Lincoln GMU 501 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 4 elk taken in GMU 501 Lincoln in 2025. General-season hunters numbered 270 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 1,402 hunter days. GMU 501 is 21.8% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (32,522 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.
DNR state trust landWDFW landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 501Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 5, Southwest Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 150,408 acres (235 square miles) |
| Public land open to hunting | 21.8% (32,754 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 4 (34 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 270 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 1 hunt (WDFW prints no permit number) |
| Towns in and near it | Grand Mound, Fords Prairie, Oakville, Centralia and Chehalis |
Also for GMU 501: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 501?
WDFW reports 4 elk taken in GMU 501 in 2025, against 34 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 99, in 2007. WDFW's figures average 20 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 34 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 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 270 | 1,402 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 34 | 33 | 1 | 23 | 11 | 311 | 1,423 | 11 |
| 2023 | 21 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 275 | 1,217 | 8 | |
| 2022 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 350 | 1,868 | 7 | |
| 2021 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 362 | 1,633 | 5 | |
| 2020 | 42 | 42 | 29 | 13 | 453 | 2,267 | 9 | |
| 2019 | 23 | 22 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 379 | 1,680 | 6 |
| 2018 | 30 | 30 | 18 | 12 | 372 | 1,823 | 8 | |
| 2017 | 32 | 30 | 2 | 18 | 14 | 336 | 1,753 | 9 |
| 2016 | 45 | 45 | 20 | 25 | 466 | 2,529 | 10 | |
| 2015 | 34 | 33 | 1 | 21 | 13 | 544 | 2,807 | 6 |
| 2014 | 38 | 36 | 2 | 21 | 17 | 584 | 3,038 | 6 |
| 2013 | 46 | 45 | 1 | 18 | 28 | 743 | 3,411 | 6 |
| 2012 | 50 | 48 | 2 | 26 | 24 | 805 | 3,852 | 6 |
| 2011 | 54 | 54 | 19 | 35 | 881 | 4,446 | 6 | |
| 2010 | 68 | 68 | 37 | 31 | 996 | 4,812 | 7 | |
| 2009 | 65 | 64 | 1 | 19 | 46 | 1,092 | 4,995 | 6 |
| 2008 | 60 | 60 | 28 | 32 | ||||
| 2007 | 99 | 99 | not split out | 52 | 47 | 1,183 | 5,952 | 8 |
| 2006 | 78 | 78 | not split out | 33 | 45 | 1,234 | 6,360 | 6 |
| 2005 | 73 | 73 | not split out | 26 | 47 | 1,254 | 5,981 | 6 |
| 2004 | 73 | 73 | not split out | 31 | 42 | 1,332 | 6,092 | 5 |
| 2003 | 80 | 80 | not split out | 30 | 50 | 1,225 | 6,296 | 7 |
| 2002 | 63 | 63 | not split out | 30 | 33 | 1,441 | 7,033 | 4 |
| 2001 | 61 | 61 | not split out | 27 | 34 | 1,276 | 6,116 | 5 |
| 2000 | 68 | 68 | not split out | 20 | 48 | 1,355 | 5,331 | 5 |
| 1999 | 92 | 92 | not split out | 12 | 80 | 1,135 | 5,864 | 8 |
| 1998 | 19 | 19 | not split out | 6 | 13 | 1,101 | 4,447 | 2 |
| 1997 | 54 | 54 | not split out | 21 | 33 | 1,235 | 4,190 | 4 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 501, 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 501 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 501 in 2025: 164, who took 2 (1.2% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 26 | 202 | 0 | 0% | |
| Modern firearm | 164 | 743 | 2 | 1.2% | 372 |
| Muzzleloader | 75 | 419 | 2 | 2.6% | 210 |
| Multiple-season tag | 5 | 38 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 501?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 4-point: 2 of 4 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 4 | 11 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 11 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 501 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 501, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (3 pt. min. or antlerless) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, 3 pt. min. or antlerless); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (3 pt. min. or antlerless).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 501 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Nov. 7-18 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Oct. 3-9 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Late muzzleloader season | Nov. 25-Dec. 8 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | 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 501?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 elk special permit hunt that takes in GMU 501, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2710 | Region 5 Northwest- Hoof Disease Master Hunters only | Any elk tag | Dec. 1-Feb. 28 | Antlerless | GMUs 501, 503, 504, 505, 506, 520, 524, (except Elk Area 5066), 530, 550 | 73 / 3 | 13 hunters, 9 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 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 501?
21.8% of GMU 501 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 32,754 of its 150,408 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 32,522 acres or 21.6% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 32,522 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 501 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 32,522 | 21.6% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 235 | 0.2% |
| WDFW land | 232 | 0.2% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 20 | 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 501?
Highways through the unit: US 12 (about 20 miles inside it), I-5 (about 12 miles inside it) and SR 6 (about 7 miles inside it). Towns inside: Grand Mound and Fords Prairie. Nearby: Oakville (on the line), Centralia (on the line), Chehalis (on the line) and Pe Ell (4 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 501?
GMU 501 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 505 | Mossyrock | 3.4% | 34 | 446 |
| GMU 530 | Ryderwood | 13.6% | 163 | 1,332 |
| GMU 660 | Minot Peak | 15.8% | 63 | 662 |
| GMU 663 | Capitol Peak | 68.5% | 8 | 174 |
| GMU 666 | Deschutes | 1.8% | 35 | 328 |
| GMU 667 | Skookumchuck | 13.8% | 109 | 1,021 |
| GMU 672 | Fall River | 26% | 67 | 896 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 501 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 501 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (3 pt. min. or antlerless) and Nov. 25-Dec. 8 (late season, 3 pt. min. or antlerless); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (3 pt. min. or antlerless).
How many elk are taken in GMU 501?
WDFW reports 4 elk taken in GMU 501 in 2025: 4 antlered and 0 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 99, in 2007.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 501?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 elk permit hunt for GMU 501: 2710 Region 5 Northwest- Hoof Disease ( permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 501?
21.8% of GMU 501, 32,754 of its 150,408 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 501?
Grand Mound and Fords Prairie are inside the unit. Just outside: Oakville (on the line), Centralia (on the line) and Chehalis (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 5 GMU 505 GMU 530 GMU 660 GMU 663 GMU 666 GMU 667 GMU 672