Sinlahekin GMU 215 black bear hunting: harvest, season and land
WDFW's harvest report shows 19 black bears taken in GMU 215 Sinlahekin in 2025. 249 bear hunters reported 1,870 days here, a success rate of 7.6% by WDFW's count. GMU 215 is 72.4% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (137,390 acres), measured from WA DNR's public land maps.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WDFW reports for 1997 to 2025. Seasons and permits: WDFW's 2026 pamphlet with its April 2026 corrections. Land: WA DNR, 2026-10.
National forestBLMDNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)Bureau of ReclamationGMU 215Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 2, North Central Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 273,171 acres (427 square miles) |
| Counties | Okanogan |
| Public land open to hunting | 72.4% (197,823 acres) |
| Black bears taken, 2025 | 19 (32 in 2024) |
| Bear hunters, 2025 | 249 |
| 2026 fall season | August 15-November 15, bag limit 1 (Bear Management Unit 5, Okanogan) |
| Towns in and near it | Riverside, Loomis, Conconully, Tonasket and Omak |
Also for GMU 215: elk hunting, deer hunting.
How many black bears are taken in GMU 215?
WDFW reports 19 black bears taken in GMU 215 in 2025, against 32 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 38, in 2022. WDFW's figures average 30 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 29 a year for 2016 to 2020.
| Year | Bears taken, general season | Males | Females | Bear hunters | Hunter days | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 249 | 1,870 | 7.6% |
| 2024 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 299 | 2,343 | 10.8% |
| 2023 | 34 | 26 | 8 | 347 | 2,511 | 9.8% |
| 2022 | 38 | 31 | 7 | 327 | 2,164 | 11.6% |
| 2021 | 27 | 22 | 5 | 312 | 2,155 | 8.6% |
| 2020 | 38 | 26 | 12 | 380 | 2,510 | 10% |
| 2019 | 29 | 18 | 11 | 342 | 2,281 | 8.4% |
| 2018 | 31 | 24 | 7 | 259 | 1,534 | 12% |
| 2017 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 315 | 1,947 | 6% |
| 2016 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 236 | 1,527 | 12.2% |
| 2015 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 242 | 1,371 | 8.3% |
| 2014 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 274 | 1,649 | 7.3% |
| 2013 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 275 | 1,652 | 9.1% |
| 2012 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 275 | 1,658 | 6.9% |
| 2011 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 247 | 1,445 | 4.9% |
| 2010 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 289 | 1,685 | 7.6% |
| 2009 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 300 | 1,823 | 6% |
| 2008 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 300 | 1,869 | 5% |
| 2007 | 24 | 18 | 6 | 253 | 1,512 | 9.5% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 236 | 1,416 | 5.9% |
| 2005 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 262 | 1,711 | 7.6% |
| 2004 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 269 | 1,987 | 8.2% |
| 2003 | 24 | 18 | 6 | 279 | 2,115 | 8.6% |
| 2002 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 315 | 2,265 | 5.4% |
| 2001 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 300 | 2,113 | 4.3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 531 | 2,397 | 2% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 503 | 4,182 | 2% |
| 1998 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 292 | 1,589 | 6% |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 140 | 616 | 3% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (black bear, GMU 215, 1997 to 2025), read through WDFW's Hunt Planner harvest table. Success is WDFW's own figure. The averages above are of WDFW's yearly figures.
When is bear season in GMU 215 in 2026?
GMU 215 is in Bear Management Unit 5, Okanogan, which also takes in GMUs 203, 209, 218, 224, 231, 233, 239, 242 and 243. The 2026 fall general season there runs August 15-November 15, and the bag limit is 1. It is illegal to shoot a cub or a female with cubs, and every successful bear hunter must send WDFW the bear's first premolar tooth.
Source: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 68.
How much public land is in GMU 215?
72.4% of GMU 215 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 197,823 of its 273,171 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 137,390 acres or 50.3% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 137,390 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 215 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 137,390 | 50.3% |
| National forest | 35,272 | 12.9% |
| BLM | 13,439 | 4.9% |
| WDFW land | 11,558 | 4.2% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 2,817 | 1% |
| Bureau of Reclamation | 164 | 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 215, by WDFW's own boundaries: Sinlahekin Wildlife Area (13,692 acres here; units McLoughlin Falls, Carter Mountain and Sinlahekin) and Scotch Creek Wildlife Area (1,158 acres here).
Measured by FilledTag inside WDFW's GMU boundary (WDFW game management units, in effect April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027) from WA DNR Major Public Lands (non-DNR) and WA DNR Managed Land Parcels, read 2026-10. Tribal land is not counted as public. National wildlife refuges, military land and "other public" land (state parks, county, city and other agencies) are not counted as open to hunting: each sets its own rules.
How do you get to GMU 215?
Highways through the unit: SR 20 (about 11 miles inside it) and US 97 (about 11 miles inside it). Towns inside: Riverside and Loomis. Nearby: Conconully (on the line), Tonasket (on the line), Omak (5 miles) and Oroville (9 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 215?
GMU 215 touches 6 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 black bear numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Black bears taken, 2025 | Bear hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 203 | Pasayten | 100% | 5 | 99 |
| GMU 204 | Okanogan East | 47.7% | 42 | 647 |
| GMU 209 | Wannacut | 26.8% | 5 | 69 |
| GMU 218 | Chewuch | 94.8% | 11 | 233 |
| GMU 224 | Pearrygin | 87.1% | 3 | 110 |
| GMU 233 | Pogue | 45.7% | 6 | 148 |
Questions hunters ask
When is bear season in GMU 215 in 2026?
GMU 215 is in WDFW's Bear Management Unit 5 (Okanogan), where the 2026 fall general season runs August 15-November 15 with a bag limit of 1, by the pamphlet's table on page 68. It is illegal to shoot a cub or a female with cubs.
How many bears are taken in GMU 215?
WDFW reports 19 black bears taken in GMU 215 in 2025 (14 males, 5 females). The most in one year since 1997 was 38, in 2022.
How much public land is in GMU 215?
72.4% of GMU 215, 197,823 of its 273,171 acres, is national forest, BLM, DNR trust, WDFW, Reclamation or national recreation area land; the largest share is DNR state trust land. Measured by FilledTag from WA DNR's public land maps.
What town is closest to GMU 215?
Riverside and Loomis are inside the unit. Just outside: Conconully (on the line), Tonasket (on the line) and Omak (5 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 215
Beginning at the eastern boundary of the Pasayten Wilderness border and the US-Canadian border; E on the US-Canadian border to the border station on Similkameen Rd; SE on the Similkameen Rd to the Loomis-Oroville Rd; S on the Loomis-Oroville Rd, through the town of Loomis, then E to the Horse Springs Coulee Rd west of Spectacle Lake; S on the Horse Springs Coulee Rd to the North Pine Creek Rd; NE on the North Pine Creek Rd to County Hwy 7; NE on County Hwy 7 to Fourth St and the Fourth St Bridge which crosses the Okanogan River into the town of Tonasket; SE onto the Fourth St Bridge and the Okanogan River; S along the eastern shore of the Okanogan River to the Tunk Creek Rd bridge crossing the Okanogan River at the town of Riverside; SW on Tunk Creek Rd to State St; S on State St to 2nd St; W on 2nd to Cutoff Rd; SW on Cutoff Rd to US Hwy (US) 97; N on US 97 to the South Pine Creek Rd; W on the South Pine Creek Rd to Fish Lake Rd; W on Fish Lake Rd to South Fish Lake Rd, along the south shore of Fish Lake; SW on South Fish Lake Rd, to the Sinlahekin Rd; SW on the Sinlahekin Rd, along the north shore of Conconully Lake, to Lake St E, in the town of Conconully; W on Lake St E to N Main St; N on N Main St to the Salmon Creek North Fork Rd; N on US Forest Service (USFS) Rd 38 (Salmon Creek North Fork Rd,) to USFS Rd 3820; N on USFS Rd 3820 over Lone Frank Pass, to USFS Rd 39; N on USFS Rd 39 to the USFS Rd 300 at Long Swamp trailhead; W on the USFS 300 to USFS Trail 342; N on USFS Trail 342 to USFS Trail 343; E on USFS Trail 343 to its junction with USFS Trail 533 and USFS Trail 341; E on USFS Trail 341 to USFS Trail 375; E on USFS Trail 375 to the eastern boundary of the Pasayten Wilderness Area; N on the Pasayten Wilderness Area boundary to the US-Canadian border and the point of beginning.
From WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, Game Management Unit Descriptions.
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Where these numbers come from
- Harvest, hunters, days and success: WDFW Game Harvest Reports.
- Seasons, special permits, applicants and points: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations.
- Public land: WA DNR Major Public Lands (non-DNR) and WA DNR Managed Land Parcels, read 2026-10. GMU boundary: WDFW game management units, in effect April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
- Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
FilledTag is not part of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Numbers are copied from WDFW and the State of Washington, or measured from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag. WDFW's regulations are the final word on every rule.
Washington hunting Washington black bear by GMU Region 2 GMU 203 GMU 204 GMU 209 GMU 218 GMU 224 GMU 233