Goodman GMU 612 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 18 elk taken in GMU 612 Goodman in 2025, 2 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 275 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 1,440 hunter days. GMU 612 is 38.1% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (28,991 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.
BLMDNR state trust landWDFW landNational park or historic site (no hunting)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 612Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 76,395 acres (119 square miles) |
| Counties | Jefferson and Clallam |
| Public land open to hunting | 38.1% (29,094 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 18 (39 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 275 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 14 hunts, 27 permits where WDFW prints a number |
| Towns in and near it | Forks |
Also for GMU 612: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 612?
WDFW reports 18 elk taken in GMU 612 in 2025, against 39 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 45, in 2018. WDFW's figures average 25 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 36 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 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 275 | 1,440 | 6 |
| 2024 | 39 | 32 | 7 | 33 | 6 | 282 | 1,671 | 11 |
| 2023 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 255 | 1,445 | 3 |
| 2022 | 36 | 32 | 4 | 33 | 3 | 264 | 1,607 | 12 |
| 2021 | 18 | 16 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 236 | 1,365 | 7 |
| 2020 | 42 | 40 | 2 | 41 | 1 | 285 | 1,552 | 14 |
| 2019 | 40 | 36 | 4 | 37 | 3 | 252 | 1,325 | 14 |
| 2018 | 45 | 41 | 4 | 42 | 3 | 308 | 1,620 | 13 |
| 2017 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 192 | 988 | 18 | |
| 2016 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 177 | 984 | 10 | |
| 2015 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 219 | 1,178 | 11 | |
| 2014 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 214 | 1,089 | 7 | |
| 2013 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 261 | 1,321 | 7 | |
| 2012 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 266 | 1,180 | 6 | |
| 2011 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 221 | 1,156 | 9 |
| 2010 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 200 | 1,073 | 10 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 227 | 1,093 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | ||||
| 2007 | 19 | 19 | not split out | 19 | 0 | 193 | 906 | 10 |
| 2006 | 15 | 15 | not split out | 15 | 0 | 164 | 663 | 9 |
| 2005 | 11 | 11 | not split out | 11 | 0 | 176 | 757 | 6 |
| 2004 | 9 | 9 | not split out | 9 | 0 | 177 | 767 | 5 |
| 2003 | 11 | 11 | not split out | 11 | 0 | 153 | 791 | 7 |
| 2002 | 12 | 12 | not split out | 12 | 0 | 168 | 793 | 7 |
| 2001 | 10 | 10 | not split out | 10 | 0 | 164 | 795 | 6 |
| 2000 | 7 | 7 | not split out | 7 | 0 | 306 | 906 | 2 |
| 1999 | 21 | 21 | not split out | 21 | 0 | 278 | 1,592 | 8 |
| 1998 | 8 | 8 | not split out | 8 | 0 | 291 | 978 | 3 |
| 1997 | 3 | 3 | not split out | 3 | 0 | 104 | 478 | 3 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 612, 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 612 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 612 in 2025: 157, who took 4 (2.6% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 54 | 405 | 7 | 13% | 58 |
| Modern firearm | 157 | 718 | 4 | 2.6% | 180 |
| Muzzleloader | 61 | 268 | 5 | 8.2% | 54 |
| Multiple-season tag | 3 | 49 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 612?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 4-point: 9 of 16 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 12 | 3 | 6 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 15 | 2 | 3 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 612 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 612, 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 612 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern firearm | General season | Nov. 7-18 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | |
| Archery | Early archery season | Sept. 12-24 | 3 pt. min. | All hunters | |
| 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 |
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 612?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 14 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 612, with 27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2041 | Peninsula Quality Elk | WF | Sept. 26-30 | 3 pt. min. | GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612 | 4 | 237 / 15 | 3 hunters, 2 taken |
| 2067 | Peninsula Quality Elk | WA | Sept. 1-11 | 3 pt. min. | GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612 | 2 | 131 / 10 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
| 2093 | Peninsula Quality Elk | WM | Oct. 3-14 | 3 pt. min. | GMUs 602, 603, 607, 612 | 2 | 152 / 11 | 2 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2297 | Forks Antlerless Elk | WA, WF, WM | Jan. 1-31, 2027 | Antlerless | Elk Area 6612 | 451 / 8 | ||
| 2430 | Peninsula Youth only | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 3 | 68 / 3 | |
| 2437 | Peninsula Youth only | WA | Sept. 12-24 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 2 | 3 / 2 | |
| 2438 | Peninsula Youth only | WM | Oct. 3-9 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 2 | 23 / 3 | 0 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2439 | Forks Youth only | WF, WM, WA | Dec. 16, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027 | Antlerless | Elk Area 6612 | 61 / 3 | ||
| 2517 | Peninsula Hunters 65 or older | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 3 | 119 / 8 | 2 hunters, 1 taken |
| 2520 | Peninsula Hunters 65 or older | WA | Sept. 12-24 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 2 | 19 / 9 | 0 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2521 | Peninsula Hunters 65 or older | WM | Oct. 3-9 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 2 | 76 / 9 | 0 hunters, 0 taken |
| 2618 | Peninsula Hunters with disabilities | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 3 | 60 / 5 | 1 hunter, 1 taken |
| 2619 | Peninsula Hunters with disabilities | WM | Oct. 3-9 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 1 | 38 / 12 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
| 2620 | Peninsula Hunters with disabilities | WA | Sept. 12-24 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 1 | 20 / 12 | 1 hunter, 0 taken |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, pages 48, 49, 53, 55, 56 and 57; 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 612?
38.1% of GMU 612 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 29,094 of its 76,395 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 28,991 acres or 37.9% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 28,991 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 612 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 28,991 | 37.9% |
| WDFW land | 92 | 0.1% |
| National park or historic site (no hunting) | 41 | 0.1% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 27 | under 0.1% |
| BLM | 11 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 612, by WDFW's own boundaries: Olympic Wildlife Area (66 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 612?
Highways through the unit: US 101 (about 10 miles inside it) and SR 110 (about 2 miles inside it). Towns inside: Forks.
Which GMUs border GMU 612?
GMU 612 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 602 | Dickey | 33.3% | 14 | 202 |
| GMU 607 | Sol Duc | 76% | 36 | 314 |
| GMU 615 | Clearwater | 74% | 42 | 657 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 612 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 612 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 612?
WDFW reports 18 elk taken in GMU 612 in 2025: 16 antlered and 2 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 45, in 2018.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 612?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 14 elk permit hunts for GMU 612: 2041 Peninsula (4 permits), 2067 Peninsula (2 permits), 2093 Peninsula (2 permits), 2297 Forks ( permits), 2430 Peninsula (3 permits) and 2437 Peninsula (2 permits), and more in the table above. Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 612?
38.1% of GMU 612, 29,094 of its 76,395 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 612?
Forks is inside the unit.
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 612
Beginning approximately two miles east of the town of LaPush on the Olympic National Park boundary and LaPush Rd intersection; NE on LaPush Rd to US Hwy (US) 101 at the town of Forks; S on US 101, across the Hoh River, and west to Olympic National Park Boundary; N on the Olympic National Park boundary to LaPush Rd and the point of beginning.
From WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, Game Management Unit Descriptions.
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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 6 GMU 602 GMU 607 GMU 615