At a Glance
132Square Miles
96%Public Land
1,800 - 6,200Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Great backpack hunting unit, make sure to bring your GPS
- Get up high and glass
The Tucannon Unit 166 in Washington garners mixed reviews from hunters, with many noting the challenging terrain and weather conditions. Several comments emphasize the need for familiarity with the area's steep and rugged landscapes, which can significantly impact hunting strategies and accessibility. Timing visits around seasonal changes is crucial, as game behavior heavily depends on these factors. Experienced hunters recommend thorough preparation and scouting to improve chances of success, as well as being adaptable to the area's dynamic conditions.
This large unit consists primarily of Umatilla National Forest, Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and a W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area in the northern tip. There are both quality deer and elk special permits offered by WDFW within this unit that are worth applying for. Hunting for mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, and black bear are all good, however, wolves tend to move game around a bit. The 2005 School and 2006 Columbia Complex fires burned a major portion of the Tucannon unit. These significant old burns left the thickest forest along the southern boundary right in the most rugged roadless portions of the unit including Al Williams Ridge, Horse Ridge, and Elk Flat. The Tucannon River Valley is historic wintering grounds for big game and is the low ground of the unit at 1,800-ft, with the highest ground to the south topping out at just over 6,000-ft.
The Tucannon River Valley is historic wintering grounds for big game and is the low ground of the unit at 1,800-ft, with the highest ground to the south topping out at just over 6,000-ft.