GMU 572 - Siouxon, Washington
Unit info
- Game species
- Roosevelt Elk, Black-tailed Deer, Black Bear, Forest Grouse
- Group
- Region 5
- Area
- N/A
- Public land
- 92%
Elk — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 26
Draw odds for Elkaren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Black Bear — season & harvest
- Tag type
- General statewide black bear tag; no draw required
Early season (August–September) targets bears on late-summer berry crops in burn areas and clearcut edges—glass from ridges to locate bears feeding at dawn and dusk. Blackberries, huckleberries, and salmonberries are key attractants. Bears are also commonly encountered incidentally by elk and deer hunters. Check for cubs before shooting.
Draw odds for Black Beararen't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Forest Grouse — season & harvest
- Tag type
- General small game license; no draw required
- Reported harvest
- Skamania County 10-year average approximately 1,270 grouse annually; 2024 was lowest in 10 years but favorable 2025 brood conditions expected
Hunt brushy riparian areas along Siouxon Creek and overgrown logging roads. Most grouse harvest in District 9 occurs opportunistically during general deer and elk seasons. Best success comes from covering many miles on foot and targeting areas with dense understory brush.
Draw odds for Forest Grousearen't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Roosevelt Elk — season & harvest
- Tag type
- General western Washington tag (WF = modern firearm, WA = archery, EM = muzzleloader); no limited-entry draw required for general seasons
- Reported harvest
- GMU 572 is listed as one of the productive elk units in District 9 alongside GMUs 574 and 560
Key on recent clearcuts, forest thinning units, and the 2020 Big Hollow Fire perimeter for elk feeding on forbs and browse. Early archery season coincides with the rut—bulls respond to cow calls and bugles in September. For modern firearm season, push past the first mile of road access to escape pressure. TAHD-affected limping elk should be prioritized for harvest per WDFW incentive program.
Draw odds for Roosevelt Elkaren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Black-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Tag type
- General western Washington deer tag; any buck; no draw required
- Reported harvest
- Cascade Mountain units (560, 572, 574) have generally lower deer densities than lower-elevation District 9 units
Focus on clearcut edges and recent thinning units at dawn and dusk. Deer are highly nocturnal in dense cover—position early. During the rut (late October through late December), bucks travel to open habitats including clearcut interiors and meadows. The late archery season (Nov. 26–Dec. 15) covers peak rut and accounts for roughly one-third of annual southwest region buck harvest.
Draw odds for Black-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedGMU 572 (Siouxon) sits almost entirely within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Skamania County, offering roughly 92% public land access anchored by the Siouxon Creek drainage, the Dark Divide Roadless Area, and the Indian Heaven and Trapper Creek Wilderness areas. Roosevelt elk are the primary target species with general western tag seasons across archery, muzzleloader, and modern firearm; black-tailed deer populations have been low following the hard 2016-17 winter but are slowly recovering, and black bears are present throughout under the South Cascades West Black Bear Management Unit. The 2020 Big Hollow Fire burned a significant portion of the unit—creating new edge habitat that benefits both elk and deer—but hazardous conditions and closures may persist, so hunters should verify access with the Gifford Pinchot NF Cowlitz Valley Ranger District before scouting.
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Elk hoof disease (TAHD) is confirmed in the MSH elk herd area including GMU 572. Hunters are encouraged to submit hooves at collection stations—participants are entered for incentive bull permits.,The 2020 Big Hollow Fire burned a significant portion of GMU 572. Hazardous snags and periodic closures may still exist. Verify with GPNF Cowlitz Valley Ranger District (360-497-1103) before scouting.,MSH elk herd populations declined from mid-2000s highs; spring 2024 survey showed a 38% increase vs 2022, suggesting recovery is underway.,Washington uses a pure random draw for special elk permits—no preference point accumulation.,Black bear season runs Aug. 1–Nov. 15, 2025 in the South Cascades West BBMU. Bag limit is 2 per license year. Successful hunters must submit a premolar tooth by Dec. 1.,Forest grouse (ruffed and sooty/blue) can be hunted Sept. 15–Jan. 15.,District 9 deer hunters are expected to harvest approximately 2,000 bucks districtwide in 2025 with a 20-30% anticipated success rate.,GMU 572 falls within the Western Washington elk tag area. Eastern Washington elk tags are NOT valid here.
- WDFW 2025 District 9 Hunting Prospects — Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat Counties (September 2025)
- WAC 220-415-050: 2024-2026 Elk General Seasons and Definitions
- WAC 220-415-020: 2024-2026 Deer General Seasons and Definitions
- USFS Gifford Pinchot NF — Dark Divide Roadless Area
- USFS Gifford Pinchot NF — Siouxon Trailhead
- WDFW Game Management Units (GMUs)
Questions, tips & discussion
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Boundaries: WDFW official Game Management Units. Community info last updated 24d ago.