Chewuch GMU 218 deer hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 226 deer taken in GMU 218 Chewuch in 2025, 15 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 1,220 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 6,003 hunter days. GMU 218 is 94.8% public land open to hunting, the largest share national forest (279,907 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 landOther public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 218Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 2, North Central Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 301,881 acres (472 square miles) |
| Counties | Okanogan |
| Public land open to hunting | 94.8% (286,065 acres) |
| Deer taken, 2025 | 226 (187 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 1,220 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 17-27, any buck |
| Deer special permit hunts, 2026 | 7 hunts, 50 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Winthrop, Twisp and Conconully |
Also for GMU 218: black bear hunting.
How many deer are taken in GMU 218?
WDFW reports 226 deer taken in GMU 218 in 2025, against 187 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 528, in 2002. WDFW's figures average 192 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 206 a year for 2016 to 2020.
| Year | Deer taken, all hunts | General season | Special permit | Antlered | Antlerless | General-season hunters | Hunter days | Deer per 100 general hunters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 226 | 211 | 15 | 220 | 6 | 1,220 | 6,003 | 17 |
| 2024 | 187 | 164 | 23 | 183 | 4 | 1,184 | 6,137 | 14 |
| 2023 | 216 | 204 | 12 | 195 | 21 | 1,257 | 6,031 | 16 |
| 2022 | 155 | 137 | 18 | 123 | 32 | 1,168 | 5,876 | 12 |
| 2021 | 177 | 161 | 16 | 154 | 23 | 1,078 | 5,373 | 15 |
| 2020 | 230 | 215 | 15 | 190 | 40 | 1,505 | 7,551 | 14 |
| 2019 | 155 | 131 | 24 | 116 | 39 | 1,358 | 6,668 | 10 |
| 2018 | 156 | 136 | 20 | 121 | 35 | 1,466 | 7,113 | 9 |
| 2017 | 214 | 186 | 28 | 164 | 50 | 1,648 | 8,229 | 11 |
| 2016 | 274 | 251 | 23 | 206 | 68 | 1,807 | 8,850 | 14 |
| 2015 | 515 | 490 | 25 | 447 | 68 | 1,812 | 8,592 | 27 |
| 2014 | 414 | 381 | 33 | 319 | 95 | 1,681 | 8,006 | 23 |
| 2013 | 357 | 319 | 38 | 279 | 78 | 1,645 | 7,454 | 19 |
| 2012 | 333 | 289 | 44 | 251 | 82 | 1,506 | 7,049 | 19 |
| 2011 | 271 | 232 | 39 | 209 | 62 | 1,473 | 6,898 | 16 |
| 2010 | 282 | 248 | 34 | 210 | 72 | 1,569 | 7,180 | 16 |
| 2009 | 255 | 219 | 36 | 211 | 44 | 1,425 | 6,668 | 15 |
| 2008 | 206 | 149 | 57 | 116 | 90 | |||
| 2007 | 283 | 283 | not split out | 211 | 72 | 1,602 | 7,532 | 18 |
| 2006 | 201 | 201 | not split out | 144 | 57 | 1,479 | 7,135 | 14 |
| 2005 | 308 | 308 | not split out | 245 | 63 | 2,040 | 9,826 | 15 |
| 2004 | 493 | 493 | not split out | 409 | 84 | 2,324 | 10,708 | 21 |
| 2003 | 409 | 409 | not split out | 363 | 46 | 2,012 | 9,173 | 20 |
| 2002 | 528 | 528 | not split out | 338 | 190 | 2,601 | 11,669 | 20 |
| 2001 | 523 | 523 | not split out | 370 | 153 | 2,235 | 9,803 | 23 |
| 2000 | 417 | 417 | not split out | 416 | 1 | 3,539 | 12,897 | 12 |
| 1999 | 226 | 226 | not split out | 226 | 0 | 3,575 | 19,205 | 6 |
| 1998 | 99 | 99 | not split out | 99 | 0 | 2,548 | 8,965 | 4 |
| 1997 | 99 | 99 | not split out | 75 | 24 | 1,114 | 3,745 | 9 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, GMU 218, 1997 to 2025), read through WDFW's Hunt Planner harvest table. "All hunts" is WDFW's general plus special permit total where it publishes one (from 2008), otherwise the general season. Where WDFW gives no all-weapon hunter count, the hunters and days shown are its per-weapon counts added together. Deer per 100 general hunters is worked out from WDFW's own two figures. The averages above are of WDFW's yearly figures.
How did each weapon do in GMU 218 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most deer hunters in GMU 218 in 2025: 1,074, who took 186 (17.4% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Deer taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 52 | 283 | 6 | 11.6% | 47 |
| Modern firearm | 1,074 | 5,171 | 186 | 17.4% | 28 |
| Multiple-season tag | 94 | 549 | 19 | 20.2% | 29 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer general season, 2025).
What size bucks come out of GMU 218?
WDFW counts antlered deer by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 3-point: 93 of 220 antlered deer.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2 | 93 | 82 | 41 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 | 7 | 56 | 79 | 40 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 | 8 | 60 | 90 | 35 | 21 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 56 | 22 | 32 |
| 2021 | 1 | 2 | 62 | 52 | 37 | 23 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, antler points).
When is deer season in GMU 218 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 218, by weapon: archery: Sept. 1-25 (any deer, white-tailed deer) and Sept. 1-25 (3 pt. min., mule deer); modern firearm: Oct. 17-27 (any buck, white-tailed deer) and Oct. 17-27 (3 pt. min., mule deer).
| Weapon | Season | Deer | 2026 dates | Legal deer | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 218 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | White-tailed Deer | Oct. 17-27 | Any buck | All hunters | |
| Modern firearm | General season | Mule Deer | Oct. 17-27 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | White-tailed Deer | Sept. 1-25 | Any deer | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Mule Deer | Sept. 1-25 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters |
Source: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 23 and 24, with WDFW's April 2026 corrections. WDFW can change a season during the year: check WDFW's regulations page before you go.
Which special permit deer hunts include GMU 218?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 7 deer special permit hunts that take in GMU 218, with 50 permits in all. The applicant counts and average points are the ones WDFW prints for the 2025 drawing; the 2025 results are from WDFW's harvest report for each hunt number.
| Hunt | Name and category | Tag | 2026 dates | Legal deer | Unit or area | 2026 permits | 2025 applicants / average points (WDFW) | 2025 result: hunters, deer taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1025 | Chewuch Quality Deer | Modern | Nov. 1-20 | Any Buck | GMU 218 | 15 | 991 / 15 | 9 hunters, 9 taken |
| 1207 | Chewuch Buck Deer | Modern | Nov. 1-20 | Any white-tailed buck | GMU 218 | 10 | 842 / 9 | 7 hunters, 2 taken |
| 1402 | Methow Second Deer | Any | Sept. 3-Oct. 6 | Antlerless | Deer Area 2012 | 5 | 317 / 7 | 2 hunters, 1 taken |
| 1417 | Chewuch Second Deer | Modern | Oct. 17-27 | White-tailed, antlerless | GMU 218 | 5 | 226 / 5 | |
| 1514 | Chewuch Youth only | Modern | Oct. 17-27 | Any Buck, White-tailed antlerless | GMU 218 | 5 | 119 / 3 | 3 hunters, 2 taken |
| 1610 | Chewuch Hunters 65 or older | Modern | Oct. 17-27 | Any Buck, White-tailed antlerless | GMU 218 | 5 | 160 / 9 | |
| 1710 | Chewuch Hunters with disabilities | Modern | Oct. 17-27 | Any Buck, White-tailed antlerless | GMU 218 | 5 | 44 / 5 |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 26, 29, 32, 36, 37 and 39; WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer individual hunts, 2025). A hunt's 2025 result is shown only where the 2025 hunt had the same number and name.
How much public land is in GMU 218?
94.8% of GMU 218 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 286,065 of its 301,881 acres. The largest share is national forest, 279,907 acres or 92.7% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 625 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 218 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 279,907 | 92.7% |
| WDFW land | 5,491 | 1.8% |
| DNR state trust land | 625 | 0.2% |
| BLM | 42 | under 0.1% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 5 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 218, by WDFW's own boundaries: Methow Wildlife Area (5,653 acres here; units Methow, Rendezvous and Big Valley).
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 218?
Highways through the unit: SR 20 (about 18 miles inside it). Nearby: Winthrop (on the line), Twisp (9 miles) and Conconully (11 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 218?
GMU 218 touches 5 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 deer numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Deer taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 203 | Pasayten | 100% | 11 | 271 |
| GMU 215 | Sinlahekin | 72.4% | 219 | 1,238 |
| GMU 224 | Pearrygin | 87.1% | 159 | 1,292 |
| GMU 231 | Gardner | 89% | 130 | 721 |
| GMU 426 | Diablo | 93.5% | 30 | 77 |
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season in GMU 218 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general deer seasons open to all hunters in GMU 218 are archery: Sept. 1-25 (any deer, white-tailed deer) and Sept. 1-25 (3 pt. min., mule deer); modern firearm: Oct. 17-27 (any buck, white-tailed deer) and Oct. 17-27 (3 pt. min., mule deer).
How many deer are taken in GMU 218?
WDFW reports 226 deer taken in GMU 218 in 2025: 220 antlered and 6 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 528, in 2002.
Which special permit deer hunts include GMU 218?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 7 deer permit hunts for GMU 218: 1025 Chewuch (15 permits), 1207 Chewuch (10 permits), 1402 Methow (5 permits), 1417 Chewuch (5 permits), 1514 Chewuch (5 permits) and 1610 Chewuch (5 permits), and more in the table above. Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 218?
94.8% of GMU 218, 286,065 of its 301,881 acres, is national forest, BLM, DNR trust, WDFW, Reclamation or national recreation area land; the largest share is national forest. Measured by FilledTag from WA DNR's public land maps.
What town is closest to GMU 218?
No town or Census-listed community is inside it. The nearest towns are Winthrop (on the line), Twisp (9 miles) and Conconully (11 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 218
Beginning at Harts Pass on the US Forest Service (USFS) Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail); N on the USFS Trail 2000 to USFS Trail 576 at Buffalo Pass; E on USFS Trail 576 to its junction with USFS Trail 472; SE overland from the junction of USFS Trails 576 and 472 to the junction of USFS Trails 498 and 575; NE on USFS Trail 575 to the USFS Trail 478 (Robinson Creek Trail); SE on the USFS Trail 478 to the Pasayten Wilderness Area boundary; E on the Pasayten Wilderness Area boundary to USFS Trail 342; S on USFS Trail 342 to USFS Rd 300; SE on USFS Rd 300 to the USFS Rd 39 at Long Swamp Trailhead; S on USFS Rd 39 to USFS Rd 37 (Boulder Creek Rd); SW and S on USFS Rd 37 to the Eastside Chewuch River Rd; S on the Eastside Chewuch River Rd to State Route (SR) 20 at the town of Winthrop; NW on SR 20 to the USFS Trail 2000 (Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail); N on USFS Trail 2000 to Harts Pass 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 deer by GMU Region 2 GMU 203 GMU 215 GMU 224 GMU 231 GMU 426