Skokomish GMU 636 deer hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 195 deer taken in GMU 636 Skokomish in 2025, 4 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 699 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 4,151 hunter days. GMU 636 is 56% public land open to hunting, the largest share national forest (133,471 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 forestDNR state trust landWDFW landNational park or historic site (no hunting)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 636Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 241,230 acres (377 square miles) |
| Counties | Grays Harbor and Mason |
| Public land open to hunting | 56% (135,167 acres) |
| Deer taken, 2025 | 195 (224 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 699 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 17-Nov. 1, any buck |
| Deer special permit hunts, 2026 | 4 hunts, 30 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Hoodsport, Shelton, McCleary and Montesano |
Also for GMU 636: elk hunting, black bear hunting.
How many deer are taken in GMU 636?
WDFW reports 195 deer taken in GMU 636 in 2025, against 224 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 257, in 2016. WDFW's figures average 159 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 168 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 | 195 | 191 | 4 | 182 | 13 | 699 | 4,151 | 27 |
| 2024 | 224 | 216 | 8 | 202 | 22 | 694 | 3,902 | 31 |
| 2023 | 138 | 127 | 11 | 121 | 17 | 700 | 3,780 | 18 |
| 2022 | 86 | 82 | 4 | 79 | 7 | 602 | 3,132 | 14 |
| 2021 | 153 | 142 | 11 | 134 | 19 | 769 | 4,354 | 18 |
| 2020 | 118 | 110 | 8 | 97 | 21 | 711 | 4,076 | 15 |
| 2019 | 143 | 140 | 3 | 133 | 10 | 791 | 4,759 | 18 |
| 2018 | 185 | 181 | 4 | 153 | 32 | 886 | 5,171 | 20 |
| 2017 | 137 | 128 | 9 | 119 | 18 | 938 | 5,625 | 14 |
| 2016 | 257 | 242 | 15 | 212 | 45 | 1,118 | 6,859 | 22 |
| 2015 | 238 | 236 | 2 | 204 | 34 | 1,075 | 6,063 | 22 |
| 2014 | 135 | 124 | 11 | 116 | 19 | 851 | 5,419 | 15 |
| 2013 | 131 | 124 | 7 | 118 | 13 | 922 | 5,339 | 13 |
| 2012 | 112 | 103 | 9 | 86 | 26 | 898 | 5,184 | 11 |
| 2011 | 122 | 116 | 6 | 100 | 22 | 1,000 | 5,805 | 12 |
| 2010 | 181 | 171 | 10 | 153 | 28 | 1,025 | 5,830 | 17 |
| 2009 | 142 | 135 | 7 | 128 | 14 | 1,142 | 6,562 | 12 |
| 2008 | 147 | 139 | 8 | 134 | 13 | |||
| 2007 | 167 | 167 | not split out | 151 | 16 | 1,011 | 6,229 | 17 |
| 2006 | 145 | 145 | not split out | 130 | 15 | 968 | 6,043 | 15 |
| 2005 | 141 | 141 | not split out | 134 | 7 | 1,102 | 6,318 | 13 |
| 2004 | 245 | 245 | not split out | 236 | 9 | 1,143 | 6,029 | 21 |
| 2003 | 166 | 166 | not split out | 154 | 12 | 1,051 | 6,056 | 16 |
| 2002 | 151 | 151 | not split out | 146 | 5 | 1,097 | 6,359 | 14 |
| 2001 | 194 | 194 | not split out | 186 | 8 | 1,299 | 7,167 | 15 |
| 2000 | 160 | 160 | not split out | 157 | 3 | 1,630 | 7,311 | 10 |
| 1999 | 150 | 150 | not split out | 144 | 6 | 1,912 | 8,885 | 8 |
| 1998 | 156 | 156 | not split out | 156 | 0 | 1,940 | 7,937 | 8 |
| 1997 | 174 | 174 | not split out | 171 | 3 | 1,706 | 7,672 | 10 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, GMU 636, 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 636 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most deer hunters in GMU 636 in 2025: 564, who took 157 (27.8% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Deer taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 62 | 472 | 10 | 16.2% | 47 |
| Modern firearm | 564 | 3,164 | 157 | 27.8% | 20 |
| Muzzleloader | 17 | 105 | 0 | 0% | |
| Multiple-season tag | 56 | 410 | 24 | 42.8% | 17 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer general season, 2025).
What size bucks come out of GMU 636?
WDFW counts antlered deer by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 2-point: 80 of 182 antlered deer.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61 | 80 | 28 | 11 | 2 | 13 |
| 2024 | 49 | 111 | 27 | 13 | 2 | 22 |
| 2023 | 39 | 61 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 17 |
| 2022 | 18 | 42 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| 2021 | 43 | 60 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 19 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, antler points).
When is deer season in GMU 636 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 636, 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 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 636 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 636?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 4 deer special permit hunts that take in GMU 636, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1229 | Skokomish Buck Deer | Archery | Nov. 2-18 | Any Buck | GMU 636 | 5 | 114 / 5 | |
| 1558 | Skokomish Youth only | Modern | Oct. 10-Nov. 1 | Any Deer | GMU 636 | 10 | 38 / 1 | 4 hunters, 2 taken |
| 1635 | Skokomish Hunters 65 or older | Modern | Oct. 17-Nov. 1 | Antlerless | GMU 636 | 10 | 68 / 5 | |
| 1734 | Skokomish Hunters with disabilities | Modern | Oct. 17-Nov. 1 | Antlerless | GMU 636 | 5 | New hunt |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 30, 36, 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 636?
56% of GMU 636 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 135,167 of its 241,230 acres. The largest share is national forest, 133,471 acres or 55.3% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 1,525 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 636 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 133,471 | 55.3% |
| DNR state trust land | 1,525 | 0.6% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 492 | 0.2% |
| WDFW land | 171 | 0.1% |
| National park or historic site (no hunting) | 3 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 636, by WDFW's own boundaries: South Puget Sound Wildlife Area (68 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 636?
Highways through the unit: US 101 (about 6 miles inside it), SR 102 (about 2 miles inside it) and SR 119 (about 2 miles inside it). Towns inside: Hoodsport. Nearby: Shelton (on the line), McCleary (11 miles), Montesano (15 miles) and Elma (15 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 636?
GMU 636 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 621 | Olympic | 73.2% | 448 | 1,494 |
| GMU 633 | Mason | 14.2% | 421 | 1,571 |
| GMU 638 | Quinault Ridge | 85.9% | 19 | 101 |
| GMU 648 | Wynoochee | 3.9% | 346 | 1,126 |
| GMU 651 | Satsop | 2.8% | 291 | 1,001 |
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season in GMU 636 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general deer seasons open to all hunters in GMU 636 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 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 636?
WDFW reports 195 deer taken in GMU 636 in 2025: 182 antlered and 13 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 257, in 2016.
Which special permit deer hunts include GMU 636?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 4 deer permit hunts for GMU 636: 1229 Skokomish (5 permits), 1558 Skokomish (10 permits), 1635 Skokomish (10 permits) and 1734 Skokomish (5 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 636?
56% of GMU 636, 135,167 of its 241,230 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 636?
Hoodsport is inside the unit. Just outside: Shelton (on the line), McCleary (11 miles) and Montesano (15 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 636
Beginning on the Olympic National Park boundary and the North Fork of the Skokomish River; S along the North Fork Skokomish River to Lake Cushman; SE along the west shore of Lake Cushman to Standstill Dr (Power Dam Rd) at the Upper Cushman Dam; E on the Standstill Dr to State Route (SR) 119 (Lake Cushman Rd); SE on SR 119 to US Hwy (US) 101 at the town of Hoodsport; S on US 101 to the Shelton-Matlock Rd at the town of Shelton; W on the Shelton-Matlock Rd to the Matlock-Brady Rd; S on the Matlock-Brady Rd to Deckerville Rd south of the town of Matlock; W on Deckerville Rd to Boundary Rd (Middle Satsop Rd); W and S on Boundary Rd to Kelly Rd; N on Kelly Rd to US Forest Service (USFS) Rd 2368 (Simpson Timber 500 line); N on USFS Rd 2368 to USFS Rd 2260 (Simpson Timber 600 line); W on USFS Rd 2260 to USFS Rd 22 (Wynoochee Rd); NW and W on USFS Rd 22 to USFS Rd 2294, 1/4 mile east of Big Creek; NW on USFS Rd 2294, which parallels Big Creek, to junction with USFS Rd 2281; W on USFS Rd 2281, to the watershed divide between the Humptulips River watershed and the Wynoochee River watershed; N on the ridge between the Humptulips River watershed and Wynoochee River watershed to Olympic National Park boundary; E along the Olympic National Park boundary to the north fork of the Skokomish 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 621 GMU 633 GMU 638 GMU 648 GMU 651