Marengo GMU 163 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 6 elk taken in GMU 163 Marengo in 2025, 1 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 47 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 260 hunter days. GMU 163 is 4.8% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (2,958 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 landGMU 163Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 96,016 acres (150 square miles) |
| Counties | Columbia and Garfield |
| Public land open to hunting | 4.8% (4,647 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 6 (5 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 47 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, spike bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 6 hunts, 10 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Dayton, Pomeroy and Starbuck |
Also for GMU 163: deer hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 163?
WDFW reports 6 elk taken in GMU 163 in 2025, against 5 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 10, in 2012. WDFW's figures average 4 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 3 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 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 47 | 260 | 11 |
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 49 | 243 | 8 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 54 | 265 | 11 | |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 152 | 6 | |
| 2021 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 33 | 99 | 6 | |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 129 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 138 | 8 | |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 63 | 285 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 84 | 338 | 0 |
| 2016 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 148 | 643 | 3 |
| 2015 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 105 | 462 | 5 |
| 2014 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 50 | 239 | 2 |
| 2013 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 66 | 293 | 6 |
| 2012 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 78 | 377 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 98 | 484 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 74 | 392 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 67 | 315 | 0 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | |||
| 2007 | 6 | 6 | not split out | 6 | 0 | 105 | 548 | 6 |
| 2006 | 1 | 1 | not split out | 0 | 1 | 186 | 932 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 | not split out | 1 | 0 | 139 | 615 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 205 | 895 | 1 |
| 2003 | 5 | 5 | not split out | 5 | 0 | 187 | 766 | 3 |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 103 | 450 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 1 | not split out | 1 | 0 | 69 | 283 | 1 |
| 2000 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 57 | 188 | 5 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 40 | 155 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 31 | 114 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 72 | 207 | 0 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 163, 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 163 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 163 in 2025: 23, who took 5 (21.8% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 20 | 59 | 0 | 0% | |
| Modern firearm | 23 | 194 | 5 | 21.8% | 39 |
| Muzzleloader | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0% | |
| Multiple-season tag | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 163?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 1-point (spike): 5 of 5 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 163 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 163, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull or antlerless) and Dec. 9, 2026 Jan. 20, 2027 (late season, antlerless only); 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 163 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Spike bull | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | Spike bull or antlerless | All hunters | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Dec. 9, 2026 Jan. 20, 2027 | Antlerless only | All hunters | |
| 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 163?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 6 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 163, with 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Dayton Quality Elk | EF | Oct. 20-Nov. 8 | Any Bull | GMUs 162, 163 | 1 | 421 / 12 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2048 | Dayton Quality Elk | EA | Sept. 7-24 | Any Bull | GMUs 162, 163 | 1 | 96 / 18 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
| 2071 | Dayton Quality Elk | EM | Sept. 28-Oct. 9 | Any Bull | GMUs 162, 163 | 1 | 101 / 12 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2212 | Marengo Antlerless Elk | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMU 163 | 5 | 80 / 8 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
| 2503 | Marengo Hunters 65 or older | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMU 163 | 1 | 27 / 10 | 0 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2605 | Marengo Hunters with disabilities | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMU 163 | 1 | 3 / 5 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 47, 48, 51, 56 and 57; 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 163?
4.8% of GMU 163 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 4,647 of its 96,016 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 2,958 acres or 3.1% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 2,958 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 163 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 2,958 | 3.1% |
| WDFW land | 1,648 | 1.7% |
| BLM | 41 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 163, by WDFW's own boundaries: W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area (1,648 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 163?
Highways through the unit: US 12 (about 18 miles inside it). Nearby: Dayton (on the line), Pomeroy (4 miles), Starbuck (7 miles) and Waitsburg (9 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 163?
GMU 163 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 145 | Mayview | 3.4% | 0 | 4 |
| GMU 149 | Prescott | 2.5% | 17 | 104 |
| GMU 162 | Dayton | 25% | 18 | 377 |
| GMU 166 | Tucannon | 96.3% | 13 | 232 |
| GMU 178 | Peola | 4.8% | 12 | 74 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 163 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 163 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull or antlerless) and Dec. 9, 2026 Jan. 20, 2027 (late season, antlerless only); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (spike bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (spike bull).
How many elk are taken in GMU 163?
WDFW reports 6 elk taken in GMU 163 in 2025: 5 antlered and 1 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 10, in 2012.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 163?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 6 elk permit hunts for GMU 163: 2005 Dayton (1 permit), 2048 Dayton (1 permit), 2071 Dayton (1 permit), 2212 Marengo (5 permits), 2503 Marengo (1 permit) and 2605 Marengo (1 permit). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 163?
4.8% of GMU 163, 4,647 of its 96,016 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 163?
No town or Census-listed community is inside it. The nearest towns are Dayton (on the line), Pomeroy (4 miles) and Starbuck (7 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 163
Beginning at the junction of US Hwy (US) 12 and Patit Rd in the town of Dayton; N and E on US 12 to the Tatman Mountain Rd at Zumwalt; SE on Tatman Mountain Rd to Linville Gulch Rd; S on the Linville Gulch Rd to the Blind Grade Rd; SW on the Blind Grade Rd to the Tucannon Rd; N on the Tucannon Rd to the Hartsock Grade Rd; S on the Hartsock Grade Rd to the Patit Rd; W on the Patit Rd to US 12 in the town of Dayton 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 149 GMU 162 GMU 166 GMU 178