Huckleberry GMU 121 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 121 elk taken in GMU 121 Huckleberry in 2025, 9 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 1,078 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 5,308 hunter days. GMU 121 is 19.7% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (61,518 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 areaGMU 121Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 508,988 acres (795 square miles) |
| Counties | Stevens |
| Public land open to hunting | 19.7% (100,396 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 121 (112 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 1,078 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, any bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 5 hunts, 80 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Chewelah, Springdale, Kettle Falls, Colville, Marcus and Deer Park |
Also for GMU 121: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 121?
WDFW reports 121 elk taken in GMU 121 in 2025, against 112 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 129, in 2023. WDFW's figures average 107 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 66 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 | 121 | 112 | 9 | 106 | 15 | 1,078 | 5,308 | 10 |
| 2024 | 112 | 105 | 7 | 99 | 13 | 1,110 | 4,953 | 9 |
| 2023 | 129 | 125 | 4 | 124 | 5 | 923 | 4,109 | 14 |
| 2022 | 81 | 79 | 2 | 79 | 2 | 922 | 3,983 | 9 |
| 2021 | 94 | 92 | 2 | 89 | 5 | 900 | 4,017 | 10 |
| 2020 | 84 | 82 | 2 | 79 | 5 | 1,043 | 4,441 | 8 |
| 2019 | 103 | 102 | 1 | 96 | 7 | 840 | 3,632 | 12 |
| 2018 | 51 | 47 | 4 | 44 | 7 | 732 | 3,149 | 6 |
| 2017 | 48 | 47 | 1 | 42 | 6 | 621 | 2,696 | 8 |
| 2016 | 46 | 44 | 2 | 41 | 5 | 719 | 3,195 | 6 |
| 2015 | 46 | 44 | 2 | 42 | 4 | 569 | 2,283 | 8 |
| 2014 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 5 | 444 | 1,883 | 0 |
| 2013 | 26 | 25 | 1 | 22 | 4 | 532 | 2,305 | 5 |
| 2012 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 24 | 5 | 527 | 2,353 | 5 |
| 2011 | 44 | 44 | 20 | 24 | 589 | 2,573 | 7 | |
| 2010 | 25 | 25 | 13 | 12 | 602 | 2,392 | 4 | |
| 2009 | 33 | 33 | 20 | 13 | 662 | 2,629 | 5 | |
| 2008 | 18 | 18 | 7 | 11 | ||||
| 2007 | 19 | 19 | not split out | 8 | 11 | 532 | 2,191 | 4 |
| 2006 | 28 | 28 | not split out | 13 | 15 | 509 | 2,013 | 6 |
| 2005 | 9 | 9 | not split out | 5 | 4 | 467 | 1,694 | 2 |
| 2004 | 19 | 19 | not split out | 9 | 10 | 531 | 1,967 | 4 |
| 2003 | 11 | 11 | not split out | 5 | 6 | 430 | 1,619 | 3 |
| 2002 | 5 | 5 | not split out | 2 | 3 | 477 | 1,816 | 1 |
| 2001 | 8 | 8 | not split out | 2 | 6 | 486 | 1,902 | 2 |
| 2000 | 9 | 9 | not split out | 9 | 0 | 1,091 | 2,839 | 1 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 615 | 2,755 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 16 | not split out | 0 | 16 | 296 | 839 | 5 |
| 1997 | 9 | 9 | not split out | 4 | 5 | 160 | 679 | 6 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 121, 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 121 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 121 in 2025: 634, who took 63 (10% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 257 | 1,610 | 14 | 5.4% | 115 |
| Modern firearm | 634 | 2,842 | 63 | 10% | 45 |
| Muzzleloader | 164 | 626 | 31 | 19% | 20 |
| Multiple-season tag | 23 | 230 | 4 | 17.4% | 58 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 121?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 1-point (spike): 48 of 106 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 48 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 13 | 15 |
| 2024 | 37 | 21 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 22 | 13 |
| 2023 | 26 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 35 | 28 | 5 |
| 2022 | 19 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 2 |
| 2021 | 32 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 21 | 18 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 121 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 121, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, any elk); 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 121 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 elk | 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 121?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 5 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 121, with 80 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2205 | Huckleberry Antlerless Elk | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMU 121 | 20 | 734 / 8 | 11 hunters, 2 taken |
| 2206 | Fruitland Antlerless Elk | EF, EM, EA | Jan. 1-Feb. 15, 2027 | Antlerless | Elk Area 1021 | 20 | 429 / 7 | 6 hunters, 2 taken |
| 2267 | Huckleberry Antlerless Elk | EM | Oct. 3-9 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMU 121 | 20 | 182 / 7 | |
| 2404 | Huckleberry Youth only | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMU 121 | 15 | 198 / 3 | 4 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2601 | Huckleberry Hunters with disabilities | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 and Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | GMU 121 | 5 | 66 / 5 | 5 hunters, 1 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 121?
19.7% of GMU 121 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 100,396 of its 508,988 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 61,518 acres or 12.1% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 61,518 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 121 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 61,518 | 12.1% |
| National recreation area | 24,176 | 4.7% |
| BLM | 14,692 | 2.9% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 55 | under 0.1% |
| National forest | 6 | under 0.1% |
| WDFW land | 4 | under 0.1% |
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 121?
Highways through the unit: SR 25 (about 49 miles inside it), US 395 (about 14 miles inside it), SR 231 (about 13 miles inside it) and SR 20 (about 6 miles inside it). Towns inside: Chewelah, Springdale, Kettle Falls, Loon Lake, Valley and Addy. Nearby: Colville (on the line), Marcus (4 miles), Deer Park (11 miles) and Creston (18 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 121?
GMU 121 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 101 | Sherman | 72.8% | 10 | 305 |
| GMU 105 | Kelly Hill | 47.5% | 18 | 238 |
| GMU 108 | Douglas | 24.3% | 15 | 220 |
| GMU 117 | 49 Degrees North | 34.6% | 68 | 1,082 |
| GMU 124 | Mount Spokane | 4.6% | 80 | 715 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 121 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 121 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, any elk); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (any bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (any bull).
How many elk are taken in GMU 121?
WDFW reports 121 elk taken in GMU 121 in 2025: 106 antlered and 15 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 129, in 2023.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 121?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 5 elk permit hunts for GMU 121: 2205 Huckleberry (20 permits), 2206 Fruitland (20 permits), 2267 Huckleberry (20 permits), 2404 Huckleberry (15 permits) and 2601 Huckleberry (5 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 121?
19.7% of GMU 121, 100,396 of its 508,988 acres, is national forest, BLM, DNR trust, WDFW, Reclamation or national recreation area land; the largest share is DNR state trust land. Measured by FilledTag from WA DNR's public land maps.
What town is closest to GMU 121?
Chewelah, Springdale and Kettle Falls are inside the unit. Just outside: Colville (on the line), Marcus (4 miles) and Deer Park (11 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 121
Beginning at the US Hwy (US) 395 bridge over Lake Roosevelt (Columbia River) NW of the town of Kettle Falls; SE on US 395 through Colville and Chewelah to State Route (SR) 292 at Loon Lake; W on SR 292 to SR 231 at the town of Springdale; S on SR 231 to the first tributary of Chamokane Creek intersecting SR 231 south of the northeast corner of the Spokane Indian reservation; SW on the said tributary to Chamokane Creek, the northern boundary of the Spokane Indian reservation; W along the northern border of the Spokane Indian Reservation border to eastern boundary of the Colville Indian reservation on the Ferry-Stevens county line on Lake Roosevelt; N along the Colville Indian reservation boundary to its northern corner on Lake Roosevelt; W along Colville Indian reservation boundary to the western shore of Lake Roosevelt; N along western shore of Lake Roosevelt to the US 395 bridge over Lake Roosevelt northwest of the town of Kettle Falls 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 105 GMU 108 GMU 117 GMU 124