Ryderwood GMU 530 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 163 elk taken in GMU 530 Ryderwood in 2025, 23 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 1,332 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 7,779 hunter days. GMU 530 is 13.6% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (47,485 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 530Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 5, Southwest Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 352,496 acres (551 square miles) |
| Public land open to hunting | 13.6% (47,831 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 163 (148 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 1,332 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 6 hunts, 101 permits where WDFW prints a number |
| Towns in and near it | Winlock, Napavine, Vader, Pe Ell, Castle Rock and Chehalis |
Also for GMU 530: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 530?
WDFW reports 163 elk taken in GMU 530 in 2025, against 148 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 455, in 2012. WDFW's figures average 176 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 230 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 | 163 | 140 | 23 | 140 | 23 | 1,332 | 7,779 | 11 |
| 2024 | 148 | 123 | 25 | 124 | 24 | 1,495 | 8,616 | 8 |
| 2023 | 195 | 184 | 11 | 150 | 45 | 1,688 | 9,676 | 11 |
| 2022 | 168 | 160 | 8 | 127 | 41 | 1,618 | 9,642 | 10 |
| 2021 | 208 | 198 | 10 | 152 | 56 | 1,655 | 10,256 | 12 |
| 2020 | 235 | 230 | 5 | 197 | 38 | 1,931 | 11,356 | 12 |
| 2019 | 203 | 195 | 8 | 153 | 50 | 1,592 | 9,325 | 12 |
| 2018 | 246 | 223 | 23 | 183 | 63 | 1,645 | 9,822 | 14 |
| 2017 | 220 | 194 | 26 | 155 | 65 | 1,579 | 9,383 | 12 |
| 2016 | 246 | 225 | 21 | 143 | 103 | 1,529 | 9,429 | 15 |
| 2015 | 272 | 252 | 20 | 203 | 69 | 1,833 | 10,432 | 14 |
| 2014 | 278 | 212 | 66 | 169 | 109 | 1,928 | 10,924 | 11 |
| 2013 | 338 | 245 | 93 | 200 | 138 | 2,240 | 13,071 | 11 |
| 2012 | 455 | 303 | 152 | 214 | 241 | 2,314 | 12,925 | 13 |
| 2011 | 360 | 229 | 131 | 183 | 177 | 2,377 | 12,726 | 10 |
| 2010 | 381 | 284 | 97 | 205 | 176 | 2,644 | 14,007 | 11 |
| 2009 | 314 | 226 | 88 | 182 | 132 | 2,464 | 13,393 | 9 |
| 2008 | 302 | 233 | 69 | 178 | 124 | |||
| 2007 | 282 | 282 | not split out | 217 | 65 | 2,757 | 15,189 | 10 |
| 2006 | 299 | 299 | not split out | 197 | 102 | 2,907 | 16,157 | 10 |
| 2005 | 342 | 342 | not split out | 259 | 83 | 2,966 | 15,527 | 12 |
| 2004 | 355 | 355 | not split out | 296 | 59 | 2,987 | 15,616 | 12 |
| 2003 | 292 | 292 | not split out | 211 | 81 | 2,648 | 14,559 | 11 |
| 2002 | 270 | 270 | not split out | 225 | 45 | 2,921 | 16,409 | 9 |
| 2001 | 235 | 235 | not split out | 202 | 33 | 2,967 | 16,035 | 8 |
| 2000 | 181 | 181 | not split out | 150 | 31 | 3,815 | 16,366 | 5 |
| 1999 | 253 | 253 | not split out | 199 | 54 | 4,590 | 33,015 | 6 |
| 1998 | 143 | 143 | not split out | 99 | 44 | 3,573 | 16,437 | 4 |
| 1997 | 240 | 240 | not split out | 171 | 69 | 4,875 | 22,431 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 530, 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 530 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 530 in 2025: 682, who took 75 (11% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 381 | 2,778 | 27 | 7% | 103 |
| Modern firearm | 682 | 3,486 | 75 | 11% | 46 |
| Muzzleloader | 221 | 1,071 | 32 | 14.4% | 33 |
| Multiple-season tag | 48 | 444 | 6 | 12.6% | 74 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 530?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 4-point: 73 of 140 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 73 | 51 | 7 | 23 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 58 | 47 | 12 | 24 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 72 | 64 | 6 | 45 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 47 | 67 | 9 | 41 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 54 | 73 | 11 | 56 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 530 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 530, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min.) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, 3 pt. min.); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (3 pt. min.); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (3 pt. min.).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 530 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Nov. 7-18 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 44) |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 45) |
| Archery | Late archery season | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Oct. 3-9 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 46) |
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 530?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 6 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 530, with 101 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | Wahkiakum Quality Elk | WF | Sept. 28-Oct. 2 | Any Bull | GMUs 506, 530 | 1 | 215 / 14 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2233 | Ryderwood Antlerless Elk | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMU 530 | 30 | 974 / 8 | |
| 2260 | Ryderwood Antlerless Elk | WA | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | Antlerless | GMU 530 | 50 | 411 / 6 | |
| 2288 | Ryderwood Antlerless Elk | WM | Oct. 3-9 | Antlerless | GMU 530 | 15 | 331 / 9 | |
| 2514 | Ryderwood Hunters 65 or older | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMU 530 | 5 | 161 / 12 | 3 hunters, 1 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, pages 47, 52, 53, 56 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 530?
13.6% of GMU 530 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 47,831 of its 352,496 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 47,485 acres or 13.5% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 47,485 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 530 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 47,485 | 13.5% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 3,113 | 0.9% |
| WDFW land | 346 | 0.1% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 169 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 530, by WDFW's own boundaries: Mount Saint Helens Wildlife Area (249 acres here; units White Island and Abernathy Creek).
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 530?
Highways through the unit: SR 4 (about 20 miles inside it), I-5 (about 18 miles inside it), SR 6 (about 16 miles inside it), SR 603 (about 14 miles inside it) and SR 506 (about 12 miles inside it). Towns inside: Winlock, Napavine, Vader, Cathlamet, Puget Island and East Cathlamet. Nearby: Pe Ell (on the line), Castle Rock (on the line), Chehalis (on the line) and Toledo (2 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 530?
GMU 530 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 504 | Stella | 0.3% | 11 | 238 |
| GMU 505 | Mossyrock | 3.4% | 34 | 446 |
| GMU 506 | Willapa Hills | 16.6% | 277 | 1,561 |
| GMU 520 | Winston | 13.8% | 65 | 1,021 |
| GMU 550 | Coweeman | 7.2% | 75 | 1,063 |
| GMU 672 | Fall River | 26% | 67 | 896 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 530 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 530 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min.) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, 3 pt. min.); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (3 pt. min.); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (3 pt. min.).
How many elk are taken in GMU 530?
WDFW reports 163 elk taken in GMU 530 in 2025: 140 antlered and 23 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 455, in 2012.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 530?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 6 elk permit hunts for GMU 530: 2028 Wahkiakum (1 permit), 2233 Ryderwood (30 permits), 2260 Ryderwood (50 permits), 2288 Ryderwood (15 permits), 2514 Ryderwood (5 permits) and 2710 Region 5 Northwest- Hoof Disease ( permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 530?
13.6% of GMU 530, 47,831 of its 352,496 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 530?
Winlock, Napavine and Vader are inside the unit. Just outside: Pe Ell (on the line), Castle Rock (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 501 GMU 504 GMU 505 GMU 506 GMU 520 GMU 550 GMU 672