Asotin Creek Wildlife Area: hunting, units and access
The Asotin Creek Wildlife Area is 36,547 acres of land managed by WDFW in Region 1, in 3 units, inside GMUs 175, 181 and 178, measured from WDFW's boundary. The busiest elk unit it touches is GMU 175, where WDFW reports 37 elk taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: WDFW's page for the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area, read 2026-10-18, and WDFW's facility data. Harvest: WDFW reports to 2025.
National forestBLMDNR state trust landWDFW landOther public (parks, county, city, other agencies)Asotin Creek Wildlife AreaGMU lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 36,547 acres (WDFW boundary, measured by FilledTag) |
|---|---|
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
| GMUs | GMU 175, GMU 181, GMU 178 |
| Units | 3 |
| Roads and trails | 99 miles |
| Parking areas | 17 |
| Nearest towns | Asotin (4 mi), Clarkston (8 mi) and Pomeroy (14 mi) |
What is the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area like?
The Asotin Creek Wildlife Area is located mostly in Asotin County and partially in Garfield County, and covers approximately 36,500 acres, including nearly 6,000 acres leased from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The wildlife area is set primarily among shrubsteppe, grasslands and dry coniferous forests habitats. Deer, elk, turkey, quail, chukar, grouse, and many other species afford a variety of wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities.
In WDFW's words, from WDFW's Asotin Creek Wildlife Area page.
What units make up the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area?
WDFW manages the area as 3 units. The largest is Asotin Creek at 20,440 acres.
| Unit | Acres | GMUs | Parking areas | Campgrounds | Hunting blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asotin Creek | 20,440 | 175, 178, 181 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| George Creek | 12,824 | 181 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Weatherly | 3,284 | 175, 178 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Unit outlines and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Acres measured by FilledTag.
WDFW's notes for each unit
Asotin Creek: A SAFETY ZONE is established around the Smoothing Iron Ranch buildings at Smoothing Iron Ridge. WDFW
George Creek: WDFW releases pheasants on this unit. WDFW
Weatherly: Deer, elk, turkey, quail, chukar, grouse, and many other species afford a variety of hunting opportunities. WDFW
How many elk and deer are taken in the GMUs around the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area?
WDFW reports harvest by GMU, not by wildlife area. These are the whole GMUs the area lies in:
| GMU | Wildlife area acres in it | Elk taken, 2025 | Deer taken, 2025 | Bears taken, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 175 Lick Creek | 20,940 | 37 | 74 | 8 |
| GMU 181 Couse | 13,174 | 23 | 169 | 3 |
| GMU 178 Peola | 2,433 | 12 | 189 | 0 |
Harvest: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (GMU, 2025). Wildlife area acres in each GMU measured by FilledTag from WDFW's boundaries.
How do you get to the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area?
Highways within 5 miles: SR 129. Nearest towns: Asotin (4 miles), Clarkston (8 miles), Pomeroy (14 miles) and Uniontown (16 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Do you need a pass to park at the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area?
Yes. Parking on WDFW land needs the Vehicle Access Pass that comes with most annual hunting and fishing licenses, or a Discover Pass, displayed where it can be seen from outside the vehicle (WDFW pamphlet, page 72).
Which GMUs is the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area in?
GMU 175 Lick Creek (20,940 acres), GMU 181 Couse (13,174 acres) and GMU 178 Peola (2,433 acres), by WDFW's boundaries. Seasons follow each GMU's rules.
Can you camp on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area?
WDFW's facility data lists no developed campground on the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area. Camping on WDFW land follows WDFW's public conduct rules and any closures posted for the area; check WDFW's page before planning a camp.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules and access notes: WDFW, Asotin Creek Wildlife Area.
- Boundary, units and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Surrounding public land: WA DNR Major Public Lands (non-DNR) and WA DNR Managed Land Parcels, read 2026-10.
- GMU harvest: WDFW Game Harvest Reports. Parking passes: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 72.
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 Region 1 GMU 175 elk GMU 181 elk GMU 178 elk