Bear River GMU 681 elk hunting: harvest, seasons and permits
WDFW's harvest report shows 134 elk taken in GMU 681 Bear River in 2025. General-season hunters numbered 755 (WDFW's archery, modern firearm, muzzleloader and multiple-season counts added together), with 4,397 hunter days. GMU 681 is 5.2% public land open to hunting, the largest share DNR state trust land (2,273 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 wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted)Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies)GMU 681Neighboring GMUsLake or riverHighway
| WDFW region | Region 6, Coastal Washington |
|---|---|
| Size | 70,298 acres (110 square miles) |
| Counties | Pacific and Wahkiakum |
| Public land open to hunting | 5.2% (3,625 acres) |
| Elk taken, 2025 | 134 (86 in 2024) |
| General-season hunters, 2025 | 755 |
| Modern firearm, 2026 | Nov. 7-18, 3 pt. min. |
| Elk special permit hunts, 2026 | 1 hunt (WDFW prints no permit number) |
| Towns in and near it | Chinook, Ilwaco, Long Beach and South Bend |
Also for GMU 681: deer hunting, black bear hunting.
How many elk are taken in GMU 681?
WDFW reports 134 elk taken in GMU 681 in 2025, against 86 in 2024. The most in one year since 1997 was 134, in 2025. WDFW's figures average 106 a year for 2021 to 2025, against 91 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 | 134 | 134 | 86 | 48 | 755 | 4,397 | 18 | |
| 2024 | 86 | 85 | 1 | 59 | 27 | 743 | 4,275 | 11 |
| 2023 | 104 | 104 | 80 | 24 | 714 | 4,133 | 15 | |
| 2022 | 114 | 113 | 1 | 87 | 27 | 679 | 3,830 | 17 |
| 2021 | 91 | 91 | 62 | 29 | 625 | 3,783 | 15 | |
| 2020 | 109 | 108 | 1 | 87 | 22 | 715 | 4,505 | 15 |
| 2019 | 83 | 83 | 0 | 61 | 22 | 571 | 2,939 | 15 |
| 2018 | 84 | 81 | 3 | 58 | 26 | 514 | 2,832 | 16 |
| 2017 | 86 | 86 | 67 | 19 | 518 | 3,022 | 17 | |
| 2016 | 95 | 95 | 62 | 33 | 543 | 3,110 | 17 | |
| 2015 | 91 | 91 | 63 | 28 | 566 | 3,391 | 16 | |
| 2014 | 94 | 94 | 63 | 31 | 665 | 3,940 | 14 | |
| 2013 | 101 | 99 | 2 | 56 | 45 | 645 | 3,806 | 15 |
| 2012 | 98 | 98 | 66 | 32 | 652 | 4,313 | 15 | |
| 2011 | 90 | 90 | 66 | 24 | 613 | 3,893 | 15 | |
| 2010 | 73 | 73 | 46 | 27 | 570 | 3,485 | 13 | |
| 2009 | 89 | 89 | 57 | 32 | 626 | 3,801 | 14 | |
| 2008 | 69 | 69 | 43 | 26 | ||||
| 2007 | 58 | 58 | not split out | 38 | 20 | 449 | 3,007 | 13 |
| 2006 | 60 | 60 | not split out | 37 | 23 | 552 | 3,426 | 11 |
| 2005 | 82 | 82 | not split out | 64 | 18 | 529 | 3,040 | 16 |
| 2004 | 83 | 83 | not split out | 70 | 13 | 611 | 3,579 | 14 |
| 2003 | 70 | 70 | not split out | 56 | 14 | 540 | 3,384 | 13 |
| 2002 | 134 | 134 | not split out | 94 | 40 | 643 | 3,737 | 21 |
| 2001 | 84 | 84 | not split out | 55 | 29 | 702 | 4,225 | 12 |
| 2000 | 88 | 88 | not split out | 47 | 41 | 1,057 | 4,924 | 8 |
| 1999 | 72 | 72 | not split out | 35 | 37 | 701 | 4,439 | 10 |
| 1998 | 34 | 34 | not split out | 17 | 17 | 892 | 4,469 | 4 |
| 1997 | 46 | 46 | not split out | 28 | 18 | 489 | 2,199 | 9 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, GMU 681, 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 681 in 2025?
The archery general season drew the most elk hunters in GMU 681 in 2025: 407, who took 65 (16% success by WDFW's count).
| Weapon, 2025 general season | Hunters | Hunter days | Elk taken | Success (WDFW) | Days per animal (WDFW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | 407 | 2,588 | 65 | 16% | 40 |
| Modern firearm | 237 | 1,168 | 42 | 17.8% | 28 |
| Muzzleloader | 85 | 424 | 21 | 24.8% | 20 |
| Multiple-season tag | 26 | 217 | 6 | 23% | 36 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk general season, 2025).
What size bulls come out of GMU 681?
WDFW counts antlered elk by the points on one side. In 2025, the most common was 4-point: 37 of 86 antlered elk.
| Year | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 5 points | 6 or more | Antlerless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 37 | 28 | 10 | 48 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 23 | 24 | 4 | 27 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 24 | 6 | 24 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 48 | 30 | 2 | 27 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 36 | 5 | 29 |
Source: WDFW Game Harvest Reports (elk, antler points).
When is elk season in GMU 681 in 2026?
General seasons for all hunters in GMU 681, by weapon: archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, 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 681 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Archery | Late archery season | Nov. 25-Dec. 15 | 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 681?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 elk special permit hunt that takes in GMU 681, with 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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, page 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 681?
5.2% of GMU 681 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 3,625 of its 70,298 acres. The largest share is DNR state trust land, 2,273 acres or 3.2% of the unit. DNR trust land covers 2,273 acres; a Discover Pass is needed to hunt it.
| Manager | Acres | Share of GMU 681 |
|---|---|---|
| DNR state trust land | 2,273 | 3.2% |
| National wildlife refuge (refuge rules; not counted) | 1,868 | 2.7% |
| WDFW land | 1,351 | 1.9% |
| Other public (parks, county, city, other agencies) | 728 | 1% |
| BLM | 1 | under 0.1% |
WDFW wildlife area land in GMU 681, by WDFW's own boundaries: Johns River Wildlife Area (1,319 acres here; units Chinook and Naselle River) and Mount Saint Helens Wildlife Area (65 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 681?
Highways through the unit: SR 401 (about 20 miles inside it), US 101 (about 19 miles inside it) and SR 4 (about 8 miles inside it). Towns inside: Chinook. Nearby: Ilwaco (on the line), Long Beach (3 miles), South Bend (16 miles) and Cathlamet (17 miles).
Which GMUs border GMU 681?
GMU 681 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 506 | Willapa Hills | 16.6% | 277 | 1,561 |
| GMU 673 | Williams Creek | 24.4% | 172 | 1,460 |
| GMU 684 | Long Beach | 3% | 22 | 103 |
Questions hunters ask
When is elk season in GMU 681 in 2026?
By WDFW's 2026 pamphlet, the general elk seasons open to all hunters in GMU 681 are archery: Sept. 12-24 (3 pt. min. or antlerless) and Nov. 25-Dec. 15 (late season, 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 681?
WDFW reports 134 elk taken in GMU 681 in 2025: 86 antlered and 48 antlerless. The most in one year since 1997 was 134, in 2025.
Which special permit elk hunts include GMU 681?
WDFW's 2026 pamphlet lists 1 elk permit hunt for GMU 681: 2712 Region 6 Willapa Hills- Hoof Disease ( permits). Applications for 2026 closed May 20.
How much public land is in GMU 681?
5.2% of GMU 681, 3,625 of its 70,298 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 681?
Chinook is inside the unit. Just outside: Ilwaco (on the line), Long Beach (3 miles) and South Bend (16 miles).
WDFW's boundary description of GMU 681
Beginning at the US Hwy (US) 101 bridge at the Naselle River; E on US 101 to State Route (SR) 4; SE on SR 4 to Deep River bridge; S down the Deep River to the Columbia River; W along the shore of the Columbia River to the mouth of the Wallacut River (including all islands in the Columbia both St, Alder St, and Mellen St) to Interstate Hwy (I)-5; N on I-5 to Old Hwy 99 SE; NE on Old Hwy 99 SE to SR 507; NE on SR 507 to the Nisqually 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.
Washington hunting Washington elk by GMU Region 6 GMU 506 GMU 673 GMU 684