- The South Padilla Bay Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area consists of 278 acres of mostly agricultural land at the south end of Padilla Bay in Skagit County. The four parcels that make up the unit are leased to local area farmers who produce cash crops in the summer and plant cover crops in the fall for migratory waterfowl forage. On two of the parcels, the lessee is required to plant and leave unharvested crops (typically barley) for high-value waterfowl forage. These same two parcels support three waterfowl hunting blinds managed by WDFW’s Private Lands Access Program. Due to safety concerns and to reduce disturbance to foraging waterfowl, hunting on the unit is limited to these three blinds.
- Hood Canal (wa100.dnr.wa.gov)
Hood Canal is a long, narrow, glacially carved fjord located where the Puget Lowland meets the Olympic Mountains in western Washington. It’s a beautiful area, rich in great seafood and recreational opportunities, with abundant wild marine life. Shellfish farming provides oysters ready to eat from the local farmers or you can find your own on public beaches that allow harvesting. The waters are also known for scuba diving, boating, kayaking, fishing, crabbing, and shrimping. Hiking opportunities in the eastern foothills of the Olympic Mountains provide great panoramic views of the canal and the Puget Lowland. Hiking or driving up Mount Walker, near Quilcene, or hiking near Lake Cushman or up the Hamma Hamma River, provides stunning views and communion with nature in this tranquil part of Washington.
- Skagit Wildlife Area (wdfw.wa.gov)
The Skagit Wildlife Area contains 18,138 acres of wildlife habitat composed primarily of intertidal estuary, managed agricultural lands, and native habitats. The area is divided into 21 separate management units, the majority of which are scattered throughout the west half of Skagit County, with some in Island, Snohomish, and San Juan counties…