Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Danielaw on February 01, 2025, 10:37:43 AM

Title: Game Management Units?
Post by: Danielaw on February 01, 2025, 10:37:43 AM: Im reading and trying my hardest to comprehend what WDFW is doing here. I live in Whatcom County and the Management Unit Number is 418. Apparently It is only open to Hunt Black Tail Deer in the Month of October only. So im assuming that unless Im on private land, I can ONLY hunt blacktail in GMU 418 from Oct 12-31 with a modern firearm. Is that right, cause that seems highly restrictive and not worth the time or effort. Can I only hunt in GMUs for certain deer only during certain times of certain months?
Title: Re: Game Management Units?
Post by: javman on February 01, 2025, 11:10:25 AM: That is correct, and hunting seasons apply to private property as well. Archery season is in September, and muzzleloaders get about a week in between the archery and rifle season. Some units have later seasons but 418 does not.

You can apply for the multi-season deer tag and if you draw that, then you can hunt that unit during the three seasons (archery, muzzleloader and modern). Without the multi-season deer tag, you have to pick one weapon.

There is a quality deer hunt (special permit raffle) for 418 where they give out 25 permits (looks like 160+ people apply for that). If you apply and draw that, then you get to hunt that unit November 1-12 too.
Title: Re: Game Management Units?
Post by: duckmen1 on February 01, 2025, 11:16:26 AM: Private or public access to hunt make no difference. The regs are the regs. Season is only open when listed in the regulations by wdfw for a said given area/GMU. Private access gives no special rights to harvesting an animal outside state regulations. A common misconseption that non hunters seem to think is ok. Which would be false.
Title: Re: Game Management Units?
Post by: kodiak06 on February 06, 2025, 03:43:05 PM: Private property doesn't get an open season... Like mentioned above, it's what's listed in the regs
Title: Re: Game Management Units?
Post by: furbearer365 on February 06, 2025, 03:51:16 PM: Quote from: Danielaw on February 01, 2025, 10:37:43 AM
Im reading and trying my hardest to comprehend what WDFW is doing here. I live in Whatcom County and the Management Unit Number is 418. Apparently It is only open to Hunt Black Tail Deer in the Month of October only. So im assuming that unless Im on private land, I can ONLY hunt blacktail in GMU 418 from Oct 12-31 with a modern firearm. Is that right, cause that seems highly restrictive and not worth the time or effort. Can I only hunt in GMUs for certain deer only during certain times of certain months?

Im confused. Are you new to hunting?? Serious question, with no tone at all, but did you think you could hunt whenever you want, wherever you want, however you want??
Title: Re: Game Management Units?
Post by: MADMAX on February 06, 2025, 03:54:55 PM: That’s Dan from the wildlife commission
Jeez come on :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Game Management Units?
Post by: nwwanderer on February 06, 2025, 07:56:33 PM: State owns them all and your water, no matter where they are or what they are doing or if you have a beneficial use for the water, not yours. Welcome to WA!!! Be careful out there
Title: Re: Game Management Units?
Post by: TriggerMike on February 14, 2025, 03:36:19 PM: Assuming OP is either brand new to hunting or from the South or Midwest where seasons are much longer than our 2 weeks.
Title: Re: Game Management Units?
Post by: spookgus on February 14, 2025, 04:51:14 PM: There are a few private holdings that have longer seasons but they are a draw or pay to play. Almost all regulations apply to public land and private.