Clearwater GMU 615 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 42 elk taken in GMU 615 Clearwater in 2025, 5 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 657 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 3,897 hunter days. GMU 615 is 74% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (149,202 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 park or historic site (no hunting)GMU 615Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 205,354 acres (321 square miles) |
| Counties | Jefferson |
| Public land open to hunting | 74% (151,864 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 42 (29 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 657 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 10 hunts, 24 permits |
| Towns in and near it | Forks |
Also for GMU 615: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 615?
WDFW reports 42 elk taken in GMU 615 in 2025, against 29 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 82, in 2020. WDFW's figures average 43 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 66 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 | 42 | 37 | 5 | 39 | 3 | 657 | 3,897 | 6 |
| 2024 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 0 | 736 | 4,356 | 4 | |
| 2023 | 38 | 34 | 4 | 35 | 3 | 737 | 4,493 | 5 |
| 2022 | 55 | 50 | 5 | 51 | 4 | 821 | 4,397 | 6 |
| 2021 | 51 | 46 | 5 | 46 | 5 | 923 | 5,040 | 5 |
| 2020 | 82 | 75 | 7 | 77 | 5 | 1,034 | 5,809 | 7 |
| 2019 | 81 | 72 | 9 | 72 | 9 | 837 | 4,705 | 9 |
| 2018 | 72 | 63 | 9 | 65 | 7 | 742 | 4,186 | 8 |
| 2017 | 37 | 34 | 3 | 35 | 2 | 700 | 3,930 | 5 |
| 2016 | 56 | 52 | 4 | 53 | 3 | 792 | 4,587 | 7 |
| 2015 | 80 | 77 | 3 | 78 | 2 | 832 | 4,741 | 9 |
| 2014 | 38 | 37 | 1 | 38 | 0 | 732 | 4,487 | 5 |
| 2013 | 40 | 38 | 2 | 40 | 0 | 649 | 3,682 | 6 |
| 2012 | 50 | 48 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 643 | 3,683 | 7 |
| 2011 | 49 | 48 | 1 | 49 | 0 | 624 | 3,563 | 8 |
| 2010 | 70 | 68 | 2 | 70 | 0 | 602 | 3,417 | 11 |
| 2009 | 65 | 62 | 3 | 64 | 1 | 590 | 3,393 | 11 |
| 2008 | 56 | 54 | 2 | 55 | 1 | |||
| 2007 | 47 | 47 | not split out | 47 | 0 | 486 | 2,709 | 10 |
| 2006 | 37 | 37 | not split out | 37 | 0 | 499 | 2,660 | 7 |
| 2005 | 39 | 39 | not split out | 39 | 0 | 462 | 2,413 | 8 |
| 2004 | 41 | 41 | not split out | 41 | 0 | 521 | 2,608 | 8 |
| 2003 | 48 | 48 | not split out | 48 | 0 | 449 | 2,417 | 11 |
| 2002 | 27 | 27 | not split out | 27 | 0 | 426 | 2,402 | 6 |
| 2001 | 39 | 39 | not split out | 39 | 0 | 544 | 2,782 | 7 |
| 2000 | 17 | 17 | not split out | 17 | 0 | 620 | 2,651 | 3 |
| 1999 | 24 | 24 | not split out | 24 | 0 | 730 | 5,255 | 3 |
| 1998 | 35 | 35 | not split out | 35 | 0 | 766 | 3,294 | 5 |
| 1997 | 17 | 17 | not split out | 17 | 0 | 360 | 1,474 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 615, 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 615 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 615 in 2025: 292, who took 11 (3.8% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 176 | 1,251 | 14 | 8% | 89 |
| Modern firearm | 292 | 1,610 | 11 | 3.8% | 146 |
| Muzzleloader | 171 | 909 | 10 | 5.8% | 91 |
| Multiple-season tag | 18 | 127 | 2 | 11.2% | 64 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 615?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 5-point: 16 of 39 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 7 | 3 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 3 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 23 | 13 | 6 | 4 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 10 | 9 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 615 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 615, 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 615 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 615?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 10 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 615, with 24 permits in all. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2430 | Peninsula Youth only | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMUs 602, 607, 612, 615 | 3 | 68 / 3 | |
| 2431 | Clearwater Youth only | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMU 615 | 5 | 71 / 2 | |
| 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 |
| 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 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 615?
74% of GMU 615 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 151,864 of its 205,354 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 149,202 acres or 72.7% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 149,202 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 615 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 149,202 | 72.7% |
| National forest | 2,632 | 1.3% |
| National park or historic site (no hunting) | 42 | under 0.1% |
| BLM | 17 | under 0.1% |
| WDFW land | 13 | 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 615?
Highways through the unit: US 101 (about 11 miles inside it). Nearby: Forks (4 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 615?
GMU 615 touches 2 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 607 | Sol Duc | 76% | 36 | 314 |
| GMU 612 | Goodman | 38.1% | 18 | 275 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 615 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 615 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 615?
WDFW reports 42 elk taken in GMU 615 in 2025: 39 antlered and 3 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 82, in 2020.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 615?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 10 elk permit hunts for GMU 615: 2430 Peninsula (3 permits), 2431 Clearwater (5 permits), 2437 Peninsula (2 permits), 2438 Peninsula (2 permits), 2517 Peninsula (3 permits) and 2520 Peninsula (2 permits), and more in the table above. Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 615?
74% of GMU 615, 151,864 of its 205,354 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 615?
No town or Census-listed community is inside it. The nearest towns are Forks (4 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 615
Beginning on US Hwy (US) 101 and the Bogachiel River; E along the Bogachiel River to the Olympic National Park boundary; SE and W on the Olympic National Park boundary to the Quinault Indian reservation boundary; W on the Quinault Indian reservation boundary to the Olympic National Park boundary; N along the Olympic National Park boundary to US 101; E, N, and W on US 101 to the Bogachiel River 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 607 GMU 612