Grayback GMU 388 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 8 elk taken in GMU 388 Grayback in 2025. General-season hunters numbered 52 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 271 hunter days. GMU 388 is 11.2% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (20,188 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 388Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 5, Southwest Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 311,787 acres (487 square miles) |
| Counties | Klickitat |
| Public land open to hunting | 11.2% (35,010 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 8 (9 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 52 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Oct. 31-Nov. 8, any elk |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 2 hunts (WDFW prints no permit number) |
| Towns in and near it | Goldendale, Dallesport, Centerville, Bingen and White Salmon |
Also for GMU 388: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 388?
WDFW reports 8 elk taken in GMU 388 in 2025, against 9 in 2024. The most in one year since 2006 was 18, in 2008. WDFW's figures average 9 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 11 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 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 52 | 271 | 15 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 49 | 219 | 18 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 65 | 230 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 135 | 513 | 7 | |
| 2021 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 134 | 591 | 11 | |
| 2020 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 172 | 713 | 6 | |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 139 | 584 | 8 | |
| 2018 | 13 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 142 | 560 | 9 | |
| 2017 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 122 | 509 | 11 | |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 156 | 578 | 6 | |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 159 | 672 | 3 | |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 116 | 446 | 4 | |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 178 | 784 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 136 | 585 | 6 | |
| 2011 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 171 | 797 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 22 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 199 | 868 | 6 | |
| 2008 | 18 | 18 | 10 | 8 | ||||
| 2007 | 8 | 8 | not split out | 5 | 3 | 258 | 1,366 | 3 |
| 2006 | 12 | 12 | not split out | 11 | 1 | 273 | 1,253 | 4 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 388, 2006 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 388 in 2025?
The archery general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 388 in 2025: 25, who took 0 (0% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 25 | 161 | 0 | 0% | |
| Modern firearm | 24 | 99 | 6 | 25% | 17 |
| Multiple-season tag | 3 | 11 | 2 | 66.6% | 6 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 388?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 6-point or larger: 4 of 8 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 388 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 388, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, any elk); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (any elk).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 388 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Oct. 31-Nov. 8 | Any elk | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | Any elk | All hunters | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Nov. 25-Dec. 8 | Any elk | 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 388?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 2 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 388, with 0 permits in all (WDFW prints no number for some). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2429 | Region 5 East Youth only | EF, EM, EA | Aug. 1, 2026-Mar. 31, 2027 | Antlerless | Designated Areas in GMU 382, 388 | 23 / 3 | ||
| 2711 | Region 5 Southeast- Hoof Disease Master Hunters only | Any elk tag | Dec. 1-Feb. 28 | Antlerless | GMUs 382, 388, 554, 560, 564, 568, 572, 574, 578 | 46 / 3 | 7 hunters, 4 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 55 and 58; 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 388?
11.2% of GMU 388 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 35,010 of its 311,787 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 20,188 acres or 6.5% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 20,188 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 388 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 20,188 | 6.5% |
| WDFW land | 11,309 | 3.6% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 4,733 | 1.5% |
| National forest | 1,973 | 0.6% |
| BLM | 1,540 | 0.5% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 388, by WDFW's own boundaries: Klickitat Wildlife Area (12,950 acres here; units Fisher Hill, Swale Creek, Dillacort Canyon and Mineral Springs).
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 388?
Highways through the unit: SR 142 (about 32 miles inside it), US 97 (about 16 miles inside it) and US 197 (about 3 miles inside it). Towns inside: Goldendale, Dallesport, Centerville, Wishram and Lyle. Nearby: Bingen (9 miles) and White Salmon (10 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 388?
GMU 388 touches 2 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 382 | East Klickitat | 7.8% | 9 | 71 |
| GMU 578 | West Klickitat | 27.6% | 47 | 543 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 388 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 388 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, any elk); modern firearm: Oct. 31-Nov. 8 (any elk).
How many elk are taken in GMU 388?
WDFW reports 8 elk taken in GMU 388 in 2025: 8 antlered and 0 antlerless. The most in one year since 2006 was 18, in 2008.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 388?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 2 elk permit hunts for GMU 388: 2429 Region 5 East ( permits) and 2711 Region 5 Southeast- Hoof Disease ( permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 388?
11.2% of GMU 388, 35,010 of its 311,787 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 388?
Goldendale, Dallesport and Centerville are inside the unit. Just outside: Bingen (9 miles) and White Salmon (10 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 388
Beginning at the US Hwy (US) 97 bridge crossing the Columbia River; W down the Columbia River to the mouth of the Klickitat River at the town of Lyle (including all islands in the Columbia River which are both north of the Washington state line and between the US 97 bridge and the Klickitat River); N up the Klickitat River to the Yakama Indian Reservation; E along the southern boundary of the Yakama Indian Reservation to US 97 (Satus Pass Hwy); S on US 97 to US 97 bridge crossing the Columbia 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 5 GMU 382 GMU 578