GMU 450 - Cascade, Washington

GMU 450 is CLOSED to elk hunting. No established elk herd exists within the unit. Small transient groups may occasionally visit higher elevations in summer but numbers are too low to support a hunting season.

Black bear is the top hunting opportunity in GMU 450 and yields meaningfully higher success rates than deer. The best approach is spot-and-stalk at high-elevation alpine meadows and huckleberry fields in August and September, when bears are actively feeding to build fat reserves. Glass from ridgelines into open basins during morning and evening hours. As fall progresses and berry crops diminish, bears shift lower — target logging clear-cuts and decommissioned road corridors in the timber zones. Walk-in or mountain bike access through gated timberlands at lower elevations can reach productive clear-cuts with less competition. The mandatory WDFW online bear identification test (80% passing score minimum) must be completed before hunting and proof carried in the field at all times.

Columbian black-tailed deer are the primary big game target in GMU 450. The unit is thick, rugged, and steep — hunters who invest time scouting lesser-used drainages and off-trail alpine basins away from main corridors have the best success. Move slowly through timber, keep wind in your face, and focus on edges between dense forest and openings. Lower-elevation riparian corridors where public land borders private agricultural land can also concentrate deer. The September archery early season and late archery (Nov 25-Dec 15, any deer) offer extended opportunity. The 3-point minimum high buck hunt (Sept 15-25) targets more mature bucks. Overall success is very low — 2-3% in recent general seasons — so patience and thorough scouting are essential.