New Deer Hunting Opportunities for Permitees, Youth and Disabled
by Madonna Luers

Deer hunters, especially special permit holders, youth, and disabled, have a number of opportunities this year, particularly in eastern, northcentral, and southwestern Washington. That’s where populations are most abundant, some to the point of causing agricultural problems.

Special antlerless deer permits, which were issued in early August after the application period concluded in late June, were increased in units where herds can sustain the additional pressure or need to be reduced to avoid damage problems.

The Steptoe (139), Almota (142), Mayview (145), Dayton (162), and Couse (181) units of the eastern region offered a total of 900 new or additional permits or special hunting seasons. General season buck hunters might take the cue that these areas could be productive, although private land access might still be a challenge (even landowners with damage problems often prefer limited numbers of doe hunters on their land.)

The Sinlahekin (215), Mission (251), Foster Creek (260), Beezley West (part of 272), and Wannacut (209) units in the northcentral region also added a total of 400 special antlerless deer permits this year, reflecting more than healthy populations in those areas.

The following opportunities were offered last year and are again available in the northcentral region; Wannacut (209), Sinlahekin (215), Chewuch (218), Pearrygin (224), Gardner (231), Pogue (233), Chiliwist (239), Alta (242), and Big Bend (248) units to the Oct. 12-20 youth and disabled modern firearm hunt for any deer that in the past included only the Foster Creek (260) and Moses Coulee (269) units. All of those units are also open for an any-deer youth and disabled archery hunt Sept 16-30 and muzzleloader hunt Oct. 5-9.

In the southwest region, 150 new special “any deer” permits for youth hunting were offered in the following units: East Klickitat (382), Lincoln (501), Stella (504), Mossyrock (505), Stormking (510), South Rainier (513), Packwood (516), Winston (520), Yale (554), Marble (558), Lewis River (560), Siouxon (572), West Klickitat (578), and Grayback (588).