Quick Tips
- Study the road maps and find pockets of land that don't have logging roads going through them
- Find north facing slopes with heavy timber during September seasons. These are key bedding areas for elk during the heat of the day
- Clearcuts from logging are great areas to locate elk and deer in the mornings and evenings
- Be wary of “Access Permits” for private timber company land. Fees range from $50-500 for access permits
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Columbian Blacktail Deer | 90"-110" | 120"+ |
| Roosevelt Elk | 270"-300" | 300"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is comprised of a mix of private timber company land and Gifford Pinchot National Forest. There is a nice mix of backcountry style hunting near Mt. St. Helens National Monument and also some heavily forested area in the lower elevations of this unit. This is one of the largest units in Washington and attracts a lot of hunters. During modern firearm, seasons expect to push your limits to find elk and deer. Heavy hunting pushes animals into the deep drainages and away from roads.
This unit is largely attractive for its size. There is a lot of land to explore, but expect to put in extreme effort for a harvest. Lately, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has been conducting studies to find out what is causing the “hoof rot” disease in elk. Because of this, any harvested elk MUST have the hooves left in the field. Blacktail numbers are on the rise, tags for antlerless deer have been reduced in recent years.
Terrain
Most of the unit is foothill type terrain that can have smaller drainages and canyons down low but also have steep, nasty terrain up high. Almost all of the land will be heavily forested, however the clear cut areas will hold animals but are usually crowded. Generally speaking you can find animals on flats, in between ridges or benches.
Roughly 755 square miles
90% public land
Elevations range from 1,200-12,200 feet
Vegetation
Not many open grassy hillsides in this area. Expect heavy timber with thick underbrush. In much of the old growth timber you can expect wild huckleberries and blackberry bushes along with Salal on the forest floor. In higher elevations you will see more patchy huckleberries and a little more open timber.
Access
Many parts of this unit are National forest and can be accessed by foot or horseback. However, especially in the lower sections, you will find that private timber companies own a lot of the land and can restrict access. If you plan on hunting this unit or surrounding units, look into the private timber companies and their policies on access. Main access if off highway 503 from the west.
Hunter numbers will be highest along main roads such as the FS90 and FS25
Modern lodging can be found in Woodland, just west of the unit
Campgrounds including Swift, Beaver Bay, and Cougar can be found along the way but fill up quick
Camping and Lodging
Primitive camping on the National Forest land is allowed, during most of the year. Various fire bans and forest road closures may happen, so double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip.
There aren’t really any major cities or towns in the interior of the unit, so plan ahead for any amenities that you might need.
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