GMU 162 - Dayton, Washington

GMU 162 spans two distinct ecoregions. The northern third (north of Hwy 12) is the Palouse Prairie — rolling hills of dryland wheat, barley, and pea fields at 1,600–2,500 ft elevation. The southern two-thirds climb into the Blue Mountains: steep creek drainages (Pataha Creek, Tucannon drainage margins), open grassy ridges, and mixed conifer forest (ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir). Topographic relief is significant — Griffin Peak and Chase Mountain in the Umatilla NF top 5,600 ft. Large fire events in 2005–2006 created extensive early-successional shrub and deadfall habitat that benefits elk and deer. Approximately 80% of terrain slopes 34 degrees or less.

Approximately 25–26% of the unit is public land: roughly 24% Umatilla National Forest (southern mountain portion) and 1% state (DNR) lands. The remaining 74–75% is private, predominantly agricultural farmland in the Palouse. Key named areas: Rainwater Wildlife Area (specifically excluded from Elk Areas 1010 and 1012 and certain deer hunting areas — check annual regulations). Primary road access: Highway 12 runs east–west through Dayton along the northern edge; North Touchet Road bisects the unit north–south (used as a regulatory boundary separating Elk Areas 1011 and 1012); Umatilla NF forest roads provide access to the southern high-country. Written landowner permission is required for the dominant private farmland acreage.

North: dryland wheat, barley, peas, fallow stubble fields; scattered coulee draws with brush, hawthorn, and serviceberry. Transition zone: grass-sage foothills, scattered ponderosa pine. South: ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir forest with large post-fire openings (2005–2006 burns) providing grass/forb understory; mixed shrub fields of ceanothus and snowbrush in recovering burn areas. Riparian corridors along Pataha Creek and smaller drainages hold dense brush and timber.

White-tailed deer use Palouse agricultural edges heavily — moving between wheat stubble/crop fields and brushy coulee draws at dawn and dusk. Rut runs late October through late December. Elk move between Umatilla NF summer range in the south and lower foothill drainages during fall; the Blue Mountains elk herd is shared with Oregon (Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness corridor). Mule deer occupy open breaks and grassland/agricultural transition zones more than the dense forest. Black bear follow the forested mountain terrain in the south.

GMU 162 carries the highest hunter density in District 3 and consistent general-season pressure — not a quality wilderness experience but a productive and accessible hunt. All white-tailed deer hunting is subject to a 3-point minimum (at least 3 antler points on one antler). Elk are spike-bull only across all seasons, reflecting conservative management for herd stability/growth. The Rainwater Wildlife Area has specific seasonal closures and exclusions — always verify current regulations before hunting that area. The unit is divided into Elk Areas 1010 (most of GMU 162 outside NF), 1011 (east of North Touchet Rd, outside NF), and 1012 (west of North Touchet Rd, outside NF and Rainwater WA). Hunter orange/fluorescent pink required during modern firearm seasons. GPS or compass essential due to complex private/public boundaries.