This unit lies south of the Yakama Nation Land Reservation with the Columbia River forming its southern boundary. The bulk of the unit is arid scabland with a small touch of irrigated farming along the eastern boundary and just a small bit of forest in the opposite corner along I-97 and the reservation. By percentage this GMU is almost all private land, but, because the unit is so large it’s tough to see there is a fair amount of BLM and state land available for public hunting, although widely spread out. Public land is typically in small and broken chunks making a GPS and maps very important. Also scattered in the BLM is the Yakama Nation Trust Land. WDFW manages this as a mule deer unit changing it several years ago from a Blacktail unit. Either way, there are good populations of deer and for hunters doing a bit of leg work can not only lead to a great hunting experience but decent hunter harvest as well. There are several terrain features within the unit typically traversing north to south as water drains to the Columbia River. Along the East Road and North Rock Creek Road, for instance, are deep coulee’s offering water, browse, and cover. Additionally, there are many similar draws smaller throughout the entire unit. Elk populations are low and in small nomadic herds which can be here one day and gone the next. Private land will be your best bet for harvest and elk in a GMU where elk success is generally low.

Get private land permission early. Legal deer can be tough to locate on public land.