern firearms.

The results of the drawing will be available on WDFW’s website the last week of August. Hunters who are drawn will receive an access permit and a boundary map in the mail.

Due to the extreme wildfire danger this year, there is a chance these hunts could be canceled or further limited by emergency land closures.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish, wildlife, and recreational and commercial opportunities.