WA Mule Deer Unit 654 — Mashel

WA 654 – Mashel: Terrain & Access Elevation & Habitat WA 654 spans 370 to 5,515 feet, encompassing low-elevation western Washington forest transitioning to higher montane terrain. This vertical spread supports both valley-floor access and alpine habitat, creating diverse hunting grounds across a substantial elevation gradient. Public Land Access Approximately 23% of the unit is public land—a significant constraint for nonresident DIY hunters. The majority of the landscape is private, predominantly timber company holdings. Public-land access requires either paying landowner fees or hiking from gate boundaries. Forum feedback indicates that public areas attract concentrated pressure from hunters seeking free..