GMU 243 - Manson, Washington

Elevation range 800–8,350 ft across 255 sq mi (359 sq mi per GOHUNT, 255 sq mi per WDFW biologist data). Unit extends from Columbia River at low elevation up to mountain peaks along Sawtooth Ridge (6,155–8,000+ ft). Western half is rugged Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, accessible only by boat uplake or backcountry hiking. Eastern half transitions from broken conifer forest and woodlands through large open steep rocky sidehills, old burns in various stages of regrowth, down to rocky exposed grasslands above Lake Chelan's north shore near Manson. The unit experienced significant wildfire activity including the 2024 Pioneer Fire, which caused large area closures during the fall bear season.

64% public land. Wenatchee National Forest comprises over three-quarters of the unit. The Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness encompasses roughly one-third of the GMU. Chelan Butte Wildlife Area (9,325 acres, GMUs 247 and 243) lies southwest of Chelan between Lake Chelan and the Columbia River, accessible via Chelan Butte Road (north), Downie Canyon Road (west), and Stayman Flats Road (south)—requires Discover Pass. Eastern half public land accessible via Grade Creek Road, Black Canyon Road, and Cooper Mountain Road. Western roadless area suited for backpack and pack-string hunters. Southern tip includes private land, BLM, Wildlife Areas, and state holdings. Considerable private orchard and agricultural land near Manson townsite.

Broken conifer forest and woodland dominate mid-to-upper elevations with large open steep rocky sidehills and old burns. Rocky exposed grasslands on north shore of Lake Chelan provide chukar and bighorn sheep habitat below Grade Creek Road. Old burns and cleared areas from wildfires create excellent berry patches (huckleberries, serviceberries) supporting black bear. Brushy north-facing slopes provide thermal and visual cover for mule deer during general season. Subalpine and alpine basins in wilderness provide summer deer range.

Approximately 85% of Chelan County mule deer are migratory, summering at high elevations (Cascades) and moving to winter range as snowfall accumulates. GMU 243 deer are part of the Chelan subherd (East Slope Cascades Mule Deer Management Zone), wintering on breaks along the Columbia River and surrounding foothills. As early as mid-September, deer begin moving to lower elevations and north-facing slopes. By mid-November bucks are in breeding condition. Highway 2 acts as a movement barrier between subherds. Bighorn sheep (Manson herd) range the north shore of Lake Chelan from just west of Manson to Lone Fir Creek, primarily on USFS land between Antilon Lake and Lone Fir Creek.

GMU 243 is the only District 7 unit included in the Okanogan Black Bear Management Unit (BBMU 5), not the Central Cascades East BBMU 6 that covers all other Chelan County GMUs. New for 2025: bear hunters in GMU 243 must pass the annual WDFW online bear identification test (80%+ score) and carry proof. Fall bear season opens August 15. The Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness is closed to high buck hunting Sept. 15-25 but opens for early archery where it overlaps GMU 243. Bighorn sheep (Manson herd) ram permits are suspended for 2025 and likely several years beyond due to low mature ram numbers (ram:ewe ratio 36:100, only 35% mature rams). The 2024 Pioneer Fire caused a dramatic drop in black bear harvest (6 bears in 2024 vs. all-time record 43 in 2023) but habitat is expected to recover and bear numbers should return. Deer Area 2017 (Lake Chelan North) provides limited permit-only antlerless opportunity to deter mule deer crop damage. Special permit Hunt 1030 (Manson Quality Deer): modern firearm, Nov 1-20, any buck, 7 permits, 303 applicants in 2025 draw (avg 13 pts). White-tailed deer can be legally harvested by general season archers here—the most white-tailed deer of any District 7 GMU. CWD has not been detected in District 7 as of 2025.