GMU 424 - Stuart, Washington

Stuart Island is a small, road-inaccessible island of approximately 2.88 square miles (7.46 sq km) in the northern San Juan Islands, positioned north of San Juan Island and west of Waldron Island near Boundary Pass. Terrain is low-relief maritime island with forested ridges, rocky shoreline, and two natural harbors — Reid Harbor on the south and Prevost Harbor on the northeast. The western tip features Turn Point Light Station. Elevation is modest with no significant mountains; the island is characterized by mixed conifer-hardwood forest typical of the rain shadow of the Olympics. Two grass/dirt airstrips are present (Stuart Island Airstrip 7WA5 at 2,000 ft and Stuart Island West 2WA3 at 1,560 ft).

Island is accessible by private boat or commercial water taxi only — no ferry service and no road connection to the mainland. Reid Harbor (13 mooring buoys) and Prevost Harbor (7 mooring buoys, 448 ft of dock) are the primary landing points, both part of Stuart Island Marine State Park. Most of the island is private property. Public hunting is permitted on small BLM parcels within the San Juan Islands National Monument, concentrated near the Turn Point Light Station on the western tip. Hunters must obtain written landowner permission per San Juan County Code 9.08 before hunting any private land. San Juan County maintains eight public docks with floats and eight boat ramps across the islands.

Mixed conifer and broadleaf forest typical of the drier, rain-shadow San Juan Islands. Douglas fir, madrona, and Garry oak are characteristic. Rocky coastal edges and open grassland areas near the light station. Deer habitat includes forested interior with edge cover near shoreline meadows and open areas. Deer herbivory historically significant — overpopulation has impacted sensitive habitat including potential oak woodland and butterfly host plants.

Columbian black-tailed deer are the dominant huntable species. Island deer are historically abundant but characteristically smaller-bodied than mainland animals. The 2021 Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease (AHD) outbreak impacted Stuart Island deer; population is considered to be in a recovery phase as of 2025. Small groups of feral mouflon sheep (harmful exotic wildlife per WAC 220-640-200) have colonized the island but are not regulated by WDFW and may not be hunted under state regulations. No elk or black bear populations are present.

San Juan County firearm restriction: modern rifles are prohibited. Allowed weapons are archery equipment, muzzleloader rifles, shotguns, and a specialized class of short-range pistols (see WDFW Firearm Restriction Areas page and WAC definitions). Hunter orange/pink required during many seasons per WAC 220-414-080. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. AHD (Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease) confirmed on Stuart Island in 2021; as of late July 2025 no new AHD detected in District 13. WDFW management goal is to reduce deer overabundance on San Juan Islands. All deer seasons in AHD-impacted areas maintained for 2025 season. District Wildlife Biologist: Kurt Licence, 360-503-1086, kurt.licence@dfw.wa.gov. Private Lands Access Program Biologist: Brandon Roozen, 360-755-7608. BLM Monument Manager: Brie Chartier, 509-220-5976. Harvest reporting accuracy is an ongoing concern — hunters frequently misreport island GMU numbers.