Issaquah GMU 454 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and public land
WDFW's harvest report shows 106 elk taken in GMU 454 Issaquah in 2025, 1 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 509 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 2,921 hunter days. GMU 454 is 4.6% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (27,974 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 landMilitary land (restricted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 454Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 4, North Puget Sound |
|---|---|
| Size | 620,624 acres (970 square miles) |
| Public land open to hunting | 4.6% (28,687 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 106 (153 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 509 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, any bull |
| Towns in and near it | Seattle, Kent, Everett, Enumclaw, Carnation and Duvall |
Also for GMU 454: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 454?
WDFW reports 106 elk taken in GMU 454 in 2025, against 153 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 161, in 2021. WDFW's figures average 138 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 109 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 | 106 | 105 | 1 | 75 | 31 | 509 | 2,921 | 21 |
| 2024 | 153 | 152 | 1 | 97 | 56 | 554 | 3,319 | 27 |
| 2023 | 114 | 114 | 72 | 42 | 640 | 4,233 | 18 | |
| 2022 | 158 | 154 | 4 | 104 | 54 | 608 | 3,675 | 25 |
| 2021 | 161 | 160 | 1 | 96 | 65 | 621 | 3,690 | 26 |
| 2020 | 105 | 105 | 71 | 34 | 586 | 3,947 | 18 | |
| 2019 | 142 | 142 | 104 | 38 | 611 | 3,696 | 23 | |
| 2018 | 136 | 136 | 0 | 88 | 48 | 622 | 3,700 | 22 |
| 2017 | 76 | 75 | 1 | 46 | 30 | 602 | 4,122 | 12 |
| 2016 | 84 | 84 | 60 | 24 | 630 | 4,064 | 13 | |
| 2015 | 69 | 69 | 47 | 22 | 782 | 4,873 | 9 | |
| 2014 | 72 | 71 | 1 | 39 | 33 | 754 | 4,851 | 9 |
| 2013 | 112 | 109 | 3 | 59 | 53 | 809 | 5,061 | 13 |
| 2012 | 67 | 67 | 38 | 29 | 777 | 5,069 | 9 | |
| 2011 | 71 | 71 | 46 | 25 | 871 | 5,580 | 8 | |
| 2010 | 57 | 57 | 30 | 27 | 704 | 4,793 | 8 | |
| 2009 | 73 | 72 | 1 | 50 | 23 | 868 | 5,910 | 8 |
| 2008 | 72 | 72 | 39 | 33 | ||||
| 2007 | 63 | 63 | not split out | 28 | 35 | 614 | 3,589 | 10 |
| 2006 | 58 | 58 | not split out | 27 | 31 | 597 | 3,701 | 10 |
| 2005 | 65 | 65 | not split out | 41 | 24 | 605 | 3,357 | 11 |
| 2004 | 57 | 57 | not split out | 30 | 27 | 611 | 3,413 | 9 |
| 2003 | 54 | 54 | not split out | 30 | 24 | 596 | 3,839 | 9 |
| 2002 | 67 | 67 | not split out | 36 | 31 | 676 | 4,400 | 10 |
| 2001 | 50 | 50 | not split out | 24 | 26 | 794 | 4,759 | 6 |
| 2000 | 81 | 81 | not split out | 41 | 40 | 969 | 5,398 | 8 |
| 1999 | 67 | 67 | not split out | 29 | 38 | 907 | 7,192 | 7 |
| 1998 | 79 | 79 | not split out | 33 | 46 | 919 | 5,125 | 9 |
| 1997 | 43 | 43 | not split out | 11 | 32 | 394 | 1,761 | 11 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 454, 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 454 in 2025?
The muzzleloader general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 454 in 2025: 219, who took 57 (26% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 171 | 1,048 | 22 | 12.8% | 48 |
| Modern firearm | 92 | 321 | 18 | 19.6% | 18 |
| Muzzleloader | 219 | 1,281 | 57 | 26% | 22 |
| Multiple-season tag | 27 | 271 | 8 | 29.6% | 34 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 454?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 1-point (spike): 30 of 75 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 30 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 14 | 31 |
| 2024 | 25 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 23 | 27 | 56 |
| 2023 | 14 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 23 | 42 |
| 2022 | 26 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 40 | 54 |
| 2021 | 23 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 25 | 29 | 65 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 454 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 454, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, any elk); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, any elk); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (any bull).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 454 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Nov. 7-18 | Any bull | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | Any elk | All hunters | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | Any elk | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Oct. 3-9 | Any elk | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Late muzzleloader season | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | Any elk | 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.
How much public land is in GMU 454?
4.6% of GMU 454 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 28,687 of its 620,624 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 27,974 acres or 4.5% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 27,974 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 454 |
|---|---|---|
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 39,062 | 6.3% |
| DNR state trust land | 27,974 | 4.5% |
| WDFW land | 602 | 0.1% |
| BLM | 83 | under 0.1% |
| Military land (restricted) | 48 | under 0.1% |
| National forest | 28 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 454, by WDFW's own boundaries: Snoqualmie Wildlife Area (455 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 454?
Highways through the unit: I-5 (about 106 miles inside it), SR 99 (about 71 miles inside it), I-405 (about 61 miles inside it), I-90 (about 52 miles inside it) and SR 18 (about 48 miles inside it). Towns inside: Seattle, Kent, Everett, Bellevue, Auburn and Renton. Nearby: Enumclaw (on the line), Carnation (on the line), Duvall (on the line) and Federal Way (on the line).
Which GMUs border GMU 454?
GMU 454 touches 7 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 407 | North Sound | 9.9% | 6 | 125 |
| GMU 422 | Vashon - Maury | 0.2% | 0 | |
| GMU 460 | Snoqualmie | 61.3% | 63 | 353 |
| GMU 485 | Green River | 53.8% | 4 | |
| GMU 490 | Cedar River | 0% | 0 | |
| GMU 652 | Puyallup | 1.1% | 222 | 889 |
| GMU 653 | White River | 52.7% | 70 | 142 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 454 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 454 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, any elk); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (any elk) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, any elk); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (any bull).
How many elk are taken in GMU 454?
WDFW reports 106 elk taken in GMU 454 in 2025: 75 antlered and 31 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 161, in 2021.
How much public land is in GMU 454?
4.6% of GMU 454, 28,687 of its 620,624 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 454?
Seattle, Kent and Everett are inside the unit. Just outside: Enumclaw (on the line), Carnation (on the line) and Duvall (on the line).
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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 4 GMU 407 GMU 460 GMU 485 GMU 652 GMU 653