How big is GMU 633 in Washington?

GMU 633 (Mason) covers about 358 square miles, ranging from roughly 0 to 1,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.

What species does the catalog list for GMU 633?

Blacktail Deer, Black Bear, Cougar, Roosevelt Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Washington agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.

GMU 633 Mason

Shelton-country blacktail — Green Diamond and Manke timber with DNR's Tahuya Peninsula in the middle

WDFW Region 6 — Coastal / Mason County (District 15) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12

Hunter with a mule deer buck in dry grass

Area

358

sq mi

Public land

25%

approx.

Elevation

0–1,700

feet

Motorized

limited

access

Overview

GMU 633 (Mason) is a low-elevation blacktail unit wrapping the south end of Hood Canal and the inlets of southern Puget Sound. It runs from Shelton up US-101, crosses Hood Canal at Annas Bay, takes in the Tahuya State Forest on the Tahuya Peninsula, then swings south along Case Inlet and through Dana Passage and Totten Inlet to Oyster Bay. WDFW rates it among District 15's best deer bets: rolling forests clear-cut into a patchwork of cover produce blacktail throughout the unit. Hunting is dominated by Green Diamond Resource Co. and Manke Lumber Co. private timber plus extensive DNR holdings on the Tahuya Peninsula. There is no elk herd — occasional bulls only.

Terrain

Cool, forested rolling country at low elevation, laced with the saltwater fingers of Hood Canal, Case Inlet, Totten Inlet and Oyster Bay. The Tahuya Peninsula's timbered hills and DNR forest form the interior high ground; most of the unit sits below 1,000 feet.

Cover: A working-forest mosaic of Douglas-fir and red alder in cyclic clearcuts, replants and second growth, with salal, salmonberry, scotch broom and sword fern. The best deer cover is younger 5-10 year cuts, riparian bottoms and mature stands mixed through the industrial timber.

Landmarks: Tahuya State Forest / Tahuya Peninsula · Annas Bay / south Hood Canal · Case Inlet · Totten Inlet · Oyster Bay · Belfair · Union

Access

WDFW: most hunting occurs on private property controlled by Green Diamond Resource Co. and Manke Lumber Co., while DNR has extensive holdings on the Tahuya Peninsula. Green Diamond runs a public-access program — an access permit is required to hunt much of its ground. Whether state or private, most access is walk-in or by non-motorized vehicle, except DNR allows ATV use on designated trails on the Tahuya complex. Green Diamond gate openings can be delayed by fire danger and active logging.

Managers: Green Diamond Resource Co., Manke Lumber Co., WDNR (Tahuya State Forest), Private

Access points: US-101 corridor at Shelton · Tahuya State Forest DNR roads and designated ATV trails · DNR access northwest of Belfair · Green Diamond mainlines (permit) around Shelton/Matlock margins · Union / SR-106 approaches to the Tahuya Peninsula

Species notes

Blacktail Deer

common opportunity

The reason to hunt this unit. WDFW: field observations and harvest trends show good deer potential in Mason (with 621 and 627), and blacktail do well throughout this populated, clear-cut landscape wherever thick cover is close. Harvest has trended slowly upward. All weapons have general and permit opportunity.

→Hunt fresh 5-10 year clearcuts and their edges on Green Diamond and Manke ground at dawn and dusk
→Work the DNR Tahuya Peninsula forest, which offers the largest walk-in public block
→Still-hunt riparian bottoms and salal thickets where deer bed near safe cover
→Because deer are spread throughout the unit, find lightly hunted cuts away from the main gates
→Target the November rut along cut edges and field margins for mature bucks

Black Bear

common opportunity

Black bear occur throughout the unit as part of the Puget Sound Black Bear Management Unit (with 624 and 627). Most are taken incidentally by deer hunters over the long Aug 1-Nov 15 season; District 15 bear success runs roughly 7-11 percent.

→Glass regenerating clearcuts and berry-rich edges in late summer for feeding bears
→Hunt the timber-road and alder-bottom margins early and late
→Carry a bear tag while blacktail hunting — dedicated bear pursuit does better than opportunistic tags

Cougar

common opportunity

Cougars follow the abundant blacktail through the Mason timber. GMU 633 is grouped into CHMU 53 (with 636 and 651) under an independent-aged harvest cap of 8 for 2025, and — unlike in past years — the unit can now close mid-season. Call the WDFW cougar hotline (1-866-364-4868, updated Thursdays) before hunting.

→Most cougar harvest is incidental to deer hunting; dedicated hunters fare better
→Hunt where deer concentrate on the working forest and Tahuya block
→Confirm the CHMU 53 season is still open before you go

Roosevelt Elk

transient low

Not an elk unit. WDFW: there are no known herds in GMU 633, though the Department occasionally receives elk sighting reports and hunters harvest bulls infrequently.

→Do not plan a trip around elk here — hunt 621, 636 or 651 in the district for Roosevelt elk
→Treat any elk as an incidental, chance encounter

Pro tips

→Get the Green Diamond Resource Co. access permit before the season and learn which gates and blocks it covers — it is the key that opens most of the huntable private ground
→Use the DNR Tahuya State Forest as your reliable walk-in public option, and its designated ATV trails for access
→Scout for fresh 5-10 year clearcuts and hunt their edges — that is where blacktail density peaks in this working forest
→Deer are spread throughout the unit, so hunt the cuts other people skip and let pressure push bucks to you
→Verify the CHMU 53 cougar season is open (cap of 8) before any cat-focused effort

Watch out for

!Most of the unit is private Green Diamond and Manke timber; a Green Diamond access permit is required for much of it
!Access is largely walk-in or non-motorized — motorized use is limited to DNR designated ATV trails
!Green Diamond gate openings can be delayed by fire danger and active logging operations
!CHMU 53 cougar season can now close mid-year under the harvest cap; call the hotline
!Watch for private inholdings and residential edges near the inlets and shorelines

Logistics

Shelton is the hub — lodging, gas stations, restaurants and a grocery store — with Belfair, Union and Allyn serving the Tahuya and Case Inlet side. DNR camping is available on the Tahuya State Forest; most hunters day-trip or car-camp. Cell coverage is good near US-101 and the towns and thins on the interior timberlands.

Nearest towns: Shelton, Belfair, Union, Allyn, Grapeview

Nearby units

GMU 655 · Anderson Island GMU 666 · Deschutes GMU 627 · Kitsap GMU 651 · Satsop

Seasons & regulations

This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Washington sources:

Research sources: WDFW 2025 District 15 Hunting Prospects (Region 6) · WDFW Game Management Units (GMUs) · GOHUNT Washington Unit 633 (Mason) profile

FAQ

How big is GMU 633 in Washington?: GMU 633 (Mason) covers about 358 square miles, ranging from roughly 0 to 1,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
How much public land is in GMU 633?: Approximately 25% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: Green Diamond Resource Co., Manke Lumber Co., WDNR (Tahuya State Forest), Private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
What species does the catalog list for GMU 633?: Blacktail Deer, Black Bear, Cougar, Roosevelt Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Washington agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.

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