GMU 673 - Williams Creek, Washington

Low, rolling Willapa Hills in southwest Washington; part of the southern sub-herd area for the Willapa Hills elk herd. Elevations range from near sea level in valley bottoms to approximately 3,000 ft at the highest ridges (Willapa Hills highest point is ~3,087 ft). Landscape dominated by steep, rolling second- and third-growth conifer hillsides, swampy creek and river bottoms, and clearcuts in various stages of succession. Extremely wet coastal climate — some areas receive 100+ inches annual rainfall supporting near-temperate-rainforest conditions. Drainages include Williams Creek and tributaries flowing toward the Naselle River and Willapa Bay system.

Access Rating: Poor (WDFW official designation). Unit is approximately 75% private land, 25% public land (~24% state DNR). Primary private timberland owners as of 2024–2025: Manulife, FIA (Forest Investment Associates), Hampton Lumber, Campbell Global. DNR owns large tracts. Most Hancock/Manulife lands limit public access to non-motorized only, with select main logging roads opened during the general modern firearm season to disperse hunters. FIA has recreational lease and fee-access areas available through American Forest Management. No National Forest land in this unit. Checkerboard ownership pattern — hunters must verify current access policy for each landowner before entering. Pacific County tax parcels searchable via Mapsifter; DNR PLQ maps available for ~$10 on DNR website. WDFW Private Lands Access Program participants may exist but agreements must be confirmed through Region 6 Montesano office (360-249-4628). Mountain biking with trailers behind locked gates (non-motorized access allowed) is a popular tactic to reach unhunted interior areas; e-bikes are frequently restricted.

Dominated by second- and third-growth Douglas fir and western hemlock managed for industrial timber production; some stands of red alder, particularly along riparian corridors. Active clearcuts and 3–9 year post-harvest areas provide the most critical deer and elk habitat — young regrowth offers abundant forage and cover. Understory in mature stands is dense with salal, sword fern, and berry-producing shrubs (elderberry, salmonberry, huckleberry, blackberry) critical to black bears. Swamps and creek bottoms remain green longer into fall and attract elk during warm early seasons. Some Sitka spruce in lower-elevation coastal fog belt areas.

Roosevelt elk in the Willapa Hills do not move far — animals displaced from an area are typically within 1–2 miles of where last seen. Elk concentrate in swamps, creek bottoms, and riparian areas during warm early archery season; shift to benches in steep terrain with thick cover as season progresses and temperatures drop. Hunting pressure pushes elk into thicker, more topographically isolated terrain later in season. Clearcut landings and ungraveled roads are excellent sign-reading locations. Herd-wide 2025 survey: 5,711 elk estimated in Willapa Hills herd; GMU 673 south sub-herd showed calf:cow ratio of 30:100 and bull:cow ratio of 15:100 — productive herd with solid harvest opportunity. Black-tailed deer home ranges are extremely small (average ~86 acres, max ~243 acres) — locate sign and sit nearby. Rut peaks last week of October through first week of November.

GMU 673 ranked #1 for elk harvest among all 12 District 17 GMUs (2023 and 2024 WDFW data; rank order: 673, 658, 660, 681). District 17 total elk harvest 2024: 486 (349 bulls, 137 cows); 2023: 565; 2022: 636; 2021: 768. 2021 statewide ranking: 93 bulls harvested — second highest elk unit in Washington. Treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) is present in the Willapa Hills herd — inspect harvested animals; disease does not affect meat if handled with normal hygiene. Several timber companies shifted to fee-access programs 2022–2025, reducing public hunter density. Fire danger closures possible during hot/dry early archery seasons (e.g., 2012, 2021 precedents). Bear season opens Aug. 15; bag limit one bear. Cougar harvest cap for GMU 673 hunt area (658/660/663/672/673/681/684/699): 13 animals. Elk hoof disease more prevalent in Willapa Hills herd than Olympic herd.