South Puget Sound Wildlife Area: hunting, units and access
The South Puget Sound Wildlife Area is 5,674 acres of land managed by WDFW in Region 6, in 7 units, inside GMUs 652, 627, 633, 666 and 636, measured from WDFW's boundary. The busiest elk unit it touches is GMU 652, where WDFW reports 222 elk taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: WDFW's page for the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area, read 2026-10-18, and WDFW's facility data. Harvest: WDFW reports to 2025.
National forestDNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)National park or historic site (no hunting)Military land (restricted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)South Puget Sound Wildlife AreaGMU lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 5,674 acres (WDFW boundary, measured by FilledTag) |
|---|---|
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
| GMUs | GMU 652, GMU 627, GMU 633, GMU 666, GMU 636 |
| Units | 7 |
| Roads and trails | 40 miles |
| Parking areas | 12 |
| Hunting blinds | 4 |
| Boat ramps | 2 |
| Nearest towns | Lakewood (next to it), University Place (2 mi) and DuPont (2 mi) |
What is the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area like?
The South Puget Sound Wildlife Area covers 5,790 acres spread across Mason, Kitsap, Pierce, and Thurston counties in eight units. Major rivers and tributaries flow into Puget Sound, Hood Canal, or the Chehalis River, which flows out into Grays Harbor. The wildlife area supports many prairie, estuary, and wetland dependent species, as well as a variety of other wildlife and native fish populations, some of which are federally endangered. Each unit provides habitat for many common species found throughout western Washington, such as deer, elk, river otter, hawks, and a many different song birds.
In WDFW's words, from WDFW's South Puget Sound Wildlife Area page.
What units make up the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area?
WDFW manages the area as 7 units. The largest is Big Beef Creek at 1,064 acres.
| Unit | Acres | GMUs | Parking areas | Campgrounds | Hunting blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Beef Creek | 1,064 | 627 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nisqually | 629 | 666 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Union River | 548 | 633 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Skokomish | 163 | 633, 636 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lake Koeneman | 151 | 627 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Puget Sound | 47 | 652 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Stavis Creek | 41 | 627 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Unit outlines and facilities: WDFW wildlife area and unit boundaries. Acres measured by FilledTag.
WDFW's notes for each unit
Nisqually: It is unlawful to have in possession more than 25 shotgun shells or to fire (shoot) more than 25 shells in one day on this unit (WAC 220-414-050). WDFW
Union River: A hunting area restriction exists on this unit. It is unlawful to hunt waterfowl, coot, or snipe except in blinds designated by the department (WAC 220-416-080). WDFW
Skokomish: The north portion of the property at the Skokomish River delta provides waterfowl hunting access. WDFW
Lake Koeneman: The unit is located in GMU 627. Primary hunting opportunities on the unit include deer, bear, and waterfowl hunting. WDFW
South Puget Sound: The entire South Puget Sound Unit is a designated SAFETY ZONE and within a City of Lakewood no shooting ordinance. It is unlawful to hunt at this unit. WDFW
How many elk and deer are taken in the GMUs around the South Puget Sound 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 652 Puyallup | 3,040 | 222 | 189 | 15 |
| GMU 627 Kitsap | 1,256 | 0 | 282 | 25 |
| GMU 633 Mason | 615 | 0 | 421 | 9 |
| GMU 666 Deschutes | 284 | 35 | 276 | 8 |
| GMU 636 Skokomish | 68 | 0 | 195 | 8 |
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 South Puget Sound Wildlife Area?
Highways within 5 miles: I-5, SR 3, US 101, SR 106 and SR 302. Nearest towns: Lakewood (next to it), University Place (2 miles), DuPont (2 miles) and Steilacoom (3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Do you need a pass to park at the South Puget Sound 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 South Puget Sound Wildlife Area in?
GMU 652 Puyallup (3,040 acres), GMU 627 Kitsap (1,256 acres), GMU 633 Mason (615 acres), GMU 666 Deschutes (284 acres) and GMU 636 Skokomish (68 acres), by WDFW's boundaries. Seasons follow each GMU's rules.
Can you camp on the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area?
WDFW's facility data lists no developed campground on the South Puget Sound 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, South Puget Sound 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 6 GMU 652 elk GMU 666 elk GMU 636 elk