Williams Creek GMU 673 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 172 elk taken in GMU 673 Williams Creek in 2025, 18 of them on special permits. General-season hunters numbered 1,460 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 8,338 hunter days. GMU 673 is 24.4% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (39,925 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 673Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 168,363 acres (263 square miles) |
| Counties | Pacific |
| Public land open to hunting | 24.4% (41,153 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 172 (131 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 1,460 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 7 hunts, 63 permits where WDFW prints a number |
| Towns in and near it | Raymond, Naselle, Bay Center, South Bend, Long Beach and Ilwaco |
Also for GMU 673: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 673?
WDFW reports 172 elk taken in GMU 673 in 2025, against 131 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 324, in 2018. WDFW's figures average 182 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 263 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 | 172 | 154 | 18 | 124 | 48 | 1,460 | 8,338 | 11 |
| 2024 | 131 | 117 | 14 | 93 | 38 | 1,473 | 8,500 | 8 |
| 2023 | 155 | 123 | 32 | 101 | 54 | 1,414 | 8,022 | 9 |
| 2022 | 195 | 165 | 30 | 139 | 56 | 1,436 | 8,028 | 11 |
| 2021 | 256 | 215 | 41 | 190 | 66 | 1,666 | 9,481 | 13 |
| 2020 | 253 | 221 | 32 | 174 | 79 | 1,644 | 9,792 | 13 |
| 2019 | 245 | 223 | 22 | 175 | 70 | 1,496 | 8,656 | 15 |
| 2018 | 324 | 277 | 47 | 224 | 100 | 1,462 | 8,813 | 19 |
| 2017 | 256 | 222 | 34 | 189 | 67 | 1,300 | 7,489 | 17 |
| 2016 | 236 | 197 | 39 | 171 | 65 | 1,343 | 7,732 | 15 |
| 2015 | 275 | 239 | 36 | 185 | 90 | 1,376 | 8,153 | 17 |
| 2014 | 231 | 199 | 32 | 156 | 75 | 1,377 | 8,444 | 14 |
| 2013 | 193 | 168 | 25 | 137 | 56 | 1,387 | 8,150 | 12 |
| 2012 | 249 | 210 | 39 | 161 | 88 | 1,454 | 8,153 | 14 |
| 2011 | 222 | 193 | 29 | 153 | 69 | 1,507 | 8,598 | 13 |
| 2010 | 221 | 190 | 31 | 144 | 77 | 1,636 | 9,111 | 12 |
| 2009 | 266 | 227 | 39 | 184 | 82 | 1,577 | 9,060 | 14 |
| 2008 | 200 | 164 | 36 | 128 | 73 | |||
| 2007 | 160 | 160 | not split out | 113 | 47 | 1,519 | 9,093 | 11 |
| 2006 | 136 | 136 | not split out | 113 | 23 | 1,346 | 7,685 | 10 |
| 2005 | 178 | 178 | not split out | 139 | 39 | 1,481 | 7,887 | 12 |
| 2004 | 154 | 154 | not split out | 122 | 32 | 1,482 | 8,000 | 10 |
| 2003 | 165 | 165 | not split out | 138 | 27 | 1,296 | 7,146 | 13 |
| 2002 | 158 | 158 | not split out | 106 | 52 | 1,348 | 7,327 | 12 |
| 2001 | 152 | 152 | not split out | 115 | 37 | 1,543 | 8,690 | 10 |
| 2000 | 127 | 127 | not split out | 82 | 45 | 1,782 | 8,258 | 7 |
| 1999 | 101 | 101 | not split out | 72 | 29 | 1,651 | 12,079 | 6 |
| 1998 | 57 | 57 | not split out | 40 | 17 | 1,253 | 5,339 | 5 |
| 1997 | 56 | 56 | not split out | 36 | 20 | 1,100 | 4,615 | 5 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 673, 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 673 in 2025?
The modern firearm general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 673 in 2025: 684, who took 65 (9.6% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 493 | 3,107 | 63 | 12.8% | 49 |
| Modern firearm | 684 | 3,840 | 65 | 9.6% | 59 |
| Muzzleloader | 244 | 1,068 | 18 | 7.4% | 59 |
| Multiple-season tag | 39 | 323 | 8 | 20.6% | 40 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 673?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 4-point: 67 of 124 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 67 | 35 | 7 | 48 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 43 | 35 | 6 | 38 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 54 | 27 | 8 | 54 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 79 | 41 | 7 | 56 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 103 | 60 | 6 | 66 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 673 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 673, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); 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 673 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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 673?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 7 elk special permit hunts that take in GMU 673, with 63 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2237 | Mallis Antlerless Elk | WF | Dec. 16-31 | Antlerless | Elk Area 6010 | 10 | 261 / 8 | |
| 2238 | Mallis Antlerless Elk | WF | Jan. 1-20, 2027 | Antlerless | Elk Area 6010 | 20 | 265 / 8 | |
| 2243 | Williams Creek Antlerless Elk | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMU 673 | 10 | 746 / 8 | |
| 2294 | Mallis Antlerless Elk | WM | Oct. 3-9 | Antlerless | Elk Area 6010 | 10 | 73 / 5 | |
| 2435 | Williams Creek Youth only | WF | Nov. 7-18 | Antlerless | GMU 673 | 3 | 114 / 3 | |
| 2436 | Mallis Youth only | WF | Dec. 16, 2026-Jan. 20, 2027 | Antlerless | Elk Area 6010 | 10 | 37 / 3 | |
| 2712 | Region 6 Willapa Hills- Hoof Disease Master Hunters only | Any elk tag | Dec. 1-Feb. 28 | Antlerless | GMUs 658, 660, 663, 672, 673, 681 | 69 / 3 |
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 673?
24.4% of GMU 673 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 41,153 of its 168,363 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 39,925 acres or 23.7% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 39,925 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 673 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 39,925 | 23.7% |
| WDFW land | 1,228 | 0.7% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 142 | 0.1% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 79 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 673, by WDFW's own boundaries: Johns River Wildlife Area (1,482 acres here; units Naselle River, Nemah River-Estuary, Nemah Tidelands and Palix).
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 673?
Highways through the unit: US 101 (about 31 miles inside it), SR 4 (about 3 miles inside it) and SR 6 (about 2 miles inside it). Towns inside: Raymond, Naselle and Bay Center. Nearby: South Bend (on the line), Long Beach (9 miles), Ilwaco (10 miles) and Pe Ell (15 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 673?
GMU 673 touches 4 other GMUs. Their public land and WDFW's 2025 elk numbers, for comparison:
| GMU | Name | Public land | Elk taken, 2025 | General hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 506 | Willapa Hills | 16.6% | 277 | 1,561 |
| GMU 658 | North River | 5.1% | 38 | 575 |
| GMU 672 | Fall River | 26% | 67 | 896 |
| GMU 681 | Bear River | 5.2% | 134 | 755 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 673 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 673 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless); muzzleloader: Oct. 3-9 (3 pt. min.); modern firearm: Nov. 7-18 (3 pt. min.).
How many elk are taken in GMU 673?
WDFW reports 172 elk taken in GMU 673 in 2025: 124 antlered and 48 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 324, in 2018.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 673?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 7 elk permit hunts for GMU 673: 2237 Mallis (10 permits), 2238 Mallis (20 permits), 2243 Williams Creek (10 permits), 2294 Mallis (10 permits), 2435 Williams Creek (3 permits) and 2436 Mallis (10 permits), and more in the table above. Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 673?
24.4% of GMU 673, 41,153 of its 168,363 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 673?
Raymond, Naselle and Bay Center are inside the unit. Just outside: South Bend (on the line), Long Beach (9 miles) and Ilwaco (10 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 673
Beginning at US Hwy (US) 101 bridge crossing the Willapa River at the town of Raymond; S on US 101 to State Route (SR) 6; SE on SR 6 to the Trap Creek A line; S and W on the Trap Creek A line to power transmission lines; S and SW on the power transmission lines to Weyerhaeuser (Weyco) 5800 line (Section 22, T11N, R8W); SW along the Weyco 5800 line to Weyco 5000 line; N on Weyco 5000 line (Deep River mainline); SW on the Weyco 5000 line to the Salmon Creek Rd; SW along the Salmon Creek Rd to SR 4; W on SR 4 to US 101 at Johnson's Landing; W on US 101 to the Naselle River bridge; W down the Naselle River to Willapa Bay; N along the east shore of Willapa Bay to the Willapa River; SE and NE up the Willapa River to the US 101 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.
Washington hunting Washington elk by GMU Region 6 GMU 506 GMU 658 GMU 672 GMU 681