Mossyrock GMU 505 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 34 elk taken in GMU 505 Mossyrock in 2025. General-season hunters numbered 446 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 2,140 hunter days. GMU 505 is 3.4% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (6,282 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 landOther public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 505Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 5, Southwest Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 189,663 acres (296 square miles) |
| Public land open to hunting | 3.4% (6,494 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 34 (33 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 446 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 2 hunts, 20 permits where WDFW prints a number |
| Towns in and near it | Chehalis, Morton, Mossyrock, Napavine, Centralia and Winlock |
Also for GMU 505: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 505?
WDFW reports 34 elk taken in GMU 505 in 2025, against 33 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 143, in 2010. WDFW's figures average 39 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 51 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 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 26 | 8 | 446 | 2,140 | 8 |
| 2024 | 33 | 33 | 20 | 13 | 437 | 2,525 | 8 | |
| 2023 | 38 | 37 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 402 | 2,181 | 9 |
| 2022 | 45 | 43 | 2 | 26 | 19 | 531 | 2,518 | 8 |
| 2021 | 44 | 41 | 3 | 26 | 18 | 479 | 2,778 | 9 |
| 2020 | 48 | 43 | 5 | 27 | 21 | 607 | 2,956 | 7 |
| 2019 | 47 | 47 | 0 | 21 | 26 | 543 | 2,729 | 9 |
| 2018 | 43 | 37 | 6 | 30 | 13 | 649 | 3,580 | 6 |
| 2017 | 37 | 32 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 674 | 3,835 | 5 |
| 2016 | 81 | 75 | 6 | 64 | 17 | 720 | 3,719 | 10 |
| 2015 | 57 | 50 | 7 | 27 | 30 | 765 | 3,938 | 7 |
| 2014 | 59 | 49 | 10 | 33 | 26 | 746 | 3,902 | 7 |
| 2013 | 89 | 75 | 14 | 45 | 44 | 955 | 4,911 | 8 |
| 2012 | 98 | 80 | 18 | 46 | 52 | 997 | 5,206 | 8 |
| 2011 | 78 | 64 | 14 | 45 | 33 | 1,085 | 5,681 | 6 |
| 2010 | 143 | 123 | 20 | 45 | 98 | 1,279 | 6,469 | 10 |
| 2009 | 133 | 105 | 28 | 64 | 69 | 1,382 | 7,621 | 8 |
| 2008 | 104 | 71 | 33 | 44 | 60 | |||
| 2007 | 89 | 89 | not split out | 41 | 48 | 1,251 | 6,438 | 7 |
| 2006 | 110 | 110 | not split out | 39 | 71 | 1,146 | 5,780 | 10 |
| 2005 | 128 | 128 | not split out | 47 | 81 | 1,144 | 5,714 | 11 |
| 2004 | 74 | 74 | not split out | 37 | 37 | 1,166 | 5,929 | 6 |
| 2003 | 82 | 82 | not split out | 34 | 48 | 1,014 | 5,423 | 8 |
| 2002 | 106 | 106 | not split out | 48 | 58 | 1,485 | 8,581 | 7 |
| 2001 | 129 | 129 | not split out | 56 | 73 | 1,577 | 8,594 | 8 |
| 2000 | 132 | 132 | not split out | 42 | 90 | 2,050 | 9,000 | 6 |
| 1999 | 129 | 129 | not split out | 45 | 84 | 1,737 | 11,339 | 7 |
| 1998 | 77 | 77 | not split out | 25 | 52 | 1,409 | 6,384 | 5 |
| 1997 | 55 | 55 | not split out | 8 | 47 | 1,065 | 4,264 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 505, 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 505 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 505 in 2025: 193, who took 4 (2% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 120 | 655 | 14 | 11.6% | 47 |
| Modern firearm | 193 | 841 | 4 | 2% | 210 |
| Muzzleloader | 127 | 622 | 13 | 10.2% | 48 |
| Multiple-season tag | 6 | 22 | 3 | 50% | 7 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 505?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 5-point: 18 of 26 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 8 | 8 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 13 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 21 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 19 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 18 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 505 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 505, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, 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.).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 505 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Nov. 7-18 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless | All hunters | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | 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 505?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 2 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 505, with 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2231 | Mossyrock Antlerless Elk | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMU 505 | 20 | 355 / 9 | |
| 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, pages 52 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 505?
3.4% of GMU 505 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 6,494 of its 189,663 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 6,282 acres or 3.3% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 6,282 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 505 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 6,282 | 3.3% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 1,277 | 0.7% |
| WDFW land | 211 | 0.1% |
| National forest | 1 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 505, by WDFW's own boundaries: Cowlitz Wildlife Area (11,132 acres here; units Kosmos, Riffe Buffer, Peterman Ridge and Davis Lake).
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 505?
Highways through the unit: US 12 (about 52 miles inside it), SR 508 (about 29 miles inside it), I-5 (about 24 miles inside it), SR 122 (about 8 miles inside it) and SR 505 (about 4 miles inside it). Towns inside: Chehalis, Morton, Mossyrock, Toledo and Onalaska. Nearby: Napavine (on the line), Centralia (on the line), Winlock (2 miles) and Vader (3 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 505?
GMU 505 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 501 | Lincoln | 21.8% | 4 | 270 |
| GMU 503 | Randle | 11.1% | 20 | 399 |
| GMU 510 | Stormking | 32.6% | 12 | 279 |
| GMU 516 | Packwood | 92.9% | 59 | 835 |
| GMU 520 | Winston | 13.8% | 65 | 1,021 |
| GMU 530 | Ryderwood | 13.6% | 163 | 1,332 |
| GMU 667 | Skookumchuck | 13.8% | 109 | 1,021 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 505 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 505 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, 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.).
How many elk are taken in GMU 505?
WDFW reports 34 elk taken in GMU 505 in 2025: 26 antlered and 8 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 143, in 2010.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 505?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 2 elk permit hunts for GMU 505: 2231 Mossyrock (20 permits) and 2710 Region 5 Northwest- Hoof Disease ( permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 505?
3.4% of GMU 505, 6,494 of its 189,663 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 505?
Chehalis, Morton and Mossyrock are inside the unit. Just outside: Napavine (on the line), Centralia (on the line) and Winlock (2 miles).
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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.
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