GMU 627 - Kitsap, Washington

Low-elevation rolling hills and forested peninsula entirely surrounded by Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Elevation ranges from sea level to roughly 1,761 ft at Gold Mountain and 1,639 ft at Green Mountain. No significant alpine terrain. Landscape is dominated by second-growth Douglas fir, red alder, and western red cedar with interspersed clear-cuts in various seral stages. The Kitsap and Key peninsulas are geologically low-relief glaciated landforms with numerous small drainages, wetlands, and tidal flats at the margins.

Majority of GMU 627 is private land — residential, agricultural, naval (Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor and Bremerton), and industrial timberland. Primary public hunting lands: Green Mountain State Forest (DNR-managed, ~4,000 acres, Green Mountain Road accessed, ATV use on designated trails), Gold Mountain area (DNR parcels), and scattered DNR state forest sections throughout the Kitsap Peninsula. Rayonier holds the largest private timberland blocks and requires a free access permit (available at rayonier.com) for hunting access. Most access is walk-in or non-motorized; DNR allows ATV use on designated trails only. Bainbridge Island (part of GMU 627) is almost entirely private. No Olympic National Forest or Gifford Pinchot NF land within this unit.

Multi-aged industrial forestland is the primary matrix — Douglas fir, western hemlock, and red alder dominate closed-canopy stands. Recent clear-cuts (0–10 years post-harvest) provide the highest-quality deer forage: forbs, berry species, and shrubs. Salal, Oregon grape, and sword fern dominate understory in denser stands. Riparian corridors along small creeks offer year-round cover and water. Mid-seral stands (20–40 years) are the least productive for deer. Bainbridge Island has more residential and ornamental vegetation interspersed with second-growth forest. Rut typically begins late October and runs through late December for black-tailed deer.

Black-tailed deer on the Kitsap Peninsula are largely non-migratory given the low-elevation terrain and mild maritime climate. Deer shift seasonally between clear-cut foraging areas and dense conifer cover for bedding. No reliable elk herds exist in GMU 627 — WDFW District 15 biologist Bryan Murphie confirms no known elk herds; only rare individual bulls reported harvested infrequently. Black bear are present throughout the unit as part of the Puget Sound BBMU; most are harvested opportunistically by deer hunters. Bear density is estimated at moderate levels consistent with adjacent Puget Sound BBMUs (roughly 12–20 bears per 100 sq km based on nearby survey data). Cougar are present (CHMU 52, harvest cap of 2 independent-aged animals); primarily encountered incidentally.

Firearm restriction area: GMU 627 south of Hwy 302 on the Key (Longbranch) Peninsula — only archery, shotgun, crossbow, and muzzleloader allowed in this sub-area. One deer per license year (any antlered buck during general seasons). No spring bear hunts since 2022; general fall bear season Aug 1–Nov 15, two-bear limit. WDFW 2025 District 15 prospects describe GMU 627 as having good deer hunting potential based on field observations and recent harvest trends. Grouse (sooty and ruffed) present but Kitsap County has the lowest grouse harvest in District 15 (10-year average ~61 birds) due to limited motorized road access. Mountain quail present in young clear-cuts and scotch broom stands. Tribal hunting occurs in District 15 and may be encountered. Cougar season subject to CHMU 52 harvest cap closure — check 1-866-364-4868 hotline Thursdays before hunting.