Quick Tips
- Wildfires have raged through the Methow Wildlife Area
- GPS is highly recommended in roadless areas
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 100"-110" | 120"+ |
| Elk | Little-to-none | N/A |
On The Ground
Okanogan National Forest forms the bulk of this unit. The Sawtooth Ridge forms the western border, along with steep alpine country with multiple peaks topping 8,000-ft. The southwest border is roadless, allowing backpack and horseback hunters to get away from the crowds. Crescent Mountain Fire in 2018 scorched a good chunk of the northern tip of this GMU; the southern tip had multiple burns from 2005 through 2015. Fires have burned large tracts of critical winter browse. On the eastern side of the unit, outside the town of Twisp, there is decent access up the valleys. This area is mostly mule deer country, with a few whitetail herds distributed in the riparian regions along the Methow River. Mule deer are widely spread, however, populations are thin in spots. They will migrate into the lower eastern portions after significant snows and are managed by the WDFW to maintain a stable population. There are no resident herds of elk, and finding them can be extremely difficult. A grizzly recovery zone falls within this GMU.
This area has excellent upland bird and black bear hunting.
Terrain
Sawtooth Ridge runs along the western border and consists of a string of rugged, rocky peaks topping out between 7,000-ft and 8,600-ft, and drops off quickly to the valley floor before rising again to lower eastern peaks in the 4,000-6,000-ft range. The eastern mountains lose elevation as the region slopes off in a series of large, open hillsides and creeks into the Methow River, and downstream to shrub-steppe habitat with bunch grass, sage and bitterbrush. The Methow River bottom offers excellent winter range for mule deer and the biodiversity of its large riparian ecosystem. This area consists primarily of south and east facing slopes, with Alder Creek dissecting the unit from the northwest to southeast.
Roughly 439 square miles
87% public land
Elevations range from 800 – 8,600 feet
Vegetation
The mountains here have sparsely timbered conifer forests in various states or regrowth from over a decade of bad fire seasons. Large tracts of standing dead timber, fallen timber and regrowth provide an incredible mix of graze for the wildlife, primarily bunch grasses. The open slopes are covered in bitterbrush and bunch grasses, offering an excellent winter range for mule deer. Draws are thickly vegetated with aspen, brush and taller warm season grass. Along the Methow River border, there are small pieces of farmland, consisting mainly of grains.
Access
This GMU is dominated by public land with relatively easy access, however, the western border has steep, roadless country. Okanogan National Forest makes up the bulk of the public land along with smaller parcels of state, BLM and wildlife areas. Private land is typically located right along the Methow River and the various creeks feeding it.
Hunting pressure declines after opening weekend
Secure private land access early to get away from crowds
Camping and Lodging
Primitive camping in the National Forest is allowed during most of the year, however, various fire bans and forest road closures may happen, so double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip. If you are more interested in a bed and a shower, and being closer to gas stations, restaurants, and a grocery store, your best options will be Twisp and the small town of Pateros, where the Methow River meets the Columbia River.
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