Washington GMU 162 — Elk Hunting

Why hunters search for GMU 162

• •Northern core of the Blue Mountains elk herd (162, 166, 175)
• •Dayton-area access point to the Blues with public forest above town
• •Quality bull permits plus general spike-bull seasons
• •Also a quality mule deer permit unit (3-point minimum)

Draw odds & tags

General season is spike bull. Branch-antlered bulls are special permit only, with quality Blues permits typically taking 10 to 15 preference points. Check WDFW current odds and season dates before applying.

Draw odds change yearly — check the Washington wildlife agency for current statistics before applying.

How to e-scout GMU 162

Open Washington GMU 162 on the HuntTrack map and work it in layers. Start with public vs. private land so every glassing knob and stalk route you mark is on ground you can actually hunt, then add land cover to find habitat edges — timber meeting meadow, shrubland meeting ag — where elk feed at first and last light.

For elk, look for north-facing timbered benches near water, and check the historic fire perimeters layer: 2 to 10 year old burns grow the feed elk key on. Wetlands and stream layers mark the water sources that anchor September patterns. Drop pins on every candidate spot — they sync when you sign in, and they export as GPX for your GPS.

When to hunt GMU 162

Archery seasons typically run September, overlapping the rut — bugling bulls, but pressured. Rifle seasons generally fall in October, when post-rut bulls feed hard and cold snaps push elk off the high country. Late limited-entry seasons can be trophy hunts if migration timing lines up. Exact dates, weapon restrictions, and antler-point rules are set by Washington each year, so confirm them with the state wildlife agency before you apply or hunt.

Field guides for this unit

• How to e-scout for elk and mule deer →
• How to read a hunt unit map →
• Where elk go in October →
• Using wildlife sighting data for scouting →

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