Mashel GMU 654 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 97 elk taken in GMU 654 Mashel in 2025, 5 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 810 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 3,910 hunter days. GMU 654 is 19.3% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (23,373 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 landNational park or historic site (no hunting)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 654Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 208,184 acres (325 square miles) |
| Counties | Pierce |
| Public land open to hunting | 19.3% (40,078 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 97 (109 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 810 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 1 hunt, 20 permits |
| Towns in and near it | La Grande, Kapowsin, Alder, Eatonville, Carbonado and Wilkeson |
Also for GMU 654: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 654?
WDFW reports 97 elk taken in GMU 654 in 2025, against 109 in 2024. The most in one year since 2000 was 171, in 2022. WDFW's figures average 121 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 141 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 | 97 | 92 | 5 | 75 | 22 | 810 | 3,910 | 11 |
| 2024 | 109 | 103 | 6 | 90 | 19 | 1,003 | 4,891 | 10 |
| 2023 | 111 | 105 | 6 | 77 | 34 | 908 | 4,102 | 12 |
| 2022 | 171 | 165 | 6 | 133 | 38 | 969 | 4,851 | 17 |
| 2021 | 119 | 114 | 5 | 86 | 33 | 942 | 4,611 | 12 |
| 2020 | 156 | 147 | 9 | 114 | 42 | 1,000 | 4,882 | 15 |
| 2019 | 147 | 138 | 9 | 114 | 33 | 887 | 4,333 | 16 |
| 2018 | 147 | 134 | 13 | 106 | 41 | 1,021 | 5,138 | 13 |
| 2017 | 139 | 124 | 15 | 106 | 33 | 814 | 3,892 | 15 |
| 2016 | 115 | 103 | 12 | 85 | 30 | 749 | 3,453 | 14 |
| 2015 | 93 | 81 | 12 | 63 | 30 | 794 | 3,941 | 10 |
| 2014 | 101 | 89 | 12 | 61 | 40 | 790 | 3,833 | 11 |
| 2013 | 122 | 106 | 16 | 72 | 50 | 813 | 3,923 | 13 |
| 2012 | 109 | 98 | 11 | 64 | 45 | 694 | 3,049 | 14 |
| 2011 | 76 | 68 | 8 | 60 | 16 | 634 | 3,085 | 11 |
| 2010 | 69 | 56 | 13 | 38 | 31 | 643 | 3,023 | 9 |
| 2009 | 67 | 56 | 11 | 34 | 33 | 674 | 3,090 | 8 |
| 2008 | 84 | 70 | 14 | 54 | 30 | |||
| 2007 | 71 | 71 | not split out | 52 | 19 | 593 | 2,788 | 12 |
| 2006 | 33 | 33 | not split out | 29 | 4 | 368 | 1,680 | 9 |
| 2005 | 44 | 44 | not split out | 38 | 6 | 480 | 2,169 | 9 |
| 2004 | 35 | 35 | not split out | 32 | 3 | 457 | 1,956 | 8 |
| 2003 | 45 | 45 | not split out | 41 | 4 | 474 | 2,152 | 9 |
| 2002 | 43 | 43 | not split out | 33 | 10 | 667 | 3,231 | 6 |
| 2001 | 30 | 30 | not split out | 26 | 4 | 558 | 2,546 | 5 |
| 2000 | 32 | 32 | not split out | 28 | 4 | 675 | 2,654 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 654, 2000 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 654 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 654 in 2025: 297, who took 31 (10.4% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 247 | 1,423 | 23 | 9.4% | 62 |
| Modern firearm | 297 | 1,251 | 31 | 10.4% | 40 |
| Muzzleloader | 254 | 1,148 | 38 | 15% | 30 |
| Multiple-season tag | 12 | 88 | 0 | 0% |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 654?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 5-point: 32 of 75 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 32 | 32 | 22 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 26 | 50 | 19 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 40 | 30 | 34 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 50 | 65 | 38 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 28 | 42 | 33 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 654 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 654, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (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 654 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Muzzleloader | Early muzzleloader season | Oct. 3-9 | 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 654?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 elk special permit hunt that takes in GMU 654, with 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2295 | Mashel Antlerless Elk | WM | Jan. 1-15, 2027 | Antlerless | Elk Area 6054 | 20 | 247 / 9 |
Sources: WDFW 2026 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations, page 53; 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 654?
19.3% of GMU 654 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 40,078 of its 208,184 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 23,373 acres or 11.2% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 23,373 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 654 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 23,373 | 11.2% |
| National forest | 16,683 | 8% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 4,675 | 2.2% |
| National park or historic site (no hunting) | 529 | 0.3% |
| WDFW land | 22 | 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 654?
Highways through the unit: SR 706 (about 14 miles inside it), SR 165 (about 12 miles inside it), SR 7 (about 11 miles inside it) and SR 161 (about 4 miles inside it). Towns inside: La Grande, Kapowsin, Alder, Ashford and Elbe. Nearby: Eatonville (on the line), Carbonado (on the line), Wilkeson (on the line) and South Prairie (3 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 654?
GMU 654 touches 5 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 510 | Stormking | 32.6% | 12 | 279 |
| GMU 513 | South Rainier | 93.2% | 27 | 502 |
| GMU 652 | Puyallup | 1.1% | 222 | 889 |
| GMU 653 | White River | 52.7% | 70 | 142 |
| GMU 667 | Skookumchuck | 13.8% | 109 | 1,021 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 654 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 654 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (3 pt. min.).
How many elk are taken in GMU 654?
WDFW reports 97 elk taken in GMU 654 in 2025: 75 antlered and 22 antlerless. The most in one year since 2000 was 171, in 2022.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 654?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 elk permit hunt for GMU 654: 2295 Mashel (20 permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 654?
19.3% of GMU 654, 40,078 of its 208,184 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 654?
La Grande, Kapowsin and Alder are inside the unit. Just outside: Eatonville (on the line), Carbonado (on the line) and Wilkeson (on the line).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 654
Beginning at the power transmission line at the Puyallup River Bridge on Orville Rd E; NE on the power line to the Carbon River; SE along the Carbon River to the west boundary of Mt. Rainier National Park; S on the Mt. Rainier National Park boundary to the Nisqually River; W down the Nisqually River to the mouth of the Mashel River; N up the Mashel River to the State Route (SR) 161 bridge (Eatonville-LaGrande Rd); N on SR 161 through Eatonville to Orville Rd E; N on Orville Rd E to the Puyallup River bridge 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.
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