Game Management Units
George K. Tsukamoto, Staff Biologist

Have you ever wondered why big game hunting seasons are established by Game Management Units? To answer this question a little historical background is necessary.

Prior to statehood the Washington territorial government was in place and the first laws were established by the territorial legislature for the protection and management of the fish and wildlife resources of the area. In 1854 the legislative assembly of the territory of Washington enacted a law that gave the county commissioners of each and every county authority, “if they think proper,” to offer a bounty for killing wild animals. This was the first law establishing wildlife management by county.

In 1899 the State Legislature authorized each county to appoint a game warden and described the duties thereof to enforce the provisions of the game laws; however, the hunting seasons were established statewide with few exceptions. In 1915 the State Legislature established all big and small game hunting seasons by county.

In 1933 the State Legislature amended the laws and included this statement. The State Game Commission is, “To investigate the geographic, climatic and biological conditions of the various portions of the State of Washington, and to divide the state into contiguous areas of convenient size and location for administrative purposes, having the same or similar geographic, climatic, and biological conditions, which areas shall be known as game areas and designated respectively by names appropriate to their geographic location.” Hunting season pamphlets did not reflect this change until 1952 when Game Management Units were first established for deer and elk and displayed on a statewide map. There were 47 Game Management Units (GMUs) established, primarily to identify areas where special seasons were held. Not all areas of the State were included in a described GMU at the time.

The number of GMUs increased rapidly during the next ten years and by 1962 there were 97 units described. Statewide coverage was finally achieved in 1965 with 116 GMUs and 2 special “High Buck” areas. More intensive resource and people management has resulted in complexity of rules and regulations and even more GMUs and special area descriptions. Special area descriptions were primarily used to designate hunting areas with special seasons and rules to address game damage issues, population reduction, or provide additional hunting opportunity outside the established general hunting season. Prior to 1975 a number designated each GMU; however, in 1975 all GMUs were also given a name, usually after a prominent feature of the unit. The number of GMUs peaked in 1990 with 149 units and 38 special area descriptions. Currently (2003) there are 137 GMUs and 25 special area descriptions.

For the resource managers the GMUs and special area descriptions serve a valuable function. It helps them manage a specific geographic area and collect data to determine population health, harvest trends, population status, mortality, productivity and monitor harvest. It aids in the collection of consistent data to determine long-term population trends and establish hunting season recommendations. For the hunter it helps them to identify areas of interest to hunt and locate new areas. It also aids the hunter in reporting his hunting activity.
According to Jim Rieck, Game Staff Biologist, “Game management unit numbers are used for a variety of purposes. The primary reason for a unit number is for data management. Numbers tend to take up less space than do names, are easier to key, and can be referred to in a series…. The numbers are also used for data entry as a shortcut or alternative to keying the names. The data entry operator could be someone in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Information Systems staff, field staff filing out data forms, or the hunters using the automated telephone or Internet hunter report systems.”

GMUs and special area descriptions undergo boundary changes from time to time with many changes this year. Units were redefined to make boundaries easier to locate on a standard map (USGS topos) and on the ground). Department biologists try to keep significant changes to a minimum but hunters should check the current hunting pamphlet to review the changes (changes are highlighted).