Nile GMU 352 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 68 elk taken in GMU 352 Nile in 2025, 22 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 790 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 4,177 hunter days. GMU 352 is 94.9% public land open to hunting, the largest share national forest (63,306 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 forestDNR state trust landWDFW landGMU 352Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 3, South Central Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 71,807 acres (112 square miles) |
| Counties | Yakima |
| Public land open to hunting | 94.9% (68,178 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 68 (43 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 790 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, spike bull |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 15 hunts, 324 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Nile, Tieton, Naches and South Cle Elum |
Also for GMU 352: deer hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 352?
WDFW reports 68 elk taken in GMU 352 in 2025, against 43 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 150, in 2001. WDFW's figures average 38 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 83 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 | 68 | 46 | 22 | 48 | 20 | 790 | 4,177 | 6 |
| 2024 | 43 | 30 | 13 | 32 | 11 | 813 | 4,454 | 4 |
| 2023 | 34 | 20 | 14 | 22 | 12 | 733 | 4,173 | 3 |
| 2022 | 34 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 731 | 3,800 | 2 |
| 2021 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 158 | 647 | 4 |
| 2020 | 29 | 14 | 15 | 19 | 10 | 1,056 | 6,054 | 1 |
| 2019 | 67 | 60 | 7 | 24 | 43 | 1,350 | 7,502 | 4 |
| 2018 | 85 | 69 | 16 | 24 | 61 | 1,583 | 9,340 | 4 |
| 2017 | 105 | 80 | 25 | 35 | 70 | 1,770 | 10,604 | 5 |
| 2016 | 131 | 87 | 44 | 58 | 73 | 1,799 | 10,737 | 5 |
| 2015 | 128 | 97 | 31 | 42 | 86 | 1,706 | 9,773 | 6 |
| 2014 | 135 | 104 | 31 | 45 | 90 | 1,715 | 10,092 | 6 |
| 2013 | 124 | 94 | 30 | 53 | 71 | 1,684 | 9,745 | 6 |
| 2012 | 106 | 73 | 33 | 56 | 50 | 1,382 | 7,752 | 5 |
| 2011 | 91 | 73 | 18 | 44 | 47 | 1,469 | 7,911 | 5 |
| 2010 | 77 | 57 | 20 | 43 | 34 | 1,461 | 8,013 | 4 |
| 2009 | 126 | 84 | 42 | 72 | 54 | 1,790 | 10,796 | 5 |
| 2008 | 102 | 68 | 34 | 52 | 50 | |||
| 2007 | 73 | 73 | not split out | 23 | 50 | 1,933 | 11,667 | 4 |
| 2006 | 101 | 101 | not split out | 41 | 60 | 2,120 | 12,655 | 5 |
| 2005 | 91 | 91 | not split out | 39 | 52 | 2,227 | 13,041 | 4 |
| 2004 | 72 | 72 | not split out | 30 | 42 | 2,756 | 15,989 | 3 |
| 2003 | 126 | 126 | not split out | 37 | 89 | 2,608 | 15,253 | 5 |
| 2002 | 104 | 104 | not split out | 36 | 68 | 2,668 | 16,658 | 4 |
| 2001 | 150 | 150 | not split out | 62 | 88 | 2,666 | 15,477 | 6 |
| 2000 | 150 | 150 | not split out | 70 | 80 | 3,082 | 15,140 | 5 |
| 1999 | 105 | 105 | not split out | 37 | 68 | 3,219 | 22,193 | 3 |
| 1998 | 86 | 86 | not split out | 42 | 44 | 2,971 | 14,107 | 3 |
| 1997 | 108 | 108 | not split out | 73 | 35 | 2,360 | 10,755 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 352, 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 352 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 352 in 2025: 438, who took 29 (6.6% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 215 | 1,319 | 7 | 3.2% | 188 |
| Modern firearm | 438 | 2,154 | 29 | 6.6% | 74 |
| Muzzleloader | 125 | 658 | 10 | 8% | 66 |
| Multiple-season tag | 12 | 46 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 352?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 1-point (spike): 36 of 48 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 36 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 20 |
| 2024 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| 2023 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| 2022 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 352 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 352, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, spike Bull); 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 352 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Spike bull | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | Spike bull | All hunters | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Nov. 25-Dec. 8 | Spike Bull | 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 352?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 15 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 352, with 324 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Goose Prairie Quality Elk | EF | Sept. 25-29 | Any Bull | GMUs 352, 356 | 4 | 621 / 16 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2060 | Goose Prairie Quality Elk | EA | Sept. 1-18 | Any Bull | GMUs 352, 356 | 18 | 432 / 9 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
| 2084 | Goose Prairie Quality Elk | EM | Sept. 30-Oct. 6 | Any Bull | GMUs 352, 356 | 6 | 232 / 19 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
| 2225 | Nile Antlerless Elk | EF | Nov. 4-8 | Antlerless | GMU 352 | 15 | 867 / 10 | 8 hunters, 7 taken |
| 2254 | Nile Early Antlerless Elk | EA | Sept. 12-24 | Antlerless | GMU 352 | 40 | 283 / 4 | |
| 2255 | Nile Late Antlerless Elk | EA | Nov. 25-Dec. 6 | Antlerless | GMU 352 | 40 | 228 / 3 | |
| 2283 | Nile Antlerless Elk | EM | Oct. 3-9 | Antlerless | GMU 352 | 15 | 327 / 9 | 7 hunters, 2 taken |
| 2411 | Yakima Central Youth only | EF | Oct. 28-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMUs 352, 356, 360 | 10 | 346 / 4 | |
| 2413 | Yakima Early Youth only | EA | Sept. 12-24 | Antlerless | GMUs 336, 340, 352, 356, 364 | 70 | 51 / 1 | 18 hunters, 2 taken |
| 2416 | Yakima Central Youth only | EM | Sept. 26-Oct. 9 | Antlerless | GMUs 352, 356, 360 | 15 | 79 / 2 | 5 hunters, 2 taken |
| 2508 | Yakima Central Hunters 65 or older | EF | Oct. 28-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMUs 352, 356, 360 | 10 | 650 / 14 | |
| 2510 | Yakima Early Hunters 65 or older | EA | Sept. 12-24 | Antlerless | GMUs 336, 340, 352, 356, 364 | 20 | 161 / 7 | 11 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2513 | Yakima Central Hunters 65 or older | EM | Sept. 26-Oct. 9 | Antlerless | GMUs 352, 356, 360 | 10 | 234 / 8 | 4 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2612 | Yakima Central Hunters with disabilities | EF, EM, EA | Oct. 28-Nov. 8 | Antlerless | GMUs 352, 356, 360 | 10 | 211 / 8 | |
| 2808 | Goose Prairie Bull Elk | EF | Oct. 26-Nov. 8 | Any Bull | GMUs 352, 356 | 41 | 1,817 / 16 | 5 hunters, 5 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 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 352?
94.9% of GMU 352 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 68,178 of its 71,807 acres. The largest share is national forest, 63,306 acres or 88.2% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 4,859 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 352 |
|---|---|---|
| National forest | 63,306 | 88.2% |
| DNR state trust land | 4,859 | 6.8% |
| WDFW land | 13 | 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 352?
Highways through the unit: SR 410 (about 7 miles inside it). Towns inside: Nile. Nearby: Tieton (11 miles), Naches (12 miles), South Cle Elum (15 miles) and Cle Elum (16 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 352?
GMU 352 touches 4 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 342 | Umtanum | 69% | 131 | 1,271 |
| GMU 346 | Little Naches | 93.7% | 143 | 1,275 |
| GMU 356 | Bumping | 99.9% | 40 | 589 |
| GMU 360 | Bethel | 97% | 56 | 805 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 352 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 352 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (spike bull) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, spike Bull); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (spike bull); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (spike bull).
How many elk are taken in GMU 352?
WDFW reports 68 elk taken in GMU 352 in 2025: 48 antlered and 20 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 150, in 2001.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 352?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 15 elk permit hunts for GMU 352: 2022 Goose Prairie (4 permits), 2060 Goose Prairie (18 permits), 2084 Goose Prairie (6 permits), 2225 Nile (15 permits), 2254 Nile Early (40 permits) and 2255 Nile Late (40 permits), and more in the table above. Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 352?
94.9% of GMU 352, 68,178 of its 71,807 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 352?
Nile is inside the unit. Just outside: Tieton (11 miles), Naches (12 miles) and South Cle Elum (15 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 352
Beginning on the US Forest Service (USFS) Rd 1800 and State Route (SR) 410; E and SE on SR 410 to the lower Nile Rd; W and N on the Nile Rd to USFS Rd 1500 (Bethel Ridge Rd); W on USFS Rd 1500 to USFS Rd 1502 (McDaniel Lake Rd); W on the USFS Rd 1502 to Rattlesnake Creek; N down Rattlesnake Creek to the North Fork of Rattlesnake Creek; W up the North Fork of Rattlesnake Creek to USFS Trail 973 (Richmond Mine Trail); N on USFS Trail 973 to USFS Rd 1800 (Bumping Lake Rd); N on the USFS Rd 1800 to SR 410 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 3 GMU 342 GMU 346 GMU 356 GMU 360