GMU 108 - Douglas, Washington

GMU 108 lies in Stevens County within WDFW Region 1 District 1 (northeastern Washington). The unit encompasses the Colville River valley and surrounding forested ridges and foothills in the broader landscape framed by the Selkirk, Calispell, Huckleberry, and Kettle mountain ranges. Elevation ranges from approximately 1,391 ft in valley bottoms to 4,350 ft on higher ridges within the unit itself (district high point is 7,309 ft on Gypsy Peak). Coniferous forest covers about two-thirds of District 1; agricultural land, rangeland, and water features make up most of the balance. Valley floors in the Colville drainage are dominated by private farmland and hay fields — prime white-tailed deer habitat at dawn and dusk. Higher terrain supports mixed conifer forest with timber harvest clearcuts that attract elk and bear.

The majority of GMU 108 is private land or timber company holdings. Public land comprises approximately 23–24% of the unit (HuntScore: 76% private / 24% public; WDFW GoHunt: 23% public). Public parcels include a few sizeable blocks of Colville National Forest and Washington DNR land, notably state ground along the southeast face of Gillette Ridge. Road access is described by WDFW as 'good' throughout the unit; a Colville National Forest map and/or DNR map is recommended. The unit has 1 Feel Free to Hunt cooperator with 800 acres enrolled in WDFW's Private Lands Access Program. Major timber company operators (Inland Empire Paper, Hancock, Stimson) may open lands to public foot access during rifle season but often restrict motorized access and may close during archery/muzzleloader seasons due to fire danger. For hunting on DNR land, a Discover Pass is required displayed on the vehicle. The unit center is approximately at 48.73°N, 117.86°W. The nearest significant towns are Colville (Stevens County seat) to the southeast.

Coniferous forest (ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, western larch, lodgepole pine) dominates the uplands, covering roughly 68% of the broader District 1 landscape. Timber harvest clearcuts in various stages of regrowth provide key foraging habitat for elk, deer, and bear. Valley bottoms and foothills support agricultural fields (hay, cereal grains), farm ponds, and riparian corridors. Berry-producing shrubs (huckleberry, serviceberry, snowberry, soapberry, thimbleberry) in clearcuts and burns provide critical late-summer and fall bear habitat. Merriam's turkeys use forest-agricultural edge at lower elevations, concentrating in hay and cropland mosaics, especially as autumn progresses. Ruffed grouse are most common at lower elevations and valley bottoms; dusky grouse occupy mid-elevation transitional forest.

White-tailed deer are most abundant on private valley and foothill bench lands. Deer densities are highest on private agricultural edges and timber harvest transition zones. Deer use these open areas primarily at night and at dawn/dusk, retreating into adjacent forest cover during daylight hours once hunting pressure begins. Mule deer occur in lower numbers and are more common at higher elevations. Elk in District 1 are broadly scattered in small groups and not concentrated in GMU 108 — the best elk habitat in the district is in GMUs 113, 117, and 111 (Pend Oreille sub-herd). Within GMU 108, elk use forest clearcuts for foraging but mature bulls avoid open areas during daylight. Moose are present and frequently observed near Harrier Creek, VanStone Mine, Rogers Mountain, and the Onion Creek headwaters. Fall elk rut begins as early as the first week of September and runs approximately one month.

GMU 108 ranked 2nd in deer harvest density (1.00 deer/mi²) across all seven District 1 GMUs during the modern firearm season (3-year average), behind only GMU 121 Huckleberry. Hunter density is moderate-high at 3.42 hunters/mi² (5th of 7 GMUs). Modern firearm deer success rate is ~29% (3rd of 7). For archery deer, success is 19% with 17 animals harvested and 88 hunters (3-year avg). For elk, GMU 108 is one of the weaker units in District 1 — 3-year modern firearm average shows 7 elk harvested total, 172 hunters, 3% success, ranking 4th of 7 (tied). Hunters are advised to consider applying for District 3 (Blue Mountains) special permits for quality bull elk. Cougar harvest guideline for the GMU 108/111 combined area is 9–11 adults. Bear identification test (WDFW online) required annually for all bear hunters in GMUs 101–117. Grizzly bears are confirmed in the broader district — hunters must know the difference before shooting. CWD note: a confirmed CWD case occurred in north Spokane County in August 2024; rule changes to reduce spread have been adopted for 2026 regulations. Private timber company access is a privilege — disrespect of landowner rules has caused increasing access restrictions district-wide.