This large GMU runs from Chiwaukum Mountains, down past Leavenworth along the Wenatchee River, to Colockum Wildlife Area in the southeast corner along the Columbia River. The top arm of this unit follows the creek between Rock Mountain in GMU 245 and Arrowhead Mountain along the border of GMU 249. The irregular western border takes in Icicle Creek before following a series of ridgelines to the Columbia River. Although there are roughly 300,000-acres of public land, it is highly fragmented and one would be well advised to carry a GPS unit. Public land consists of Wenatchee National Forest, BLM, state and Colockum Wildlife Areas. Well inland from the Columbia and Wenatchee Rivers are dominantly privately held lands with agriculture scattered throughout. Over the years there have been multiple wildfires, however, the impact on hunting opportunities have been very minimal. There is a small population of resident mule deer, however, the vast majority migrate in from higher elevations after heavy snowfalls. With private ground representing a large chunk of the lower elevations and winter food source, the WDFW reports that they get calls regarding human wildlife conflicts. This is a decent elk unit for this part of Washington with WDFW reporting good harvest numbers, most commonly spikes. There are a few quality rut elk permits but they are hard to draw. Upland game birds are common and include: chukar, ruffed grouse, partridge, California quail, and blue grouse. There are hardly any whitetail in this unit.

This unit has a great November mule deer hunt if you can get a permit.

This unit is all about draining the neighboring units to the north and west through multiple creeks and valleys of all sizes. There is just a touch of high ground along the western border as it makes it way around Icicle Creek and various ridgelines to the Columbia River. The steepest portions are along Wenatchee River which drains the valley between the southern Cascade Range and the Chiwaukum Mountain range, along with Icicle Creek, draining both Chiwaukum and Wenatchee Mountains as they form a giant horseshoe bowl. As you move east and southeast it really starts to flatten out and become arid grasslands and limited urban sprawl. There are numerous orchards that do excellent in this region.

Over 200,000 acres of conifer forests cover the northern and western borders, with thick canopies on the northern slopes. South faces are thinly timbered with dense patches of buckbrush, specifically in the lower areas. As you move east and southeast, the timber becomes much more patchy and is only on the north slopes, with the south facing slopes giving way to open rangeland and rolling prairies. A mix of shrubs, sagebrush, native bunch grasses, and invasive non-native grasses offer excellent mule deer and elk winter range. The creeks and valleys have an array of taller reed grasses, trees, and wildflowers. Agricultural land here mostly holds orchards of apples, pears and peaches, with just a touch of grain crops.

There is a lot of public land here, however, it is highly fragmented with pieces of landlocked private within sizeable tracts of public, and some BLM landlocked within private preventing access without permission. Scouting and using a GPS is essential to learning and effectively hunting this large unit. With a bit of legwork, this GMU offers a good hunting experience.

Primitive camping on National Forest land is allowed during most of the year, but various fire bans and forest road closures may be in effect, so double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip. If you are more interested in a bed and a shower, and being closer to gas stations, restaurants, and a grocery store, your best options will be in the small towns of Leavenworth and Cashmere.