Sherman GMU 101 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 10 elk taken in GMU 101 Sherman in 2025. General-season hunters numbered 305 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 1,714 hunter days. GMU 101 is 72.8% public land open to hunting, the largest share national forest (465,003 acres), measured from WA DNR's public land maps.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: WDFW reports for 1997 to 2025. Seasons and permits: WDFW's 2026 pamphlet with its April 2026 corrections. Land: WA DNR, 2026-10.
National forestBLMDNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)National recreation areaOther public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 101Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 705,298 acres (1,102 square miles) |
| Counties | Ferry and Okanogan |
| Public land open to hunting | 72.8% (513,553 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 10 (37 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 305 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, any bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 2 hunts, 20 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Republic, Curlew Lake, Torboy, Marcus, Kettle Falls and Colville |
Also for GMU 101: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 101?
WDFW reports 10 elk taken in GMU 101 in 2025, against 37 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 37, in 2024. WDFW's figures average 18 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 8 a year for 2016 to 2020.
| Year | Elk taken, all hunts | General season | Special permit | Antlered | Antlerless | General-season hunters | Hunter days | Elk per 100 general hunters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 305 | 1,714 | 3 |
| 2024 | 37 | 36 | 1 | 33 | 4 | 312 | 1,951 | 12 |
| 2023 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 13 | 3 | 296 | 1,301 | 5 |
| 2022 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 317 | 1,488 | 4 |
| 2021 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 245 | 1,158 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 281 | 1,294 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 210 | 982 | 6 |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 210 | 956 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 201 | 818 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 207 | 1,088 | 4 | |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 165 | 746 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 204 | 894 | 2 | |
| 2013 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 202 | 966 | 4 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 190 | 751 | 5 | |
| 2011 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 187 | 807 | 6 |
| 2010 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 214 | 899 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 15 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 242 | 974 | 5 |
| 2008 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| 2007 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 221 | 836 | 1 |
| 2006 | 6 | 6 | not split out | 1 | 5 | 240 | 883 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 1 | 2 | 180 | 674 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 | 1 | not split out | 0 | 1 | 191 | 718 | 1 |
| 2003 | 7 | 7 | not split out | 5 | 2 | 162 | 691 | 4 |
| 2002 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 2 | 1 | 220 | 949 | 1 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 238 | 826 | 0 |
| 2000 | 7 | 7 | not split out | 3 | 4 | 386 | 1,068 | 2 |
| 1999 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 178 | 546 | 2 |
| 1998 | 5 | 5 | not split out | 0 | 5 | 100 | 169 | 5 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 92 | 233 | 0 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 101, 1997 to 2025), read through WDFW's Hunt Planner harvest table. "All hunts" is WDFW's general plus special permit total where it publishes one (from 2008), otherwise the general season. Where WDFW gives no all-weapon hunter count, the hunters and days shown are its per-weapon counts added together. Elk per 100 general hunters is worked out from WDFW's own two figures. The averages above are of WDFW's yearly figures.
How did each weapon do in GMU 101 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 101 in 2025: 165, who took 2 (1.2% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 84 | 517 | 4 | 4.8% | 129 |
| Modern firearm | 165 | 977 | 2 | 1.2% | 489 |
| Muzzleloader | 48 | 187 | 2 | 4.2% | 94 |
| Multiple-season tag | 8 | 33 | 2 | 25% | 17 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 101?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 1-point (spike): 6 of 10 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 101 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 101, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, any bull); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (any bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (any bull).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 101 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Any bull | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | Any elk | All hunters | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Nov. 25-Dec. 8 | Any bull | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Oct. 3-9 | Any bull | All hunters |
Source: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 44, 45 and 46, with WDFW's April 2026 corrections. WDFW can change a season during the year: check WDFW's regulations page before you go.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 101?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 2 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 101, with 20 permits in all. The applicant counts and average points are the ones WDFW prints for the 2025 drawing; the 2025 results are from WDFW's harvest report for each hunt number.
| Hunt | Name and category | Tag | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Unit or area | 2026 permits | 2025 applicants / average points (WDFW) | 2025 result: hunters, elk taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2200 | North Half Antlerless Elk | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMUs 101, 105, 204 | 10 | 273 / 8 | 5 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2262 | North Half Antlerless Elk | EM | Oct. 3-9 | Antlerless | GMUs 101, 105, 204 | 10 | 77 / 8 |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 51 and 53; WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk individual hunts, 2025). A hunt's 2025 result is shown only where the 2025 hunt had the same number and name.
How much public land is in GMU 101?
72.8% of GMU 101 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 513,553 of its 705,298 acres. The largest share is national forest, 465,003 acres or 65.9% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 32,281 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 101 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 465,003 | 65.9% |
| DNR state trust land | 32,281 | 4.6% |
| BLM | 7,652 | 1.1% |
| WDFW land | 6,939 | 1% |
| National recreation area | 1,678 | 0.2% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 562 | 0.1% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 154 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 101, by WDFW's own boundaries: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area (8,100 acres here).
Measured by FilledTag inside WDFW's GMU boundary (WDFW game management units, in effect April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027) from WA DNR Major Public Lands (non-DNR) and WA DNR Managed Land Parcels, read 2026-10. Tribal land is not counted as public. National wildlife refuges, military land and "other public" land (state parks, county, city and other agencies) are not counted as open to hunting: each sets its own rules.
How do you get to GMU 101?
Highways through the unit: SR 20 (about 50 miles inside it), SR 21 (about 36 miles inside it) and US 395 (about 29 miles inside it). Towns inside: Republic, Curlew Lake, Torboy, Curlew, Barstow and Pine Grove. Nearby: Marcus (2 miles), Kettle Falls (3 miles), Colville (11 miles) and Northport (18 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 101?
GMU 101 touches 3 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 105 | Kelly Hill | 47.5% | 18 | 238 |
| GMU 121 | Huckleberry | 19.7% | 121 | 1,078 |
| GMU 204 | Okanogan East | 47.7% | 35 | 503 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 101 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 101 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, any bull); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (any bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (any bull).
How many elk are taken in GMU 101?
WDFW reports 10 elk taken in GMU 101 in 2025: 10 antlered and 0 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 37, in 2024.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 101?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 2 elk permit hunts for GMU 101: 2200 North Half (10 permits) and 2262 North Half (10 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 101?
72.8% of GMU 101, 513,553 of its 705,298 acres, is national forest, BLM, DNR trust, WDFW, Reclamation or national recreation area land; the largest share is national forest. Measured by FilledTag from WA DNR's public land maps.
What town is closest to GMU 101?
Republic, Curlew Lake and Torboy are inside the unit. Just outside: Marcus (2 miles), Kettle Falls (3 miles) and Colville (11 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 101
Beginning at the Kettle River and the US-Canadian border near the Ferry Customs Office, north of the town of Toroda; E on the US-Canadian border to the Kettle River, east of the town of Laurier; S down the Kettle River (Ferry-Stevens county line) to the mouth of the Kettle River on Lake Roosevelt; S down the western shore of Lake Roosevelt to the northeastern corner of the Colville Indian reservation; W on the northern Colville Indian reservation boundary to State Route (SR) 21; N on SR 21 to SR 20 at the town of Republic; NW on SR 20 to Toroda Creek Rd at the town of Wauconda; NE on the Toroda Creek Rd to Toroda Creek at the town of Toroda; E along Toroda Creek to its mouth on the Kettle River; N up the Kettle River to the US-Canadian border near the Ferry Customs Office north of the town of Toroda and point of beginning.
From WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, Game Management Unit Descriptions.
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Where these numbers come from
- Harvest, hunters, days and success: WDFW Game Harvest Reports.
- Seasons, special permits, applicants and points: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations.
- Public land: WA DNR Major Public Lands (non-DNR) and WA DNR Managed Land Parcels, read 2026-10. GMU boundary: WDFW game management units, in effect April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
- Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
FilledTag is not part of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Numbers are copied from WDFW and the State of Washington, or measured from their maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag. WDFW's regulations are the final word on every rule.
Washington hunting Washington elk by GMU Region 1 GMU 105 GMU 121 GMU 204