Kelly Hill GMU 105 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 18 elk taken in GMU 105 Kelly Hill in 2025, 1 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 238 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 1,582 hunter days. GMU 105 is 47.5% public land open to hunting, the largest share national forest (54,782 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 landNational recreation areaGMU 105Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 189,555 acres (296 square miles) |
| Counties | Stevens |
| Public land open to hunting | 47.5% (90,034 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 18 (12 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 238 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, any bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 2 hunts, 20 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Marcus, Northport and Kettle Falls |
Also for GMU 105: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 105?
WDFW reports 18 elk taken in GMU 105 in 2025, against 12 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 24, in 2021. WDFW's figures average 18 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 18 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 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 238 | 1,582 | 7 |
| 2024 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 215 | 1,019 | 5 |
| 2023 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 185 | 963 | 9 |
| 2022 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 241 | 1,361 | 7 | |
| 2021 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 223 | 1,187 | 10 |
| 2020 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 253 | 1,441 | 6 |
| 2019 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 20 | 3 | 236 | 1,208 | 9 |
| 2018 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 230 | 1,145 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 20 | 4 | 217 | 1,157 | 10 |
| 2016 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 219 | 1,111 | 6 | |
| 2015 | 17 | 15 | 2 | 14 | 3 | 258 | 1,267 | 6 |
| 2014 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 238 | 1,318 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 231 | 1,163 | 8 | |
| 2012 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 238 | 1,212 | 4 | |
| 2011 | 17 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 326 | 1,622 | 5 | |
| 2010 | 21 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 351 | 1,571 | 6 | |
| 2009 | 23 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 330 | 1,578 | 7 | |
| 2008 | 14 | 14 | 5 | 9 | ||||
| 2007 | 18 | 18 | not split out | 7 | 11 | 247 | 1,097 | 7 |
| 2006 | 15 | 15 | not split out | 3 | 12 | 237 | 1,006 | 6 |
| 2005 | 14 | 14 | not split out | 7 | 7 | 199 | 701 | 7 |
| 2004 | 7 | 7 | not split out | 5 | 2 | 214 | 804 | 3 |
| 2003 | 15 | 15 | not split out | 10 | 5 | 165 | 702 | 9 |
| 2002 | 5 | 5 | not split out | 1 | 4 | 173 | 682 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 | 1 | not split out | 0 | 1 | 189 | 824 | 1 |
| 2000 | 5 | 5 | not split out | 5 | 0 | 343 | 1,358 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 209 | 1,018 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 16 | not split out | 0 | 16 | 130 | 361 | 12 |
| 1997 | 11 | 11 | not split out | 6 | 5 | 126 | 488 | 9 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 105, 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 105 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 105 in 2025: 149, who took 5 (3.4% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 52 | 360 | 6 | 11.6% | 60 |
| Modern firearm | 149 | 1,036 | 5 | 3.4% | 207 |
| Muzzleloader | 34 | 143 | 6 | 17.6% | 24 |
| Multiple-season tag | 3 | 43 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 105?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 4-point: 5 of 15 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 2024 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 105 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 105, 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 105 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 105?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 2 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 105, 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 105?
47.5% of GMU 105 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 90,034 of its 189,555 acres. The largest share is national forest, 54,782 acres or 28.9% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 20,029 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 105 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 54,782 | 28.9% |
| DNR state trust land | 20,029 | 10.6% |
| National recreation area | 11,714 | 6.2% |
| BLM | 3,509 | 1.9% |
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 105?
No numbered highway crosses the unit. Nearby: Marcus (on the line), Northport (on the line), Kettle Falls (on the line) and Colville (9 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 105?
GMU 105 touches 4 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 101 | Sherman | 72.8% | 10 | 305 |
| GMU 108 | Douglas | 24.3% | 15 | 220 |
| GMU 111 | Aladdin | 65.7% | 15 | 304 |
| GMU 121 | Huckleberry | 19.7% | 121 | 1,078 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 105 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 105 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 105?
WDFW reports 18 elk taken in GMU 105 in 2025: 15 antlered and 3 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 24, in 2021.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 105?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 2 elk permit hunts for GMU 105: 2200 North Half (10 permits) and 2262 North Half (10 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 105?
47.5% of GMU 105, 90,034 of its 189,555 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 105?
No town or Census-listed community is inside it. The nearest towns are Marcus (on the line), Northport (on the line) and Kettle Falls (on the line).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 105
Beginning at the Kettle River (Ferry-Stevens county line) and the US-Canadian border east of the town of Laurier; E on the US-Canadian border to Lake Roosevelt (Columbia River); SW along the eastern shore of Lake Roosevelt to the US Hwy (US) 395 bridge; W on US 395 over the bridge to the western shore of Lake Roosevelt; N on the western shore of Lake Roosevelt to the mouth of the Kettle River; N up the Kettle River (Ferry-Stevens county line) to the US-Canadian border east of the town of Laurier and the 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 101 GMU 108 GMU 111 GMU 121