Prescott GMU 149 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 17 elk taken in GMU 149 Prescott in 2025, 7 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 104 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 445 hunter days. GMU 149 is 2.5% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (22,453 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.
BLMDNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)National park or historic site (no hunting)Military land (restricted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 149Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 909,390 acres (1,421 square miles) |
| Counties | Walla Walla, Columbia and Garfield |
| Public land open to hunting | 2.5% (22,798 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 17 (17 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 104 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, spike bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 6 hunts, 36 permits |
| Towns in and near it | College Place, Prescott, Starbuck, Waitsburg, Dayton and Walla Walla |
Also for GMU 149: deer hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 149?
WDFW reports 17 elk taken in GMU 149 in 2025, against 17 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 24, in 2008. WDFW's figures average 18 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 12 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 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 104 | 445 | 10 |
| 2024 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 15 | 2 | 110 | 362 | 12 |
| 2023 | 16 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 78 | 275 | 17 |
| 2022 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 6 | 101 | 386 | 13 |
| 2021 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 65 | 209 | 15 |
| 2020 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 83 | 295 | 13 |
| 2019 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 59 | 157 | 7 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 75 | 269 | 3 |
| 2017 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 69 | 251 | 10 |
| 2016 | 15 | 2 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 80 | 344 | 3 |
| 2015 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 11 | 3 | 61 | 220 | 2 |
| 2014 | 20 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 3 | 73 | 252 | 11 |
| 2013 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 12 | 6 | 74 | 205 | 7 |
| 2012 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 62 | 234 | 5 |
| 2011 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 71 | 240 | 6 |
| 2010 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 17 | 2 | 78 | 314 | 8 |
| 2009 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 5 | 70 | 243 | 14 |
| 2008 | 24 | 3 | 21 | 6 | 18 | |||
| 2007 | 9 | 9 | not split out | 9 | 0 | 165 | 615 | 5 |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 142 | 454 | 0 |
| 2005 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 126 | 401 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 121 | 447 | 2 |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 131 | 522 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 87 | 279 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 65 | 249 | 0 |
| 2000 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 87 | 286 | 3 |
| 1999 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 122 | 418 | 2 |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 92 | 252 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 19 | 85 | 0 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 149, 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 149 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 149 in 2025: 80, who took 8 (10% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 10 | 43 | 0 | 0% | |
| Modern firearm | 80 | 329 | 8 | 10% | 41 |
| Muzzleloader | 6 | 32 | 0 | 0% | |
| Multiple-season tag | 8 | 41 | 2 | 25% | 21 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 149?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 1-point (spike): 8 of 12 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 2024 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 |
| 2021 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 149 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 149, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (spike bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (spike bull).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 149 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Spike bull | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 44) |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | Spike bull or antlerless | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 45) |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Oct. 3-9 | Spike 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 149?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 6 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 149, with 36 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Prescott Quality Elk | EF | Oct. 26-Nov. 8 | Any Bull | GMU 149 | 8 | 182 / 16 | 2 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2046 | Prescott Quality Elk | EA | Sept. 7-24 | Any Bull | GMU 149 | 1 | 26 / 3 | 0 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2069 | Prescott Quality Elk | EM | Sept. 28-Oct. 9 | Any Bull | GMU 149 | 1 | 34 / 17 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2210 | Prescott Antlerless Elk | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMU 149 | 20 | 276 / 8 | 12 hunters, 3 taken |
| 2501 | Prescott Hunters 65 or older | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMU 149 | 3 | 71 / 10 | 2 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2603 | Prescott Hunters with disabilities | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMU 149 | 3 | 18 / 4 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 47, 48, 51 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 149?
2.5% of GMU 149 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 22,798 of its 909,390 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 22,453 acres or 2.5% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 22,453 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 149 |
|---|---|---|
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 23,876 | 2.6% |
| DNR state trust land | 22,453 | 2.5% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 14,264 | 1.6% |
| Military land (restricted) | 592 | 0.1% |
| WDFW land | 209 | under 0.1% |
| BLM | 136 | under 0.1% |
| National park or historic site (no hunting) | 135 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 149, by WDFW's own boundaries: W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area (208 acres here; units Swegle Road and McDonald Bridge).
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 149?
Highways through the unit: US 12 (about 90 miles inside it), SR 124 (about 45 miles inside it), SR 125 (about 22 miles inside it), SR 261 (about 15 miles inside it) and US 730 (about 6 miles inside it). Towns inside: College Place, Prescott, Starbuck, Burbank, Garrett and Touchet. Nearby: Waitsburg (on the line), Dayton (on the line), Walla Walla (on the line) and Kahlotus (5 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 149?
GMU 149 touches 7 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 142 | Almota | 3.6% | 26 | 147 |
| GMU 145 | Mayview | 3.4% | 0 | 4 |
| GMU 154 | Blue Creek | 1.6% | 35 | 203 |
| GMU 162 | Dayton | 25% | 18 | 377 |
| GMU 163 | Marengo | 4.8% | 6 | 47 |
| GMU 373 | Horse Heaven | 8.3% | 0 | 25 |
| GMU 381 | Kahlotus | 10% | 27 | 86 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 149 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 149 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (spike bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (spike bull).
How many elk are taken in GMU 149?
WDFW reports 17 elk taken in GMU 149 in 2025: 12 antlered and 5 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 24, in 2008.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 149?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 6 elk permit hunts for GMU 149: 2001 Prescott (8 permits), 2046 Prescott (1 permit), 2069 Prescott (1 permit), 2210 Prescott (20 permits), 2501 Prescott (3 permits) and 2603 Prescott (3 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 149?
2.5% of GMU 149, 22,798 of its 909,390 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 149?
College Place, Prescott and Starbuck are inside the unit. Just outside: Waitsburg (on the line), Dayton (on the line) and Walla Walla (on the line).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 149
Beginning on the Columbia River at the mouth of the Snake River (Benton-Franklin-Walla Walla county line); NE and E along the Snake River (Franklin-Walla Walla, Whitman-Columbia, and Whitman-Garfield county line) to State Route (SR) 127 bridge at Central Ferry; S on SR 127 (Central Ferry Hwy) to US Hwy (US) 12 at Dodge Junction; SW on US 12, through the towns of Dayton and Waitsburg, to SR 125 at the town of Walla Walla; S on SR 125 to the Washington-Oregon state line; W on the Washington-Oregon state line to the Columbia River (Benton-Walla Walla county line); N along the Columbia River (Benton-Walla Walla county line) to the mouth of the Snake River 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 142 GMU 154 GMU 162 GMU 163 GMU 381