Clearwater GMU 615 deer hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 36 deer taken in GMU 615 Clearwater in 2025. General-season hunters numbered 272 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 1,663 hunter days. GMU 615 is 74% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (149,202 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 park or historic site (no hunting)GMU 615Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 205,354 acres (321 square miles) |
| Counties | Jefferson |
| Public land open to hunting | 74% (151,864 acres) |
| Deer taken, 2025 | 36 (49 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 272 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 17-Nov. 1, any buck |
| Deer special permit hunts, 2026 | 1 hunt, 5 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Forks |
Also for GMU 615: elk hunting, black bear hunting.
How many deer are taken in GMU 615?
WDFW reports 36 deer taken in GMU 615 in 2025, against 49 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 59, in 2012. WDFW's figures average 33 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 31 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 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 272 | 1,663 | 13 | |
| 2024 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 0 | 284 | 1,749 | 17 | |
| 2023 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 261 | 1,508 | 11 | |
| 2022 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 305 | 1,459 | 7 | |
| 2021 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 344 | 2,002 | 9 | |
| 2020 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 39 | 0 | 366 | 1,792 | 10 |
| 2019 | 33 | 32 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 331 | 1,598 | 10 |
| 2018 | 31 | 30 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 318 | 1,876 | 9 |
| 2017 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 251 | 1,453 | 6 |
| 2016 | 33 | 31 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 255 | 1,407 | 12 |
| 2015 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 281 | 1,506 | 11 | |
| 2014 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 0 | 313 | 1,642 | 16 | |
| 2013 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 266 | 1,508 | 8 | |
| 2012 | 59 | 59 | 59 | 0 | 289 | 1,726 | 20 | |
| 2011 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 278 | 1,769 | 13 | |
| 2010 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 251 | 1,379 | 11 | |
| 2009 | 39 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 314 | 1,610 | 12 | |
| 2008 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 2 | ||||
| 2007 | 32 | 32 | not split out | 32 | 0 | 235 | 1,277 | 14 |
| 2006 | 23 | 23 | not split out | 23 | 0 | 257 | 1,387 | 9 |
| 2005 | 43 | 43 | not split out | 41 | 2 | 241 | 1,341 | 18 |
| 2004 | 27 | 27 | not split out | 26 | 1 | 264 | 1,364 | 10 |
| 2003 | 34 | 34 | not split out | 29 | 5 | 227 | 1,242 | 15 |
| 2002 | 33 | 33 | not split out | 31 | 2 | 251 | 1,477 | 13 |
| 2001 | 48 | 48 | not split out | 43 | 5 | 286 | 1,494 | 17 |
| 2000 | 27 | 27 | not split out | 27 | 0 | 470 | 1,987 | 6 |
| 1999 | 41 | 41 | not split out | 41 | 0 | 466 | 2,868 | 9 |
| 1998 | 40 | 40 | not split out | 40 | 0 | 773 | 3,007 | 5 |
| 1997 | 54 | 54 | not split out | 54 | 0 | 486 | 1,602 | 11 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, GMU 615, 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 615 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most deer hunters in GMU 615 in 2025: 212, who took 34 (16% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Deer taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 32 | 185 | 2 | 6.2% | 93 |
| Modern firearm | 212 | 1,272 | 34 | 16% | 37 |
| Muzzleloader | 6 | 28 | 0 | 0% | |
| Multiple-season tag | 22 | 178 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer general season, 2025).
What size bucks come out of GMU 615?
WDFW counts antlered deer by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 1-point: 12 of 36 antlered deer.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 25 | 16 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, antler points).
When is deer season in GMU 615 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 615, by weapon: archery: Sept. 1-25 (any buck, black-tailed deer) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, any buck, black-tailed deer); muzzleloader: Sept. 26-Oct. 4 (any buck, 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 615 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 buck | All hunters | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Black-tailed Deer | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | Any buck | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Black-tailed Deer | Sept. 26-Oct. 4 | Any buck | 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 615?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 deer special permit hunt that takes in GMU 615, with 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1217 | Clearwater Buck Deer | Modern | Nov. 2-18 | Any Buck | GMU 615 | 5 | 301 / 6 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 30; 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 615?
74% of GMU 615 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 151,864 of its 205,354 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 149,202 acres or 72.7% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 149,202 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 615 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 149,202 | 72.7% |
| National forest | 2,632 | 1.3% |
| National park or historic site (no hunting) | 42 | under 0.1% |
| BLM | 17 | under 0.1% |
| WDFW land | 13 | under 0.1% |
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 615?
Highways through the unit: US 101 (about 11 miles inside it). Nearby: Forks (4 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 615?
GMU 615 touches 2 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 deer numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Deer taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 607 | Sol Duc | 76% | 52 | 260 |
| GMU 612 | Goodman | 38.1% | 34 | 195 |
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season in GMU 615 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general deer seasons open to all hunters in GMU 615 are archery: Sept. 1-25 (any buck, black-tailed deer) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, any buck, black-tailed deer); muzzleloader: Sept. 26-Oct. 4 (any buck, 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 615?
WDFW reports 36 deer taken in GMU 615 in 2025: 36 antlered and 0 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 59, in 2012.
Which special permit deer hunts include GMU 615?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 deer permit hunt for GMU 615: 1217 Clearwater (5 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 615?
74% of GMU 615, 151,864 of its 205,354 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 615?
No town or Census-listed community is inside it. The nearest towns are Forks (4 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 615
Beginning on US Hwy (US) 101 and the Bogachiel River; E along the Bogachiel River to the Olympic National Park boundary; SE and W on the Olympic National Park boundary to the Quinault Indian reservation boundary; W on the Quinault Indian reservation boundary to the Olympic National Park boundary; N along the Olympic National Park boundary to US 101; E, N, and W on US 101 to the Bogachiel River 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 6 GMU 607 GMU 612