GMU 513 - South Rainier, Washington

Rugged Cascade Mountains terrain entirely within Lewis County, bounded by Mount Rainier National Park to the north and State Route 12/Cowlitz River corridor to the south. Elevations range from roughly 750 ft along the Cowlitz River bottom to over 6,000 ft in the Tatoosh Range. Key geographic features include Sawtooth Ridge, Skate Mountain, Carlton Ridge, and the Cowlitz River drainage. Approximately 20% of the unit falls within designated wilderness (Tatoosh Wilderness and William O. Douglas Wilderness), which is roadless. The eastern boundary is entirely roadless. Slopes are generally moderate to steep with limited flat terrain confined to major drainages. Snow accumulates at higher elevations by October and can close USFS roads mid-season.

Approximately 95% public land managed almost entirely by the U.S. Forest Service (Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District). A narrow corridor of private land exists along State Route 12 and the Cowlitz River. Primary vehicle access via State Route 12 along the southern boundary and USFS Road 47 running north-south through the unit. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the eastern wilderness portion. No industrial timber company lands are present — no access permit fees required for the public land base. Wilderness areas require non-motorized access only. USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map (available free via Avenza app) is essential for legal road access. Contact Cowlitz Valley Ranger District (360-497-1100) for current road conditions and seasonal closures.

Three major forest zones by elevation: western hemlock zone (below ~3,300 ft) encompassing all winter range; Pacific silver fir zone at mid-elevation; mountain hemlock zone near treeline. The lower hemlock zone has been substantially altered by historic clear-cutting, creating a patchwork of old-growth remnants and second/third-growth stands — this mosaic provides good elk forage in early-successional areas adjacent to cover. Old-growth Douglas-fir and western red cedar persist on steeper slopes and in wilderness areas. Understory includes vine maple, Oregon grape, salal, and seasonal huckleberry. Alpine meadows occur above 5,000 ft. Grouse habitat (ruffed and sooty) is rated good; waterfowl habitat is poor.

Elk in GMU 513 include both resident animals that remain below 3,000 ft year-round and migratory animals that descend from Mount Rainier National Park summer ranges in late fall and winter, moving into the Cowlitz River valley winter range. Bull:cow ratios for the Cascade sub-herd (GMUs 510, 513, and part of 516) have historically averaged roughly 17 bulls per 100 cows preseason — below the statewide management target of 25:100. Elk tend to concentrate in river corridors and lower-elevation drainages by mid-October as snowpack pushes them downslope. Black-tailed deer occupy small home ranges in dense cover year-round; hunting is best late in the general season when rut activity coincides with cooler stalking conditions. Bear activity centers on huckleberry patches and clearcut edges at dawn and dusk through fall.

GMU 513 consistently ranks among the lower-productivity units in District 10 for both deer and black-tailed deer. The 2025 WDFW District 10 Hunting Prospects (the most authoritative current source) describe it as 'generally low in productivity for black-tailed deer and elk' with 'rugged terrain and limited access further contributing to low harvest rates.' The Carlton elk area (Elk Area 5057) covers that part of 513 east of Highway 123 and north of Highway 12 — a 3-point minimum antler restriction applies to all elk seasons. The South Rainier Elk Herd (shared with GMUs 510, 516-partial, and 667) is managed under a formal herd plan; the Cascade sub-herd (which includes 513) was estimated at ~1,700 elk as of the 2002 plan, down from ~3,800 in 1994, with a recovery objective of 2,500. As of 2025, WDFW notes the MSH herd index increased to ~1,250 adult females (spring 2024 survey), still below objectives. Treponeme-Associated Hoof Disease (TAHD) is documented in District 10 elk and affects the MSH herd. Hunters who harvest limping elk and submit hooves are entered into an incentive permit drawing. GMU 513 is NOT part of the Mt. St. Helens special permit elk areas (those are in GMU 522 and adjacent units). The two wilderness areas (Tatoosh, William O. Douglas) require pack-in access — horses and foot travel only. WDFW late buck season (typically Nov. 13-16) coincides with rut and is historically the best deer hunting opportunity in western Washington units.