Deschutes GMU 666 deer hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 276 deer taken in GMU 666 Deschutes in 2025, 5 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 836 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 4,529 hunter days. GMU 666 is 1.8% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (2,076 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 wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)Military land (restricted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 666Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 226,587 acres (354 square miles) |
| Counties | Thurston |
| Public land open to hunting | 1.8% (4,122 acres) |
| Deer taken, 2025 | 276 (273 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 836 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 17-Nov. 1, any buck |
| Deer special permit hunts, 2026 | 1 hunt, 40 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, Tenino, Roy and DuPont |
Also for GMU 666: elk hunting, black bear hunting.
How many deer are taken in GMU 666?
WDFW reports 276 deer taken in GMU 666 in 2025, against 273 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 332, in 2004. WDFW's figures average 241 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 236 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 | 276 | 271 | 5 | 244 | 32 | 836 | 4,529 | 32 |
| 2024 | 273 | 270 | 3 | 247 | 26 | 923 | 5,151 | 29 |
| 2023 | 278 | 269 | 9 | 248 | 30 | 813 | 4,744 | 33 |
| 2022 | 175 | 173 | 2 | 140 | 35 | 769 | 4,693 | 22 |
| 2021 | 201 | 197 | 4 | 172 | 29 | 920 | 5,760 | 21 |
| 2020 | 210 | 205 | 5 | 184 | 26 | 931 | 6,238 | 22 |
| 2019 | 222 | 215 | 7 | 184 | 38 | 1,056 | 6,821 | 20 |
| 2018 | 264 | 258 | 6 | 219 | 45 | 1,020 | 6,272 | 25 |
| 2017 | 196 | 191 | 5 | 154 | 42 | 1,065 | 6,694 | 18 |
| 2016 | 290 | 281 | 9 | 244 | 46 | 1,145 | 7,259 | 25 |
| 2015 | 274 | 268 | 6 | 206 | 68 | 1,129 | 6,850 | 24 |
| 2014 | 246 | 244 | 2 | 183 | 63 | 1,069 | 6,469 | 23 |
| 2013 | 246 | 234 | 12 | 181 | 65 | 1,176 | 7,176 | 20 |
| 2012 | 251 | 243 | 8 | 203 | 48 | 1,322 | 7,771 | 18 |
| 2011 | 223 | 214 | 9 | 168 | 55 | 1,451 | 7,833 | 15 |
| 2010 | 293 | 289 | 4 | 237 | 56 | 1,525 | 8,646 | 19 |
| 2009 | 300 | 292 | 8 | 243 | 57 | 1,479 | 8,250 | 20 |
| 2008 | 307 | 295 | 12 | 225 | 82 | |||
| 2007 | 237 | 237 | not split out | 198 | 39 | 1,371 | 7,837 | 17 |
| 2006 | 241 | 241 | not split out | 202 | 39 | 1,453 | 7,869 | 17 |
| 2005 | 220 | 220 | not split out | 183 | 37 | 1,448 | 7,919 | 15 |
| 2004 | 332 | 332 | not split out | 279 | 53 | 1,554 | 8,040 | 21 |
| 2003 | 305 | 305 | not split out | 253 | 52 | 1,386 | 7,694 | 22 |
| 2002 | 311 | 311 | not split out | 266 | 45 | 1,460 | 8,058 | 21 |
| 2001 | 322 | 322 | not split out | 277 | 45 | 1,516 | 7,817 | 21 |
| 2000 | 190 | 190 | not split out | 165 | 25 | 1,388 | 7,409 | 14 |
| 1999 | 233 | 233 | not split out | 176 | 57 | 1,636 | 8,885 | 14 |
| 1998 | 245 | 245 | not split out | 189 | 56 | 1,608 | 6,663 | 15 |
| 1997 | 299 | 299 | not split out | 234 | 65 | 1,412 | 6,126 | 21 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, GMU 666, 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 666 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most deer hunters in GMU 666 in 2025: 459, who took 154 (33.6% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Deer taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 191 | 1,286 | 51 | 26.8% | 25 |
| Modern firearm | 459 | 2,057 | 154 | 33.6% | 13 |
| Muzzleloader | 97 | 431 | 27 | 27.8% | 16 |
| Multiple-season tag | 89 | 755 | 39 | 43.8% | 19 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer general season, 2025).
What size bucks come out of GMU 666?
WDFW counts antlered deer by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 2-point: 84 of 244 antlered deer.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 40 | 84 | 70 | 37 | 13 | 32 |
| 2024 | 23 | 81 | 87 | 47 | 9 | 26 |
| 2023 | 36 | 90 | 72 | 22 | 28 | 30 |
| 2022 | 33 | 36 | 33 | 27 | 11 | 35 |
| 2021 | 27 | 47 | 46 | 40 | 12 | 29 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (deer, antler points).
When is deer season in GMU 666 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 666, 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 666 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 666?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 deer special permit hunt that takes in GMU 666, with 40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1442 | Deschutes Second Deer | Modern | Oct. 17-Nov. 1 and Nov. 19-22 | Antlerless | GMU 666 | 40 | 269 / 4 |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 34; 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 666?
1.8% of GMU 666 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 4,122 of its 226,587 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 2,076 acres or 0.9% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 2,076 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 666 |
|---|---|---|
| Military land (restricted) | 16,883 | 7.5% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 6,381 | 2.8% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 2,386 | 1.1% |
| DNR state trust land | 2,076 | 0.9% |
| WDFW land | 2,036 | 0.9% |
| National forest | 10 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 666, by WDFW's own boundaries: Scatter Creek Wildlife Area (3,372 acres here; units Scatter Creek, Violet Prairie and West Rocky Prairie) and South Puget Sound Wildlife Area (284 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 666?
Highways through the unit: I-5 (about 53 miles inside it), SR 510 (about 14 miles inside it), US 101 (about 13 miles inside it), SR 121 (about 8 miles inside it) and SR 507 (about 7 miles inside it). Towns inside: Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, Yelm, Rainier and Rochester. Nearby: Tenino (on the line), Roy (2 miles), DuPont (2 miles) and Bucoda (3 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 666?
GMU 666 touches 6 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 deer numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Deer taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 501 | Lincoln | 21.8% | 387 | 1,300 |
| GMU 633 | Mason | 14.2% | 421 | 1,571 |
| GMU 651 | Satsop | 2.8% | 291 | 1,001 |
| GMU 652 | Puyallup | 1.1% | 189 | 754 |
| GMU 663 | Capitol Peak | 68.5% | 388 | 1,816 |
| GMU 667 | Skookumchuck | 13.8% | 849 | 2,300 |
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season in GMU 666 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general deer seasons open to all hunters in GMU 666 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 666?
WDFW reports 276 deer taken in GMU 666 in 2025: 244 antlered and 32 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 332, in 2004.
Which special permit deer hunts include GMU 666?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 deer permit hunt for GMU 666: 1442 Deschutes (40 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 666?
1.8% of GMU 666, 4,122 of its 226,587 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 666?
Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater are inside the unit. Just outside: Tenino (on the line), Roy (2 miles) and DuPont (2 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 666
Beginning on US Hwy (US) 101 at the Mason- Thurston county line southeast of Oyster Bay; NE on the Mason-Thurston county line, through Tot- ten Inlet, Squaxin Passage and Dana Passage, to the Pierce-Thurston county line in the Nisqually Reach; SE through the Nisqually Reach along the Pierce-Thurston county line to the mouth of the Nisqually River; SE on the Nisqually River to State Route (SR) 507; SW on SR 507 to Old Hwy 99 SE at the town of Tenino; SW on Old Hwy 99 SE to SR 12 at Interstate Hwy-5; W on SR 12 to Littlerock Rd; N on the Littlerock Rd to 110th Ave SW; W on 110th Ave SW to Delphi Rd SW; N on Delphi Rd SW to US 101; NW on US 101 to the Mason-Thurston county line southeast of Oyster Bay and the point of beginning.
From WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, Game Management Unit Descriptions.
Get a Washington hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Washington are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Washington included.
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 501 GMU 633 GMU 651 GMU 652 GMU 663 GMU 667