This small unit is located along the Canadian border and between Palmer Lake and Osoyoos Lake, which feeds the Okanogan River. It is comprised of private and public land with the bulk of the public being BLM in the north and west. Small tracts of state and BLM are spread throughout the unit, along with the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in the southern tip. Sinlahekin Wildlife Area can offer a great hunting experience, especially after the snow starts falling in the higher elevations. Mule deer are going to be widely spread across the unit and won’t start to herd up until much later in the year, specifically after major snows. Earlier on before it snows, glass the north slopes at dawn and dusk to find deer and plan a stalk from there; typically, they will be in a set routine until they are pressured or when the rut starts. Normally, you will spot whitetails in lower elevations with the densest cover along rivers and farm edges, however, it is possible to turn one up anywhere in the unit. Deer herds within this unit are managed for herd stability or slight growth, and in large part to avoid conflicts typically around agriculture. For what it’s worth, the eastern boundary is shared with the eastern boundary of the North Cascades grizzly bear recovery zone, although it’s unlikely that you will see a bear.

Weather can change very quickly in this unit. Checking out the area north of the Similkameen River can be worthwhile.

Rolling sand hills are located at relatively low elevations, with the highest points along the western border and the Similkameen River. The three most dominant peaks in the area are Ellemehan Mountain at 4,344-ft, Mulcahy Mountain at 4,314-ft, and Palmer Mountain at 4,291-ft. This is broken timber country at best, with the only dense growth on the north facing slopes. With a decent road system throughout the unit, access to public land is relatively easy. Mule deer are widely spread throughout the unit anywhere from the sagebrush flats to the timbered slopes, but they do favor the higher elevations with good browse and cover. Several lakes offer excellent fishing and make a nice addition for cast and blast opportunities along with summer scouting trips.

There is lots of BLM land, along with smaller state ground, making for easy access, especially in the northern and western borders. The middle and eastern borders are primarily private, dotted with isolated sections of BLM and state. When hunting these smaller sections, a GPS is vital to understand your access.

A vast majority of private land without live-water is used for livestock grazing, mainly cattle. It largely consists of moderately rolling hills without significant elevation change. Native warm and cool season bunch grass, reed grass, cheatgrass, sage and buck brush offer excellent protein sources. North slopes can be a bit steeper and more densely forested with pine and fir trees, these dark slopes can be a bit slippery as well. Vegetation on the eastern boundary, along the Okanogan River and Spectacle and Whitestone, the two lakes which divide the hunt horizontally, is primarily agricultural fields with fruit orchards and various grains. This riparian and farming mix can be excellent whitetail ground, although it is all private land.

Primitive camping in the National Forest is allowed for the majority of the year, but various fire bans and forest road closures may be in effect, so double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip. Osoyoos Lake, in the city of Oroville, has a public campground. If you are more interested in a bed and a shower, and staying closer to gas stations, restaurants, and a grocery store your best option will be the city of Oroville along the northeast boundary.