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Unit 550 - Coweeman

Last Updated: Sep 12, 2024
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Quick Tips

  • Check into various Weyerhaeuser access opportunities early
  • Stay hunting after opener and the bulk of hunting pressure will disappear
speciesgeneral Sizetrophy potential
Columbian Blacktail Deer90"-110"120"+
Roosevelt Elk250"-280"280"+

On The Ground

This very large unit is formed by the Toutle River in the north, loosely following the I-5 to the west down to the dam on Lake Merwin, before winding its way north in a very crooked line. The Coweeman unit is mostly private land with a very small percentage of public land in the form of DNR, Cowlitz County and state lands. Weyerhaeuser is the largest landowner with the north. The western and southern borders and along Rose Valley Road, which dissects the unit in half north to south, are comprised of small personal properties. Modest in elevation, this steep heavily forested area has been heavily logged, especially in the south and the west creating a vast network of roads, even though most are behind locked gates. The landlocked state ground may take some hiking to get to. Both the blacktail deer and elk are in abundance within the unit.

Access to private land is getting harder to find.

Terrain

Davis Peak is the modest high-point at 2,913-ft with Monument Peak to the north topping out at 1,903-ft. Although the terrain can be steep with unending draws and cuts, this GMU has fairly easy rolling mountains. Old growth forests in this GMU have seen a lot of logging and developments along the easy access fringes over the years.

  • Roughly 354 square miles

  • 7% public land

  • Elevations range from 200– 2,913 feet

The old growth forests in this unit, with many decades of logging, has created a patchwork of timber in all stages of regrowth. Within these areas there are grassy, open slopes with young buckbrush yielding excellent browse and graze for the wildlife. Silver Lake provides wetland areas, although highly developed into single family residencies bringing in decorative non-native trees, shrubs and flowers.

Coweeman has a vast network of roads, but most of them are on private land with lots of locked gates and road closures. The limited access to public land may involve a bit of extra effort. Weyerhaeuser does offer a public access program, look into getting access here as early as possible.

  • Elk move in small herds and can change areas quickly when pressured

  • Deer are can be found throughout the entire unit

There are camping options within the GMU with some public campgrounds filling up quick. Seasonal fire bans and road closures may happen, so double check any restrictions or permits necessary prior to your trip. If you are more interested in lodging and being closer to gas stations, restaurants, and a grocery store, your best options are Castle Rock, Kelso, Longview, and Woodland.

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