Peterman Ridge Wildlife Area Unit

A pond with tree stumps sticking out of the water. Green riparian area surrounds the pond. — Photo by Alan Bauer

Peterman Pond

The Peterman Ridge Unit is managed for the pileated woodpecker (a sensitive species), black-tailed deer, and Douglas squirrels. Its forested wetland areas on Peterman Ridge also provide habitat for beaver, amphibians and other wetland-dependent species. Wildlife use throughout the unit is diverse, including elk, black bear, cougar, and grouse.

The Peterman Ridge Unit is located south of Morton in Lewis County. The unit can be accessed from Peterman Hill Road, from Highland Valley Road, off of Highway 12.

This unit lies along the western flank of the Cascade Range within the Cowlitz River valley.

This unit is part of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area.

Game Management Units: 505, 510

Getting there

Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.

Peterman Hill Road

Contact

Richard Vanderlip
Wildlife Area Manager

360-696-6211

5525 S 11th St
Ridgefield, WA 98642

Recreation and public access

A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.

Public facility information:

Parking
Restrooms
Multiple-use trail

Recreation and access advisories

Logging traffic is possible throughout the year, so caution is advised.
This is unit is popular for fall big game hunts; non-hunting users should take appropriate precautions.
Vehicle traffic may be restricted during periods of high fire risk.

Hunting

Hunting is popular on this unit. Hunters may find opportunities to harvest black bear, cougar, deer, waterfowl, elk, and grouse

This unit is part of the WDFW Road Access Entry Program that provides access to hunters with lower extremity mobility disabilities. If successfully drawn, an access special use permit (allowing motorized vehicle into a closed or gated area where other hunters must walk in) will be issued.

Hunting advisories

It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040).

Fishing

This unit offers trout fishing opportunities.

Wildlife viewing

This unit has diverse habitats, including forest wetlands, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including beaver, black bear, cougar, black-tailed deer, elk, Douglas squirrel, and pileated woodpecker.

Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.

Conservation

This unit is managed for the pileated woodpecker (a sensitive species), black-tailed deer, and Douglas squirrels. Its forested wetland areas on Peterman Ridge also provide habitat for beaver, amphibians and other wetland- dependent species. Wildlife use throughout the unit is diverse, including elk, black bear, cougar, and grouse.

Conservation goals

Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
Protect and restore native plant communities
Restore, enhance and create habitat for diving, dabbling and cavity nesting ducks
Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife

Land stewardship

This unit includes lands owned by Tacoma Power and is managed by WDFW as wildlife mitigation for Mayfield and Mossyrock dams.

Acquisition history

The parcels making up this area were purchased in 1993.

No specific funders assisted with purchasing these lands.

Management planning

2006 Cowlitz Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.