Issaquah GMU 454 deer hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 164 deer taken in GMU 454 Issaquah in 2025, 2 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 570 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 3,231 hunter days. GMU 454 is 4.6% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (27,974 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 landMilitary land (restricted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 454Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 4, North Puget Sound |
|---|---|
| Size | 620,624 acres (970 square miles) |
| Public land open to hunting | 4.6% (28,687 acres) |
| Deer taken, 2025 | 164 (198 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 570 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 17-Nov. 1, any buck |
| Deer special permit hunts, 2026 | 3 hunts, 30 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Seattle, Kent, Everett, Enumclaw, Carnation and Duvall |
Also for GMU 454: elk hunting, black bear hunting.
How many deer are taken in GMU 454?
WDFW reports 164 deer taken in GMU 454 in 2025, against 198 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 296, in 2012. WDFW's figures average 182 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 183 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 | 164 | 162 | 2 | 131 | 33 | 570 | 3,231 | 28 |
| 2024 | 198 | 194 | 4 | 174 | 24 | 660 | 3,849 | 29 |
| 2023 | 188 | 188 | 0 | 160 | 28 | 770 | 5,045 | 24 |
| 2022 | 169 | 169 | 143 | 26 | 760 | 4,312 | 22 | |
| 2021 | 192 | 192 | 170 | 22 | 819 | 5,206 | 23 | |
| 2020 | 170 | 170 | 0 | 140 | 30 | 765 | 5,067 | 22 |
| 2019 | 188 | 185 | 3 | 157 | 31 | 785 | 5,178 | 24 |
| 2018 | 171 | 167 | 4 | 135 | 36 | 828 | 5,027 | 20 |
| 2017 | 161 | 161 | 0 | 126 | 35 | 799 | 5,826 | 20 |
| 2016 | 226 | 226 | 176 | 50 | 944 | 6,013 | 24 | |
| 2015 | 186 | 186 | 139 | 47 | 938 | 5,711 | 20 | |
| 2014 | 191 | 191 | 139 | 52 | 1,035 | 7,045 | 18 | |
| 2013 | 210 | 206 | 4 | 153 | 57 | 1,151 | 7,001 | 18 |
| 2012 | 296 | 285 | 11 | 213 | 83 | 1,177 | 7,809 | 24 |
| 2011 | 288 | 277 | 11 | 208 | 80 | 1,273 | 7,511 | 22 |
| 2010 | 256 | 240 | 16 | 193 | 63 | 1,090 | 6,513 | 22 |
| 2009 | 295 | 286 | 9 | 221 | 74 | 1,142 | 7,377 | 25 |
| 2008 | 267 | 256 | 11 | 177 | 90 | |||
| 2007 | 208 | 208 | not split out | 165 | 43 | 946 | 5,684 | 22 |
| 2006 | 220 | 220 | not split out | 169 | 51 | 979 | 5,478 | 22 |
| 2005 | 208 | 208 | not split out | 148 | 60 | 960 | 5,431 | 22 |
| 2004 | 202 | 202 | not split out | 190 | 12 | 991 | 5,973 | 20 |
| 2003 | 218 | 218 | not split out | 173 | 45 | 892 | 5,385 | 24 |
| 2002 | 205 | 205 | not split out | 165 | 40 | 998 | 6,030 | 21 |
| 2001 | 205 | 205 | not split out | 176 | 29 | 1,033 | 6,240 | 20 |
| 2000 | 217 | 217 | not split out | 185 | 32 | 1,407 | 7,959 | 15 |
| 1999 | 221 | 221 | not split out | 175 | 46 | 1,766 | 12,919 | 13 |
| 1998 | 163 | 163 | not split out | 96 | 67 | 1,698 | 9,789 | 10 |
| 1997 | 155 | 155 | not split out | 99 | 56 | 1,163 | 5,314 | 13 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, GMU 454, 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 454 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most deer hunters in GMU 454 in 2025: 241, who took 81 (33.6% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Deer taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 148 | 1,013 | 42 | 28.4% | 24 |
| Modern firearm | 241 | 1,064 | 81 | 33.6% | 13 |
| Muzzleloader | 85 | 420 | 12 | 14.2% | 35 |
| Multiple-season tag | 96 | 734 | 27 | 28.2% | 27 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer general season, 2025).
What size bucks come out of GMU 454?
WDFW counts antlered deer by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 2-point: 58 of 131 antlered deer.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 58 | 36 | 14 | 9 | 33 |
| 2024 | 15 | 55 | 60 | 25 | 19 | 24 |
| 2023 | 36 | 44 | 42 | 26 | 12 | 28 |
| 2022 | 12 | 54 | 46 | 26 | 5 | 26 |
| 2021 | 24 | 73 | 43 | 22 | 8 | 22 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, antler points).
When is deer season in GMU 454 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 454, by weapon: archery: Sept. 1-25 (any deer, black-tailed deer) and Nov. 25-Dec. 31 (late season, any deer, black-tailed deer); muzzleloader: Sept. 26-Oct. 4 (any deer, black-tailed deer) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, any deer, black-tailed deer); modern firearm: Oct. 17-Nov. 1 (any buck, black-tailed deer) and Nov. 19-22 (late season, any buck, black-tailed deer).
| Weapon | Season | Deer | 2026 dates | Legal deer | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 454 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Black-tailed Deer | Oct. 17-Nov. 1 | Any buck | All hunters | |
| Modern firearm | Late general season | Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 19-22 | Any buck | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Black-tailed Deer | Sept. 1-25 | Any deer | All hunters | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 25-Dec. 31 | Any deer | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Black-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | Any deer | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Late muzzleloader season | Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | Any deer | All hunters |
Source: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 23, 24 and 25, 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 454?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 3 deer special permit hunts that take in GMU 454, with 30 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1408 | North Issaquah Second Deer | Any | Oct. 17-Nov. 1 and Nov. 19-22 | Antlerless | Deer Area 4541 | 10 | 153 / 3 | 4 hunters, 1 taken |
| 1624 | North Issaquah Hunters 65 or older | Any | Oct. 17-Nov. 1 and Nov. 19-22 | Antlerless | Deer Area 4541 | 10 | 28 / 3 | |
| 1725 | North Issaquah Hunters with disabilities | Any | Oct. 17-Nov. 1 and Nov. 19-22 | Antlerless | Deer Area 4541 | 10 | 12 / 1 |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 32, 38 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 454?
4.6% of GMU 454 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 28,687 of its 620,624 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 27,974 acres or 4.5% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 27,974 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 454 |
|---|---|---|
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 39,062 | 6.3% |
| DNR state trust land | 27,974 | 4.5% |
| WDFW land | 602 | 0.1% |
| BLM | 83 | under 0.1% |
| Military land (restricted) | 48 | under 0.1% |
| National forest | 28 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 454, by WDFW's own boundaries: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area (455 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 454?
Highways through the unit: I-5 (about 106 miles inside it), SR 99 (about 71 miles inside it), I-405 (about 61 miles inside it), I-90 (about 52 miles inside it) and SR 18 (about 48 miles inside it). Towns inside: Seattle, Kent, Everett, Bellevue, Auburn and Renton. Nearby: Enumclaw (on the line), Carnation (on the line), Duvall (on the line) and Federal Way (on the line).
Which GMUs border GMU 454?
GMU 454 touches 7 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 deer numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Deer taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 407 | North Sound | 9.9% | 462 | 1,687 |
| GMU 422 | Vashon - Maury | 0.2% | 122 | 206 |
| GMU 460 | Snoqualmie | 61.3% | 161 | 751 |
| GMU 485 | Green River | 53.8% | 9 | |
| GMU 490 | Cedar River | 0% | 0 | |
| GMU 652 | Puyallup | 1.1% | 189 | 754 |
| GMU 653 | White River | 52.7% | 112 | 443 |
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season in GMU 454 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general deer seasons open to all hunters in GMU 454 are archery: Sept. 1-25 (any deer, black-tailed deer) and Nov. 25-Dec. 31 (late season, any deer, black-tailed deer); muzzleloader: Sept. 26-Oct. 4 (any deer, black-tailed deer) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, any deer, black-tailed deer); modern firearm: Oct. 17-Nov. 1 (any buck, black-tailed deer) and Nov. 19-22 (late season, any buck, black-tailed deer).
How many deer are taken in GMU 454?
WDFW reports 164 deer taken in GMU 454 in 2025: 131 antlered and 33 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 296, in 2012.
Which special permit deer hunts include GMU 454?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 3 deer permit hunts for GMU 454: 1408 North Issaquah (10 permits), 1624 North Issaquah (10 permits) and 1725 North Issaquah (10 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 454?
4.6% of GMU 454, 28,687 of its 620,624 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 454?
Seattle, Kent and Everett are inside the unit. Just outside: Enumclaw (on the line), Carnation (on the line) and Duvall (on the line).
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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 4 GMU 407 GMU 422 GMU 460 GMU 485 GMU 652 GMU 653