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!
Washington Hunting Seasons Guide
🔫 Big Game Hunting
🦌 Deer Seasons
| Method | Species | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Firearm | Black-tailed | Oct 11–31, 2025 | Western regions only. |
| White-tailed | Oct 11–24 (varies by GMU) | Some GMUs end Oct 21. | |
| Mule Deer | Oct 11–21, 2025 | Eastern regions only. | |
| Late Seasons | White-tailed | Nov 8–19, 2025 | Select GMUs. |
| Black-tailed | Nov 13–16, 2025 | Limited areas. | |
| Youth Hunts | All species | Oct 18–24 (varies by GMU) | Check local regulations. |
| Archery | Early Season | Sep 1–26, 2025 (GMU-dependent) | |
| Late Season | Nov 10–Dec 15, 2025 | Species/GMU-specific. | |
| Muzzleloader | High Buck Hunts | Sep 15–25, 2025 | Wilderness areas only. |
| Early Season | Sep 27–Oct 5, 2025 | ||
| Late Season | Nov 20–Dec 8, 2025 | Varies by GMU. |
Tag Rules: One deer per license year (additional permits may apply).
🦏 Elk Seasons
| Method | Region | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Firearm | Eastern WA | Oct 25–Nov 2 (some until Nov 15) | GMU-specific. |
| Western WA | Nov 1–12, 2025 | ||
| Master Hunters | Select Areas | Aug 1, 2025 – Jan 20, 2026 | Requires qualification. |
| Archery | Early Season | Sep 6–18, 2025 | |
| Late Season | Nov 26–Dec 15, 2025 | Region-specific. | |
| Muzzleloader | Early Season | Oct 4–10, 2025 | |
| Late Season | Nov 26–Dec 15, 2025 | Varies by region. |
Tag Rules: One elk per license (max two per year).
🐻 Black Bear
| Region | Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Most Areas | Aug 1–Nov 15, 2025 | Two per year |
| Select GMUs | Aug 15–Nov 15, 2025 | One per year |
🐆 Cougar
| Season | Bag Limit |
|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 | One per year |
(Quotas may close season early.)
🦃 Turkey Hunting
Fall 2025 Season
| Zone | Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| GMUs 101-154, 162-186 | Sep 1–Dec 31 | 2 beardless + 2 either sex |
| GMUs 382, 388, 568-578 | Sep 1–Dec 31 | 2 either sex |
| GMUs 203-290 | Sep 1–Dec 31 | 1 either sex |
| Teanaway (GMU 335) | Nov 15–Dec 15 | Special permit only |
Spring 2026 Season
| Category | Dates |
|---|---|
| Youth Season | Apr 1–7, 2026 |
| General Season | Apr 15–May 31, 2026 |
🦊 Furbearers & Small Game
Trapping (Nov 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026)
- Beaver, Marten, Mink, Muskrat, River Otter
Hunting Seasons
| Species | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Sep 1, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026 | No limit |
| Fox | Sep 1, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026 | Closed in some forests |
| Raccoon | Sep 1, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026 | No limit |
| Coyote | Year-round | No limit |
🦆 Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Ducks, Geese & Coots
| Category | Dates | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|
| General Duck | Oct 11–19 & Oct 22–Jan 25, 2026 | 7 daily (species restrictions) |
| Scaup | Nov 1–Jan 25, 2026 | 2 daily |
| Goose (GMA-Specific) | Varies (Sep–Feb) | Zone-dependent |
| Brant | Jan 10–25, 2026 (county-specific) | 2 daily |
Other Birds
| Species | Dates | Bag Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Sep 1–Oct 30, 2025 | 15 daily |
| Band-tailed Pigeon | Sep 15–23, 2025 | 2 daily |
🎯 Special Hunts & Permits
Master Hunter Program
- Extended elk (Aug 1–Jan 20) & bear access.
Falconry (Aug 1, 2025 – Mar 15, 2026)
- Upland birds, rabbits, doves (limited take).
Draw Hunts (Apply Apr–May)
- Moose, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep.
Always verify with WDFW for latest regulations. 🏹
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 | $12,000 |
For complete penalties list you may read on the eregulations website.
WA Wildlife & Fishing Contacts
Address:
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?
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.
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