At a Glance
Quick Tips
- A GPS is important in this remote physical unit
- There are grizzly bears living in this unit




Hunters discussing Unit 218 - Chewuch in Washington share valuable insights into the area's terrain and game behavior. Many appreciate the rugged but accessible landscape, which features both challenging mountains and open valleys, making it suitable for those prepared for varied conditions. Seasonality plays a critical role, as game movement is heavily influenced by weather patterns and snow levels; hunters advise planning accordingly to align with these changes. Additionally, there is general consensus that studying draw odds and planning permits well in advance significantly enhance the hunting experience, offering a strategic advantage.
Okanogan National Forest dominates this oddly shaped unit, with a bit of Wenatchee National Forest located in southwest tip close to Rainy Lake. This GMU is basically surrounded by mountains that drain through a network of creeks, small streams, and ultimately the Chewuch River, which flows along the boundary to the small town of Winthrop at its most southern point. This is remote, steep country and since Y2K has had its fair share of large wildfires burning roughly fifty-percent of the unit. Much of the northern boundary, and the larger mountains on both the east and west edges, are roadless with significant older burns in various stages of regrowth. These higher elevation burns are a great location to start looking for mule deer as they favor the succulent vegetation in these open areas. Significant deer activity makes it possible to glass them up and stalk from considerable distances. Whitetail are less prevalent, however, they tend to favor the Eight-Mile Drainage and along Chewuch River, even though it’s fairly open terrain. There are no resident elk herds here, making it hard to locate an elk. Both black and grizzly bears, along with mountain lions and wild turkeys, live in this GMU. Over recent years, many small areas have had timber thinned, mainly north of Winthrop and strung out northwest of Eight-Mile Ridge. The western edge of this GMU lies within the North Cascades grizzly bear recovery zone.
Most would consider this a backpacking unit, with the best hunting in old burns.