Peola GMU 178 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 12 elk taken in GMU 178 Peola in 2025, 7 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 74 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 303 hunter days. GMU 178 is 4.8% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (5,346 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 landOther public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 178Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 1, Eastern Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 177,000 acres (277 square miles) |
| Counties | Garfield and Asotin |
| Public land open to hunting | 4.8% (8,419 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 12 (17 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 74 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, spike bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 9 hunts, 25 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Clarkston, Pomeroy, Clarkston Heights-Vineland, Asotin, Uniontown and Colton |
Also for GMU 178: deer hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 178?
WDFW reports 12 elk taken in GMU 178 in 2025, against 17 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 24, in 2008. WDFW's figures average 11 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 4 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 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 74 | 303 | 7 |
| 2024 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 4 | 111 | 447 | 10 |
| 2023 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 76 | 329 | 7 |
| 2022 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 106 | 442 | 3 |
| 2021 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 83 | 384 | 6 |
| 2020 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 100 | 440 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 108 | 391 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 116 | 471 | 0 |
| 2017 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 138 | 604 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 161 | 643 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 165 | 734 | 4 |
| 2014 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 172 | 757 | 2 |
| 2013 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 158 | 660 | 5 |
| 2012 | 13 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 160 | 700 | 2 |
| 2011 | 23 | 6 | 17 | 2 | 21 | 216 | 999 | 3 |
| 2010 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 171 | 753 | 4 |
| 2009 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 215 | 970 | 1 |
| 2008 | 24 | 8 | 16 | 6 | 18 | |||
| 2007 | 4 | 4 | not split out | 3 | 1 | 242 | 988 | 2 |
| 2006 | 4 | 4 | not split out | 2 | 2 | 233 | 921 | 2 |
| 2005 | 8 | 8 | not split out | 8 | 0 | 226 | 846 | 4 |
| 2004 | 11 | 11 | not split out | 11 | 0 | 181 | 785 | 6 |
| 2003 | 5 | 5 | not split out | 5 | 0 | 143 | 686 | 3 |
| 2002 | 6 | 6 | not split out | 6 | 0 | 179 | 785 | 3 |
| 2001 | 5 | 5 | not split out | 3 | 2 | 161 | 724 | 3 |
| 2000 | 5 | 5 | not split out | 5 | 0 | 204 | 648 | 2 |
| 1999 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 158 | 807 | 2 |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | not split out | 0 | 0 | 364 | 1,228 | 0 |
| 1997 | 20 | 20 | not split out | 12 | 8 | 403 | 1,671 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 178, 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 178 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 178 in 2025: 60, who took 3 (5% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 6 | 28 | 0 | 0% | |
| Modern firearm | 60 | 245 | 3 | 5% | 82 |
| Muzzleloader | 6 | 22 | 2 | 33.4% | 11 |
| Multiple-season tag | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 178?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 2-point: 3 of 8 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 178 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 178, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull or antlerless) and Nov. 20-Dec. 8 (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 178 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Nov. 20-Dec. 8 | 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 178?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 9 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 178, with 25 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Peola Quality Elk | EF | Sept. 21-25 | Any Bull | GMUs 145, 178 | 1 | 67 / 22 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2012 | Peola Quality Elk | EF | Oct. 26-Nov. 8 | Any Bull | GMUs 145, 178 | 1 | 58 / 12 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2054 | Peola Quality Elk | EA | Sept. 7-24 | Any Bull | GMUs 145, 178 | 1 | 13 / 5 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
| 2077 | Peola Quality Elk | EM | Sept. 28-Oct. 9 | Any Bull | GMUs 145, 178 | 1 | 24 / 18 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2209 | Mayview-Peola Antlerless Elk | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMUs 145, 178 | 10 | 129 / 5 | 4 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2274 | Mayview-Peola Antlerless Elk | EM | Oct. 3-9 | Antlerless | GMUs 145, 178 | 5 | 22 / 3 | 4 hunters, 3 taken |
| 2405 | Mayview-Peola Youth only | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMUs 145, 178 | 3 | 30 / 4 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2504 | Peola-Mayview Hunters 65 or older | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMU 145, 178 | 2 | 46 / 12 | 0 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2606 | Peola-Mayview Hunters with disabilities | EF | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMUs 145, 178 | 1 | 12 / 10 | 0 hunters, 0 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 47, 48, 49, 51, 53, 55, 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 178?
4.8% of GMU 178 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 8,419 of its 177,000 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 5,346 acres or 3% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 5,346 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 178 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 5,346 | 3% |
| WDFW land | 2,635 | 1.5% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 2,191 | 1.2% |
| BLM | 412 | 0.2% |
| National forest | 26 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 178, by WDFW's own boundaries: Asotin Creek Wildlife Area (2,433 acres here; units Asotin Creek and Weatherly) and W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area (1,118 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 178?
Highways through the unit: US 12 (about 19 miles inside it) and SR 129 (about 6 miles inside it). Towns inside: Clarkston, Pomeroy, Clarkston Heights-Vineland, West Clarkston-Highland and Pataha. Nearby: Asotin (on the line), Uniontown (8 miles), Colton (10 miles) and Dayton (14 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 178?
GMU 178 touches 6 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 163 | Marengo | 4.8% | 6 | 47 |
| GMU 166 | Tucannon | 96.3% | 13 | 232 |
| GMU 175 | Lick Creek | 94.7% | 37 | 377 |
| GMU 181 | Couse | 13.3% | 23 | 112 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 178 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 178 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull or antlerless) and Nov. 20-Dec. 8 (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 178?
WDFW reports 12 elk taken in GMU 178 in 2025: 8 antlered and 4 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 24, in 2008.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 178?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 9 elk permit hunts for GMU 178: 2011 Peola (1 permit), 2012 Peola (1 permit), 2054 Peola (1 permit), 2077 Peola (1 permit), 2209 Mayview-Peola (10 permits) and 2274 Mayview-Peola (5 permits), and more in the table above. Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 178?
4.8% of GMU 178, 8,419 of its 177,000 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 178?
Clarkston, Pomeroy and Clarkston Heights-Vineland are inside the unit. Just outside: Asotin (on the line), Uniontown (8 miles) and Colton (10 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 178
Beginning at the intersection of US Hwy (US) 12 and Tatman Mountain Rd at Zumwalt; E on US 12 to bridge near the mouth of Alpowa Creek; N down Alpowa Creek to the Snake River; E and S along the Snake River (Asotin-Whitman county line, Washington-Idaho state line) to the mouth of Asotin Creek; W along Asotin Creek to Charley Creek; W along Charley Creek to the eastern border section line of Section 2, T9N, R43E; N on eastern border section line of Section 2, T9N, R43E until it meets the elk drift fence; W along the elk drift fence to the boundary of the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area; NW and W along the elk drift fence to the Tucannon Rd; N on the Tucannon Rd to Blind Grade Rd; NE up Blind Grade Rd to the Linville Gulch Rd; N on the Linville Gulch Rd to Tatman Mountain Rd; NW up Tatman Mountain Rd to US 12 at Zumwalt and the point of beginning.
From WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, Game Management Unit Descriptions.
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 142 GMU 163 GMU 166 GMU 175 GMU 181