New Hunter Questions

[Mike N.]

I'm fairly new to Washington and brand new to hunting.  I've got some questions that will probably seem really simple and basic, but I just don't know where to find the answers.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-What is the difference between a GMU and a deer/elk area?  Is it just another way to define an area or is there something special I need to know?

-I've gone to the Go Hunt section of the Fish & Wildlife website to try and see where public hunting land is.  I'm a bit confused by it though.  Can you hunt all of the public lands that it lists (i.e. "State-DNR", "Federal- Forest Service")  or only certain ones?  How can you tell?

-Once you find public land to hunt, where do you park?  Are there certain rules or can you just pull your truck off to the side of the road once you're on public land?

I'm sorry if the answers to these questions seem really obvious.  I just have no idea and I figured the best way to get answers is to just ask.  Thank you for any and all help.

[6x6in6]

GMU is the specific unit that applies to the game you are hunting within.  GMU's can have different hunting seasons, legal species whereas other GMU's may be entirely closed for example.
Deer/Elk Areas are specified portions of one or more GMU's, or parts thereof, that have different regulations then the entire GMU.  Sometimes they can be in addition to regulations.
All of the public lands you mentioned, you can pretty much park along side any open road you are legal to drive on unless it's posted otherwise.  They all have different restrictions on how far off the road you can legally drive to just to park.  You keep within a couple truck lengths of the road and you won't get hassled by enforcement.

Remember your Discover Pass if you are on DNR or WDFW lands.  Enforcement likes to generate revenue thru writing tickets for no DP....

[hughjorgan]

GMU = game management unit. They are given a number like 346 little naches, the number will be listed under a season if it is open to hunt. I believe the deer/elk(usually inside a gmu)areas are more for special damage control hunts done by master hunters but am not 100 percent on that so, maybe some one else can better clarify that for you.

You can hunt any public land that is state or federal as long as the GMU is open that the land is in.

Park off the side of the road, set up camp and hunt out of camp. Probably best not to park blocking a gate, road or in some one else's camp. Pretty much common sense.

[Mike N.]

Thanks for the information guys.  It was a big help.

[Bob33]

"Remember your Discover Pass if you are on DNR or WDFW lands."

The permit included with your license purchase is valid on WDFW properties.

[BowForElk]

Dont buy a Discover Pass....Fight the power!!!