West Klickitat GMU 578 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 47 elk taken in GMU 578 West Klickitat in 2025, 9 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 543 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 2,868 hunter days. GMU 578 is 27.6% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (65,970 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 landNational wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 578Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 5, Southwest Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 292,967 acres (458 square miles) |
| Public land open to hunting | 27.6% (80,897 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 47 (33 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 543 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 4 hunts, 40 permits where WDFW prints a number |
| Towns in and near it | White Salmon, Bingen, Klickitat, Goldendale and Stevenson |
Also for GMU 578: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 578?
WDFW reports 47 elk taken in GMU 578 in 2025, against 33 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 445, in 2005. WDFW's figures average 42 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 104 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 | 47 | 38 | 9 | 36 | 11 | 543 | 2,868 | 7 |
| 2024 | 33 | 26 | 7 | 23 | 10 | 495 | 2,551 | 5 |
| 2023 | 46 | 35 | 11 | 32 | 14 | 592 | 3,156 | 6 |
| 2022 | 38 | 31 | 7 | 31 | 7 | 618 | 3,053 | 5 |
| 2021 | 46 | 41 | 5 | 38 | 8 | 778 | 4,118 | 5 |
| 2020 | 103 | 98 | 5 | 39 | 64 | 1,105 | 6,042 | 9 |
| 2019 | 89 | 80 | 9 | 20 | 69 | 1,113 | 6,293 | 7 |
| 2018 | 129 | 112 | 17 | 34 | 95 | 1,263 | 7,906 | 9 |
| 2017 | 98 | 68 | 30 | 66 | 32 | 943 | 5,070 | 7 |
| 2016 | 101 | 51 | 50 | 45 | 56 | 905 | 5,318 | 6 |
| 2015 | 92 | 62 | 30 | 56 | 36 | 927 | 5,011 | 7 |
| 2014 | 91 | 48 | 43 | 47 | 44 | 893 | 4,649 | 5 |
| 2013 | 81 | 52 | 29 | 45 | 36 | 837 | 4,298 | 6 |
| 2012 | 92 | 35 | 57 | 30 | 62 | 660 | 3,590 | 5 |
| 2011 | 70 | 41 | 29 | 41 | 29 | 904 | 4,610 | 5 |
| 2010 | 41 | 18 | 23 | 16 | 25 | 956 | 5,074 | 2 |
| 2009 | 221 | 214 | 7 | 78 | 143 | 1,688 | 8,096 | 13 |
| 2008 | 113 | 105 | 8 | 37 | 76 | |||
| 2007 | 173 | 173 | not split out | 81 | 92 | 1,928 | 9,752 | 9 |
| 2006 | 194 | 194 | not split out | 72 | 122 | 2,036 | 10,273 | 10 |
| 2005 | 445 | 445 | not split out | 130 | 315 | 1,923 | 8,911 | 23 |
| 2004 | 125 | 125 | not split out | 55 | 70 | 1,844 | 8,827 | 7 |
| 2003 | 219 | 219 | not split out | 85 | 134 | 1,710 | 9,112 | 13 |
| 2002 | 130 | 130 | not split out | 64 | 66 | 1,884 | 10,336 | 7 |
| 2001 | 148 | 148 | not split out | 69 | 79 | 1,794 | 9,042 | 8 |
| 2000 | 216 | 216 | not split out | 89 | 127 | 2,290 | 10,084 | 9 |
| 1999 | 97 | 97 | not split out | 36 | 61 | 2,190 | 12,916 | 4 |
| 1998 | 206 | 206 | not split out | 68 | 138 | 1,995 | 7,758 | 10 |
| 1997 | 74 | 74 | not split out | 38 | 36 | 1,360 | 6,701 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 578, 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 578 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 578 in 2025: 326, who took 19 (5.8% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 41 | 233 | 6 | 14.6% | 39 |
| Modern firearm | 326 | 1,777 | 19 | 5.8% | 94 |
| Muzzleloader | 165 | 798 | 13 | 7.8% | 61 |
| Multiple-season tag | 11 | 60 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 578?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 5-point: 17 of 36 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 11 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 5 | 14 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 9 | 8 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 578 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 578, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (3 pt. min.) and Nov. 25-30 (late season, 3 pt. min.); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (3 pt. min.).
| Weapon | Season | 2026 dates | Legal elk | Who | WDFW's notes for GMU 578 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. or antlerless | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 45) |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Oct. 3-9 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | Footnoted in WDFW's table (page 46) |
| Muzzleloader | Late muzzleloader season | Nov. 25-30 | 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 578?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 4 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 578, with 40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2236 | West Klickitat Antlerless Elk | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMU 578 | 5 | 369 / 8 | |
| 2293 | West Klickitat Antlerless Elk | WM | Nov. 25-Dec. 8 | Antlerless | GMU 578 | 25 | 251 / 7 | |
| 2427 | West Klickitat Youth only | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMU 578 | 10 | 62 / 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 52, 53, 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 578?
27.6% of GMU 578 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 80,897 of its 292,967 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 65,970 acres or 22.5% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 65,970 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 578 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 65,970 | 22.5% |
| National forest | 10,870 | 3.7% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 6,515 | 2.2% |
| WDFW land | 2,630 | 0.9% |
| BLM | 1,427 | 0.5% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 356 | 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 578, by WDFW's own boundaries: Klickitat Wildlife Area (3,902 acres here; units Fisher Hill, Sondino Ponds, 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 578?
Highways through the unit: SR 141 (about 23 miles inside it) and SR 142 (about 7 miles inside it). Towns inside: White Salmon, Bingen, Klickitat and Glenwood. Nearby: Goldendale (12 miles) and Stevenson (18 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 578?
GMU 578 touches 3 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 388 | Grayback | 11.2% | 8 | 52 |
| GMU 560 | Lewis River | 90.2% | 73 | 2,135 |
| GMU 574 | Wind River | 73.3% | 19 | 322 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 578 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 578 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (3 pt. min.) and Nov. 25-30 (late season, 3 pt. min.); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (3 pt. min.).
How many elk are taken in GMU 578?
WDFW reports 47 elk taken in GMU 578 in 2025: 36 antlered and 11 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 445, in 2005.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 578?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 4 elk permit hunts for GMU 578: 2236 West Klickitat (5 permits), 2293 West Klickitat (25 permits), 2427 West Klickitat (10 permits) and 2711 Region 5 Southeast- Hoof Disease ( permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 578?
27.6% of GMU 578, 80,897 of its 292,967 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 578?
White Salmon, Bingen and Klickitat are inside the unit. Just outside: Goldendale (12 miles) and Stevenson (18 miles).
Get a Washington hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Washington are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Washington included.
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 388 GMU 560 GMU 574