Washington Hunting Season

John Lewis

2024 Washington Hunting Season New Dates & Regulation!

, washington

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

Deer

Moose

Elk

Goat

Bighorn Sheep

Bear

Turkey

Furbearers

Fox

Bobcat

Cougar

Coyote

Rabbit

Raccoon

Upland Game Bird

Grouse

Partridge

Pheasant

Quail

Chukar

Migratory Birds

Crow

Dove

Snipe

Waterfowls

Duck
Goose
Swans

Washington hunting seasons

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 LicenseResidentNon-ResidentResident 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 LicenseUnder 16 YouthResident Reduced FeeNon-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 PermitFREE$17.00 $17.00
Migratory Bird Authorization$3.30 $13.20 $13.20
Turkey Tag #1FREE$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 ViolationsPenalty
Assault on Fish and Wildlife Enforcement OfficerHunting 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 offender2-year suspension of fishing and hunting privileges
Hunting or fishing on suspended licensePermanent loss of fishing and hunting privileges
Property used to violate fishing and hunting regulationsSeized 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 NamePhone NumberAddress
Olympia Headquarters Office(360) 902-2200Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife(360) 902-2515PO 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) 892-10012315 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, WA 99216-1566
Region 2 - Ephrata(509) 754-46241550 Alder St. NW, Ephrata, WA 98823-9699
District Office - Wenatchee(509) 662-04523860 Highway 97A., Wenatchee, WA 98801-9607
Region 3 - Yakima(509) 575-27401701 S 24th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902-5720
Region 4 - Mill Creek(425) 775-131116018 Mill Creek Blvd., Mill Creek, WA 98012-1541
Region 5 - Ridgefield(360) 696-62115525 S 11th Street, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Region 6 - Montesano(360) 249-462848 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 Washington if they have a valid non-resident hunting license and the appropriate tags or permits for the species they want to hunt.

John Lewis
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