Hunting Seasons & Licensing · WA
Washington Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonWashington offers diverse hunting across the Cascades, eastern Washington prairies, coastal rainforests, and the Columbia Basin. Species include mule deer, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, elk (Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain), black bear, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and mountain lion. The state manages over 1 million acres of Wildlife Areas. Washington uses a draw system for most big game and has a preference point system for popular species.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer | General Modern Firearm | Oct through Nov (varies by GMU) | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| Black-tailed Deer | General | Oct through Nov (varies by GMU) | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| Elk (Roosevelt / Rocky Mountain) | General | Oct through Nov (varies by GMU) | 1 elk per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Elk | Archery | Sep (varies by GMU) | 1 elk per tag | Bow and arrow |
| Black Bear | General | Aug through Nov (varies by GMU) | 1 bear per year | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Mountain Goat | General | Sep through Nov (varies by GMU) | 1 goat | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Bighorn Sheep | General | Sep through Oct | 1 ram (once in lifetime) | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Mountain Lion | General | Sep through Apr (varies by GMU) | 1 lion per year | Rifle, bow, handgun |
Mule Deer / White-tailed Deer (General Modern Firearm): Some GMUs general season, others by draw
Black-tailed Deer (General): Western Washington
Elk (Roosevelt / Rocky Mountain) (General): Many elk tags by draw. Some GMUs have general-season tags.
Black Bear (General): No hound hunting (banned). No spring season. OTC tag.
Mountain Goat (General): Very limited — draw only
Bighorn Sheep (General): Extremely limited — draw only
Mountain Lion (General): No hound hunting. OTC tag.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 15 – May 31, 2026 | 2 bearded turkeys | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Oct through Dec (varies by GMU) | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Oct 18 – Dec 31, 2025 | 3 daily (roosters only) / 9 possession | Shotgun |
| Chukar | General | Oct 18 – Jan 31, 2026 | 6 daily / 18 possession | Shotgun |
| California Quail | General | Oct 18 – Jan 31, 2026 | 10 daily / 20 possession | Shotgun |
| Ruffed Grouse | General | Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025 | 4 daily / 8 possession | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 7 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Pacific Flyway.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Sep 1 – Mar 15, 2026 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $45.35 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $184.20 | — |
| Resident Deer Tag | $44.90 | — |
| Non-Resident Deer Tag | $414.90 | — |
| Resident Elk Tag | $52.50 | — |
| Non-Resident Elk Tag | $504.35 | — |
| Youth (under 16) | Reduced fees | — |
| Draw Application Fee | $7.10 per application | — |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Washington uses a preference point system for most big game draws. Applications are due in late May. General-season deer and some elk tags are available in certain GMUs. Most elk and many deer tags in quality units require a draw. Mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and moose are draw-only with very limited tags. Washington allocates a percentage of draw tags to non-residents (typically 10%). Leftover tags may be available after the draw.
Harvest Reporting
Washington requires mandatory harvest reporting for all deer, elk, bear, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and moose through the WDFW online system or by phone. Reporting must be completed within specified timeframes. CWD has not been confirmed in Washington but surveillance is active. All big game must be tagged immediately upon harvest.
Washington Wildlife Resources
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: WDFW Poaching Line: 1-877-933-9847
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.