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2024 Washington Hunting Season New Dates & Regulation!
Prepare yourself for a thrilling outdoor adventure in Washington! Discover a variety of wildlife amid the breathtaking scenery of the state, including deer and rabbits. Prepare yourself, adhere to rules, and make priceless experiences. Find more about permits, schedules, and regulations for an exciting hunting adventure!
With Disabilities (Adult Ewe Only, Juvenile Ram Only)
15-Sep
30-Nov
Others (Any Ram, Adult Ewe)
15-Sep
30-Nov
Raffle Rocky Mountain
1-Sep
31-Dec
Bear
Black Bear Fall (General)
August 1 - November 15
Turkey
GMUs
Bag Limit/Legal Bird
Fall General Season
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31
101-154, 162-186, 382, 388, 568-578, 203-290
Two (2) beardless and two (2) either sex turkeys in most areas; One (1) either sex turkey in specific GMUs
Spring
Youth Only
April 1-7
Statewide
Combined season limit of three (3) turkeys; Specific bag limits in various counties
General Season
April 15 - May 31
Statewide
Three (3) turkeys
Special Permit Only Hunts
Nov. 15 - Dec. 15
Teanaway GMU 335
One (1)
Furbearers
Fox
1-Sep - 15-Mar
Statewide, with the exception of the boundaries of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests, all of which are closed. There is no bag or possession limit per day
Bobcat
1-Sep - 15-Mar
No Limit
Cougar
Sept. 1-March 31
Coyote
Year- round
Rabbit
Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare
1-Sep - 15-Mar
Jackrabbit
Closed statewide
Raccoon
1-Sep - 15-Mar
Upland Game Bird
Grouse
Forest Grouse (Dusky, Sooty, Ruffed, and Spruce)
Sept. 15 - Jan. 15
Ptarmigan, Sage, and Sharp-tailed Grouse
Closed statewide
Partridge
Gray (Hungarian) Partridge (Eastern Washington)
Sept 14-15
Oct 5 - Jan 20
Pheasant
Dates
Possession
Bag Per Day
Western (Youth Only)
Sept 14-15 (8am to 4pm)
4 either sex
2 either sex
Western (Hunters 65 Years or Older, Hunters with Disabilities)
Sept 16-20 (8am to 4pm)
10 either sex
Western (Regular Season)
Sept 21 - Nov 30 (8am to 4pm)
15 either sex
Western Extended Season (ONLY at Belfair, JBLM, Kosmos, Lincoln Creek, Scatter Creek, Skookumchuck, Green Diamond resource lands & Whidbey Island release sites) (no pheasants released)
Dec 1-15 (8am to 4pm)
15 either sex
Eastern (Youth Only)
Sept 14-15
6 cocks only
3 cocks only
Eastern (Hunters 65 Years or Older, Hunters with Disabilities)
Sept 16-20
15 cocks only
Eastern (Regular Season)
Oct 19 - Jan 20
15 cocks only
Quail
Possession
Bag Per Day
Western
Sept 21 - Nov 30 (8am to 4pm)
30 mixed bag
10 mixed bag
Eastern (Youth Only)
Sept 14-15
20 mixed bag
Eastern (Regular Season)
Oct 5 - Jan 20
30 mixed bag
Chukar
(Eastern Washington) (Youth Only)
Sept 14-15
(Eastern Washington)
Oct 5 - Jan 31
Migratory Birds
Crow
Sept 1 - Dec 31
Dove
Sep 1 - Oct 30
Snipe
12-Oct - 20-Oct
22-Oct - 26-Jan
Waterfowls
Duck
Western Youth
21-Sep
Eastern Youth
28-Sep
Youth, Veterans & Active Military (Statewide)
1-Feb
Statewide
October 12-20, October 23 – January 26 (except Scaup season closed October 12 – November 1)
Goose
Canada Goose – Goose Management Areas 1 & 3
September 7-12
Canada Goose – Goose Management Area 2
September 7-15
Western Youth (Canada and white-fronted goose only)
21-Sep
Youth, Veterans & Active Military (Statewide)
1-Feb
Management Area 1
October 12 – December 1, December 14 – January 26
Management Area 2 – Coast
Every day October 12-27, Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only October 30 – December 1, December 18 – January 19, February 8-19
Management Area 2 – Inland
Every day October 12-27, Saturdays, Sundays, & Wednesdays only November 20 – January 12, February 8 – March 5
Goose Mgmt Area 3
October 12-24, November 2 – January 26
Swans
Closed Statewide
Regulations
No illegal baits or gear are allowed.
There are exceptions to the ban on using bait while hunting, such as using salt, minerals, or other naturally occurring mineral deposits.
Private land is off-limits to hunters unless they have permission from the landowner.
Clothing in hunter orange and/or hunter pink must be worn as needed or expected.
You should not drink alcohol while out on the trail.
Hunters have a responsibility to treat the outdoors and the animals they pursue with respect by making only clean, lethal shots, bringing back their kills, and not taking more than they need.
All rubbish, including cigarette butts and spent shot casings, should be hauled out, therefore it is important to camp and travel in a way that has little environmental effect.
Any suspicious or illegal behavior should be reported right away.
It is important to respect the property of others and the landowners who live on it by keeping gates closed, avoiding damage to crops and other property, and reporting any issues to the proprietors.
You are advised to finish a hunter education program and include a child or non-hunter on their expeditions.
You are not allowed to use more than 10 liters of bait for deer or elk.
License, Permit, Tags and Fees
A service-connected disability of at least 30%; you are a veteran; an elderly veteran (65 years or older) who has a handicap related to their service; a resident who uses a wheelchair; Residents with developmental disabilities as described by RCW 77.32.480, such as those who are blind or visually handicapped. You may be entitled to discounted costs. Call the WDFW Licensing Division at (360) 902-2464 or (360) 902-2349 to obtain an application. TDD for the hard of hearing is (360) 902-2207.
The licenses for small games must be acquired concurrently with a bundle of licenses for big games to qualify for the reduced cost.
Applications for Special Hunts that fall within the “Quality Elk,” “Quality Deer,” “Any Moose,” “Any Ram,” and “Goat” categories.
Only accessible with specific permission obtained through a lottery.
A License Dealer location is the only place where 5 Raffle Tickets may be bought.
Find the list of fees below:
Types of License
Resident
Non-Resident
Resident Senior
Small Game
$40.50
$183.50
$40.50
Small Game Discount
$22.00
$96.80
$22.00
Western WA Pheasant
$84.50
$167.00
$84.50
Western WA Pheasant-3 Day
$40.50
$79.00
$40.50
3-Day Small Game
-
$68.00
-
Migratory Bird Permit
$17.00
$17.00
$17.00
Migratory Bird Authorization
$13.20
$13.20
$13.20
Turkey Tag #1
$15.90
$44.50
$15.90
Additional Turkey Tags
$15.90
$66.50
$15.90
Special Hunt Permit Applications – Turkey
$7.10
$110.50
$7.10
Get Outdoors
$236.18
-
-
Types of License
Under 16 Youth
Resident Reduced Fee
Non-Resident Disabled Veterans
Small Game
$18.50
$18.50
$40.50
Small Game Discount
$8.80
$8.80
$22.00
Western WA Pheasant
$40.50
$40.50
$84.50
Western WA Pheasant-3 Day
-
$40.50
$40.50
Migratory Bird Permit
FREE
$17.00
$17.00
Migratory Bird Authorization
$3.30
$13.20
$13.20
Turkey Tag #1
FREE
$15.90
$44.50
Additional Turkey Tags
$11.50
$15.90
$66.50
Special Hunt Permit Applications – Turkey
$3.80
$7.10
$110.50
Violations & Penalties
Washington Hunting Violations
Penalty
Assault on Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officer
Hunting privileges suspension
Unlawful hunting of big game
First degree waste of fish and wildlife
Harvesting endangered fish or wildlife
Hunting big game with artificial light or spotlight
Hunting bear with bait or using dogs to hunt bear, cougar, bobcat, or lynx
Unlawful purchasing or using license
Committing a crime involving disregard for wildlife conservation
Shooting another person or domestic livestock while hunting
Repeat offender
2-year suspension of fishing and hunting privileges
Hunting or fishing on suspended license
Permanent loss of fishing and hunting privileges
Property used to violate fishing and hunting regulations
Seized and forfeited to the state
Illegally killing or possessing deer, elk, bear, or cougar
$2,000
Illegally killing or possessing moose, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat
$4,000
Illegally killing or possessing trophy deer or elk
$6,000
Illegally killing or possessing woodland caribou, grizzly bear, or trophy mountain sheep
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (Natural Resources Building) 1111 Washington St. SE Olympia, WA 98501
Tel:
360-902-2200
Other Contacts
Office Name
Phone Number
Address
Olympia Headquarters Office
(360) 902-2200
Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
(360) 902-2515
PO Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200
TDD
(800) 833-6388
-
Enforcement Program
(360) 902-2936
-
Fish Program
(360) 902-2700
-
Hunter Education
(360) 902-8111
-
Licensing Division
(360) 902-2464
-
ADA Program
(360) 902-2349
-
Region 1 - Spokane
(509) 892-1001
2315 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, WA 99216-1566
Region 2 - Ephrata
(509) 754-4624
1550 Alder St. NW, Ephrata, WA 98823-9699
District Office - Wenatchee
(509) 662-0452
3860 Highway 97A., Wenatchee, WA 98801-9607
Region 3 - Yakima
(509) 575-2740
1701 S 24th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902-5720
Region 4 - Mill Creek
(425) 775-1311
16018 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek, WA 98012-1541
Region 5 - Ridgefield
(360) 696-6211
5525 S 11th Street, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Region 6 - Montesano
(360) 249-4628
48 Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA 98563-9618
FAQ
What species of game can be hunted in Washington during hunting season?
Washington state allows the shooting of black bears, deer, elk, coyotes, and small game during the designated period.
When does the hunting season for elk start in Washington?
Elk game in Washington State runs from the latter half of August through the latter half of December.
What type of gears are required in Washington to hunt black bears?
When going on a black bear hunt in Washington, you’ll need a hunting license, a bear tag, and a firearm or bow.
What is the best time to hunt deer in Washington?
The best time to hunt deer in Washington are during the general season in November and December and during the archery in September and October.
Can non-residents hunt in Washington during hunting season?
Non-residents may go hunting in Washingtonif they have a valid non-resident hunting license and the appropriate tags or permits for the species they want to hunt.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
