OLYMPIA - Hunters have until Aug. 14 at midnight to apply for an opportunity to hunt 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 submit an application for the "limited-entry" deer hunt on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/scotchcreek/ or by contacting the WDFW northcentral region office at (509) 754-4624 or headquarters at (360) 902-2515.

Eighteen applicants will be chosen during a random drawing scheduled Aug. 15. Winners of the drawing will receive access permits to the Charles and Mary Eder Unit of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area near Oroville.

"This is part of our effort to provide quality hunting opportunities in Washington," said Matt Monda, WDFW Northcentral Regional Wildlife Manager. "This drawing is open to the general public without any additional fees beyond the cost of a hunting license and the standard tags."

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

Hunters are allowed to take only one deer, and must follow general hunting rules in effect for this area.

Deer-hunting seasons for the area are Sept. 1-27 for bow hunters, Sept. 28-Oct. 6 for muzzleloaders, and Oct. 12-20 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.