game management unit · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
GMU 290 Desert
Washington, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About GMU 290 Desert
GMU 290 Desert is a game management unit in Washington, United States, set by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. It covers about 745 km² (288 mi²). No town of the HuntGrid list lies inside it; the nearest is Moses Lake, about 2.8 km from its edge.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's data for the 2026 season. The agency's regulations say which species and seasons use it.
- Unit code
- 290
- Area
- 745 km²
- Area (miles)
- 288 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 322 km² of public or protected land inside it, 43% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife | 251 | 34% |
| Unknown | 84 | 11% |
| Unknown | 53 | 7% |
| Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife | 8.3 | 1% |
| City of Moses Lake | 0.1 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cougar (mountain lion) | Sep 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 | source |
| Wild turkey | Sep 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 15, 2026 | source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 15, 2026 | archery source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 31, 2026 to Nov 15, 2026 | muzzleloader source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
What HuntGrid shows for GMU 290 Desert
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is GMU 290 Desert (game management unit)?
About 745 km² (288 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in GMU 290 Desert?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 322 km² of public or protected land, 43% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for GMU 290 Desert?
This page lists 5 seasons a person has checked against Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to GMU 290 Desert?
In the same unit system: GMU 272 Beezley and GMU 278 Wahluke.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The official regulations and maps have the final word.