Scotch Creek Wildlife Area Charles and Mary Eder Unit

[Roperfive88]

My dad was one of the 6 selected for modern firearm season. Has anyone hunted this and have any pointers and what to expect for deer numbers?

[67 Halfcab]

I drew the same permit last year and saw a lot more than 5 other rifles walking around.  I'm guessing some of the locals don't obey the permit only access.  Only hunted the south side of the property and the climb out of the parking area is steep.  Get up early and start well before shooting light to get on top.  Walk slow, the ground is really noisy.  I only saw whitetails, almost all of them smaller 3 and 4 points (using the whitetail "count every point" system).  I would go into it thinking of it as a meat hunt. 

I did see one decent buck, but while glassing to make a stalking plan a guy walking 1000 yards to the right of me saw the same herd and knowingly ran diagonally to get in front of me and shot one of the smaller bucks.  Needless to say, even though all of the deer in the area ran away after his two shots, I didn't stop and offer to help him break down his deer.


I camped (slept in the back of my truck) in the parking area and was checked by the Border Patrol at about 10 PM opening day night.  After a day of hunting the pizza place in town tasted pretty good, also.

[MtnMuley]

Remember, there can be up to 12 hunters walking around in there each season, not just 6.

[Roperfive88]

Remember, there can be up to 12 hunters walking around in there each season, not just 6.

How are there 12 hunters in there?

[MtnMuley]

Because the tribe gives the same amount of tags to its members as WDFW gives to its hunters.

[bustedoldman]

My 17yr old daughter drew it as well, we’ll be heading up scouting soon. We will share intel with you.

[bornhunter]

Is it still private ground or state land?

[chukar14]

hello, I'm new to this forum (have been lurking for awhile) and new to deer hunting, I mostly hunt upland birds and waterfowl. I usually buy a deer tag every year to build up points. Anyway I put in for the eder unit and got drawn for Modern.  So I plan to give the area a try, and any advice anyone could give would be greatly appreciated.

[Sutherland]

Looking to see if anyone else has an archery tag to this area?

[CAMPMEAT]

Just because HUNTERS think ONLY they can be in a certain unit with special permits/tags, doesn't mean it's people free. ANYBODY can go onto public lands.

[Sutherland]

I totally understand that and was even wondering why they have that permit option. I guess I'm just a little confused on the area. Public land makes it so anyone can go hunt there I imagine?

[CAMPMEAT]

I totally understand that and was even wondering why they have that permit option. I guess I'm just a little confused on the area. Public land makes it so anyone can go hunt there I imagine?

That area is a weird one for sure. I could of gotten a disabled deer hunting permit there but it didn't have ATV access. I can't hike around at all anymore, hills kill my knees. It's just about roadless when I went and looked at it 7-8 years ago.

[papaonthemountain]

Southerland... The Eder unit is Wildlife land with Jr. Eder retaining private property inside of the Wildlife property. Jr.'s land is off limits, which as it lays makes access onto the Wildlife land a bit more difficult.  You cannot just drive the road going into Jr.'s house and smack a deer in the alfalfa fields.  Hunting for deer is only allowed for those folks who draw permits and of course whatever permits the tribe gives out.  I did measure a B&C whitetail that came off the property many, many years ago... but the times they are a changing.

[trophyhunt]

I always put in for that tag just because, didn’t want to ask about it and draw attention to it but it sounds like a waste of time if your looking for big bucks. Good luck on your hunts and let us know how it was.

[Sutherland]

Thank you all for your information, I really appreciate it. By no means am I looking for a monster buck. Really justing looking to put meat in the freezer for my family. I've never done a whitetail hunt before. Wondering the ratio on whitetail vs mule deer in that area. Also wondering if anyone would want to join me? Thanks everyone

[bustedoldman]

Any archery guys have luck here? Been up twice, haven't seen anything spectacular but def can fill the freezer. Not sure its worth focusing on as I have seen just as good deer #'s in central/north east areas........

[SkookumHntr]

Ive seen really nice whitetail bucks in there and one of the biggest mule deer bucks ive ever seen in my life in there!

[bustedoldman]

Still no luck with the archery holders?

[bustedoldman]

No archery or muzzleloader input?? Only one I saw shot was during muzzleloader and by Colville tribe members, 3x3 eye guard WT.