Wenaha GMU 169 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 7 elk taken in GMU 169 Wenaha in 2025, 5 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 113 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 543 hunter days. GMU 169 is 100% public land open to hunting, the largest share national forest (103,197 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 forestGMU 169Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 103,211 acres (161 square miles) |
| Counties | Columbia, Garfield and Asotin |
| Public land open to hunting | 100% (103,197 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 7 (19 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 113 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, spike bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 6 hunts, 17 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Dayton and Waitsburg |
Also for GMU 169: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 169?
WDFW reports 7 elk taken in GMU 169 in 2025, against 19 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 38, in 2012. WDFW's figures average 11 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 19 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 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 113 | 543 | 2 |
| 2024 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 0 | 144 | 594 | 5 |
| 2023 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 115 | 524 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 116 | 509 | 3 |
| 2021 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 0 | 163 | 635 | 4 |
| 2020 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 0 | 190 | 878 | 4 |
| 2019 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 0 | 175 | 888 | 4 |
| 2018 | 19 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 0 | 166 | 775 | 1 |
| 2017 | 21 | 3 | 18 | 21 | 0 | 212 | 992 | 1 |
| 2016 | 20 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 0 | 216 | 979 | 2 |
| 2015 | 28 | 12 | 16 | 28 | 0 | 199 | 832 | 6 |
| 2014 | 29 | 17 | 12 | 29 | 0 | 257 | 1,201 | 7 |
| 2013 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 0 | 278 | 1,291 | 3 |
| 2012 | 38 | 8 | 30 | 38 | 0 | 225 | 926 | 4 |
| 2011 | 29 | 7 | 22 | 29 | 0 | 282 | 1,220 | 2 |
| 2010 | 22 | 9 | 13 | 22 | 0 | 267 | 1,178 | 3 |
| 2009 | 32 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 0 | 296 | 1,388 | 4 |
| 2008 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 0 | |||
| 2007 | 9 | 9 | not split out | 9 | 0 | 359 | 1,618 | 3 |
| 2006 | 18 | 18 | not split out | 18 | 0 | 280 | 1,141 | 6 |
| 2005 | 9 | 9 | not split out | 9 | 0 | 253 | 1,099 | 4 |
| 2004 | 13 | 13 | not split out | 13 | 0 | 309 | 1,445 | 4 |
| 2003 | 13 | 13 | not split out | 13 | 0 | 289 | 1,426 | 4 |
| 2002 | 7 | 7 | not split out | 7 | 0 | 297 | 1,343 | 2 |
| 2001 | 15 | 15 | not split out | 15 | 0 | 323 | 1,487 | 5 |
| 2000 | 13 | 13 | not split out | 13 | 0 | 577 | 2,587 | 2 |
| 1999 | 15 | 15 | not split out | 15 | 0 | 862 | 4,374 | 2 |
| 1998 | 6 | 6 | not split out | 6 | 0 | 576 | 2,281 | 1 |
| 1997 | 23 | 23 | not split out | 23 | 0 | 935 | 4,162 | 2 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 169, 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 169 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 169 in 2025: 96, who took 2 (2% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 15 | 90 | 0 | 0% | |
| Modern firearm | 96 | 448 | 2 | 2% | 224 |
| Multiple-season tag | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 169?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 6-point or larger: 4 of 7 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 169 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 169, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (spike bull).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 169 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Spike bull | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | Spike bull | All hunters |
Source: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 44 and 45, 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 169?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 6 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 169, with 17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Wenaha West Quality Elk | EF | Oct. 26-Nov. 8 | Any Bull | Elk Area 1008 | 5 | 485 / 16 | 5 hunters, 2 taken |
| 2008 | Wenaha East Quality Elk | EF | Oct. 26-Nov. 8 | Any Bull | Elk Area 1009 | 5 | 425 / 14 | 2 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2050 | Wenaha West Quality Elk | EA | Sept. 7-24 | Any Bull | Elk Area 1008 | 2 | 122 / 11 | 2 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2051 | Wenaha East Quality Elk | EA | Sept. 7-24 | Any Bull | Elk Area 1009 | 2 | 115 / 25 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2073 | Wenaha West Quality Elk | EM | Sept. 28-Oct. 9 | Any Bull | Elk Area 1008 | 1 | 90 / 16 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2074 | Wenaha East Quality Elk | EM | Sept. 28-Oct. 9 | Any Bull | Elk Area 1009 | 2 | 67 / 7 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 47 and 48; 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 169?
100% of GMU 169 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 103,197 of its 103,211 acres. The largest share is national forest, 103,197 acres or 100% of the unit.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 169 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 103,197 | 100% |
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 169?
No numbered highway crosses the unit. Nearby: Dayton (17 miles) and Waitsburg (18 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 169?
GMU 169 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 157 | Mill Creek Watershed | 92.5% | 2 | |
| GMU 162 | Dayton | 25% | 18 | 377 |
| GMU 166 | Tucannon | 96.3% | 13 | 232 |
| GMU 172 | Mountain View | 48.6% | 41 | 279 |
| GMU 175 | Lick Creek | 94.7% | 37 | 377 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 169 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 169 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (spike bull).
How many elk are taken in GMU 169?
WDFW reports 7 elk taken in GMU 169 in 2025: 7 antlered and 0 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 38, in 2012.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 169?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 6 elk permit hunts for GMU 169: 2007 Wenaha West (5 permits), 2008 Wenaha East (5 permits), 2050 Wenaha West (2 permits), 2051 Wenaha East (2 permits), 2073 Wenaha West (1 permit) and 2074 Wenaha East (2 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 169?
100% of GMU 169, 103,197 of its 103,211 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 169?
No town or Census-listed community is inside it. The nearest towns are Dayton (17 miles) and Waitsburg (18 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 169
Beginning on the Washington-Oregon state line at the US Forest Service (USFS) Rd 64; N on USFS Rd 64 to USFS Rd 46 (Skyline Dr); E on USFS Rd 46 to USFS Rd 4608 (Teepee Rd) at Godman Springs; E on USFS Rd 4608 to USFS Trail 3136 (Teepee Trail) at Teepee Camp; E on the USFS Trail 3136 to USFS Trail 3113 (Oregon Butte Trail-Bullfrog Springs Trail-Diamond Peak Trail); E on USFS Trail 3113 to USFS Rd 4030 (Diamond Peak Rd) at Diamond Peak; E on USFS Rd 4030 to USFS Rd 40 (Mountain Rd); S along USFS Rd 40 to USFS Rd 4039 (South Boundary Rd); SW along USFS Rd 4039 to USFS Trail 3133 (Three Forks Trail); NW on USFS Trail 3133 to USFS Trail 3100; S on USFS Trail 3100 to the Washington-Oregon state line; due W on the Washington-Oregon state line to USFS Rd 64 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 157 GMU 162 GMU 166 GMU 172 GMU 175