49 Degrees North GMU 117 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 68 elk taken in GMU 117 49 Degrees North in 2025, 10 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 1,082 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 4,777 hunter days. GMU 117 is 34.6% public land open to hunting, the largest share national forest (178,613 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)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 117Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 610,316 acres (954 square miles) |
| Public land open to hunting | 34.6% (211,200 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 68 (88 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 1,082 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, any bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 5 hunts, 49 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Deer Park, Colville, Newport, Chewelah, Ione and Springdale |
Also for GMU 117: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 117?
WDFW reports 68 elk taken in GMU 117 in 2025, against 88 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 105, in 2013. WDFW's figures average 79 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 68 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 | 68 | 58 | 10 | 52 | 16 | 1,082 | 4,777 | 5 |
| 2024 | 88 | 72 | 16 | 53 | 35 | 1,096 | 4,945 | 7 |
| 2023 | 67 | 54 | 13 | 40 | 27 | 1,102 | 5,023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 90 | 75 | 15 | 73 | 17 | 1,254 | 5,581 | 6 |
| 2021 | 82 | 71 | 11 | 57 | 25 | 1,272 | 5,938 | 6 |
| 2020 | 56 | 47 | 9 | 41 | 15 | 1,389 | 6,498 | 3 |
| 2019 | 75 | 59 | 16 | 44 | 31 | 1,084 | 5,132 | 5 |
| 2018 | 78 | 63 | 15 | 60 | 18 | 1,221 | 5,778 | 5 |
| 2017 | 57 | 43 | 14 | 43 | 14 | 1,043 | 4,965 | 4 |
| 2016 | 74 | 62 | 12 | 51 | 23 | 1,396 | 6,885 | 4 |
| 2015 | 96 | 78 | 18 | 68 | 28 | 1,474 | 6,529 | 5 |
| 2014 | 91 | 71 | 20 | 70 | 21 | 1,308 | 5,738 | 5 |
| 2013 | 105 | 92 | 13 | 85 | 20 | 1,444 | 6,636 | 6 |
| 2012 | 89 | 79 | 10 | 73 | 16 | 1,325 | 6,006 | 6 |
| 2011 | 88 | 70 | 18 | 54 | 34 | 1,376 | 6,298 | 5 |
| 2010 | 87 | 67 | 20 | 50 | 37 | 1,384 | 6,055 | 5 |
| 2009 | 85 | 71 | 14 | 62 | 23 | 1,451 | 6,299 | 5 |
| 2008 | 68 | 52 | 16 | 49 | 20 | |||
| 2007 | 55 | 55 | not split out | 38 | 17 | 1,257 | 5,856 | 4 |
| 2006 | 46 | 46 | not split out | 41 | 5 | 1,145 | 4,731 | 4 |
| 2005 | 39 | 39 | not split out | 34 | 5 | 943 | 3,837 | 4 |
| 2004 | 36 | 36 | not split out | 31 | 5 | 1,081 | 4,535 | 3 |
| 2003 | 27 | 27 | not split out | 21 | 6 | 879 | 3,750 | 3 |
| 2002 | 26 | 26 | not split out | 20 | 6 | 823 | 3,555 | 3 |
| 2001 | 13 | 13 | not split out | 13 | 0 | 927 | 3,832 | 1 |
| 2000 | 30 | 30 | not split out | 30 | 0 | 1,861 | 6,088 | 2 |
| 1999 | 16 | 16 | not split out | 16 | 0 | 1,288 | 6,692 | 1 |
| 1998 | 9 | 9 | not split out | 9 | 0 | 726 | 2,978 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 | 2 | not split out | 2 | 0 | 483 | 1,770 | 0 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 117, 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 117 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 117 in 2025: 653, who took 37 (5.6% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 234 | 1,172 | 6 | 2.6% | 195 |
| Modern firearm | 653 | 2,617 | 37 | 5.6% | 71 |
| Muzzleloader | 174 | 828 | 13 | 7.4% | 64 |
| Multiple-season tag | 21 | 160 | 2 | 9.6% | 80 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 117?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 1-point (spike): 35 of 52 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 16 |
| 2024 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 35 |
| 2023 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 27 |
| 2022 | 28 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 7 | 17 |
| 2021 | 31 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 25 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 117 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 117, 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 117 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Any bull | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 44) |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | Any elk | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 45) |
| Archery | Late archery season | Nov. 25-Dec. 8 | Any bull | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Oct. 3-9 | Any bull | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 46) |
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 117?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 5 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 117, with 49 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2204 | 49 Degrees North Antlerless Elk | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMU 117 | 10 | 615 / 9 | 9 hunters, 3 taken |
| 2266 | 49 Degrees North Antlerless Elk | EM | Oct. 3-9 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMU 117 | 20 | 180 / 6 | |
| 2403 | 49 Degrees North Youth only | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMU 117 | 5 | 104 / 4 | 2 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2500 | Northeast Hunters 65 or older | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMUs 113, 117 | 10 | 236 / 10 | 7 hunters, 5 taken |
| 2600 | Northeast Hunters with disabilities | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMUs 113, 117 | 4 | 54 / 9 | 2 hunters, 2 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 51, 53, 55 and 56; 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 117?
34.6% of GMU 117 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 211,200 of its 610,316 acres. The largest share is national forest, 178,613 acres or 29.3% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 29,545 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 117 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 178,613 | 29.3% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 40,910 | 6.7% |
| DNR state trust land | 29,545 | 4.8% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 5,758 | 0.9% |
| WDFW land | 2,783 | 0.5% |
| BLM | 259 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 117, by WDFW's own boundaries: Sherman Creek Wildlife Area (2,817 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 117?
Highways through the unit: SR 20 (about 76 miles inside it), US 395 (about 37 miles inside it), US 2 (about 19 miles inside it) and SR 211 (about 15 miles inside it). Towns inside: Deer Park, Colville, Newport, Cusick and Clayton. Nearby: Chewelah (on the line), Ione (4 miles), Springdale (6 miles) and Kettle Falls (8 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 117?
GMU 117 touches 5 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 108 | Douglas | 24.3% | 15 | 220 |
| GMU 111 | Aladdin | 65.7% | 15 | 304 |
| GMU 113 | Selkirk | 76.3% | 47 | 755 |
| GMU 121 | Huckleberry | 19.7% | 121 | 1,078 |
| GMU 124 | Mount Spokane | 4.6% | 80 | 715 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 117 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 117 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 117?
WDFW reports 68 elk taken in GMU 117 in 2025: 52 antlered and 16 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 105, in 2013.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 117?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 5 elk permit hunts for GMU 117: 2204 49 Degrees North (10 permits), 2266 49 Degrees North (20 permits), 2403 49 Degrees North (5 permits), 2500 Northeast (10 permits) and 2600 Northeast (4 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 117?
34.6% of GMU 117, 211,200 of its 610,316 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 117?
Deer Park, Colville and Newport are inside the unit. Just outside: Chewelah (on the line), Ione (4 miles) and Springdale (6 miles).
Get a Washington hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Washington are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Washington included.
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 108 GMU 111 GMU 113 GMU 121 GMU 124