Washington Hunting Guide
Complete Washington hunting guide. Washington hunting seasons, license costs, bag limits, and regulations for all major game species. Updated for the current season.
Wildlife Agency
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
Washington Hunting Seasons
Mule Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 14 | Oct 29 |
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 24 |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 7 | Oct 13 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
General and special permit units. Mule deer in eastern Washington shrub-steppe. Blacktail deer in western Washington.
Elk
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Oct 28 | Nov 8 |
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 24 |
| Muzzleloader | Oct 7 | Oct 13 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Roosevelt elk in western Washington, Rocky Mountain elk in eastern. General season and special permit hunts.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Apr 15 | May 31 |
| Archery | Apr 1 | May 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 3 (spring)
Merriam's and Rio Grande turkeys in eastern Washington. Spring and fall seasons. Over-the-counter tags.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Aug 1 | Nov 15 |
| Archery | Aug 1 | Nov 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
General season OTC tag. No hound hunting. Good populations in Cascade Range. Spring season also available.
Duck/Waterfowl
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Oct 14 | Jan 28 |
Bag limits: daily: 7, season: No season limit
Federal duck stamp and WA waterfowl stamp required. Pacific Flyway. Columbia Basin and Puget Sound are premier areas.
Whitetail Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 1 | Sep 30 |
| Rifle | Oct 12 | Nov 20 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per year
Eastern Washington only.
Mountain Goat
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime
Once-in-a-lifetime draw. Extremely limited tags.
Bighorn Sheep
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime (most states)
Extremely limited tags. Once-in-a-lifetime draw.
Mountain Lion
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter | Nov 1 | Mar 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per year
Hound hunting legal in most western states. Quotas apply.
Planning Tools
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Season Tag Planner — never miss an opening day
- Preference Point Tracker — when should you burn your points?
Washington Hunting Guides
destinations
Washington Deer Hunting: Blacktail, Mule Deer, and Whitetail Options
destinations
Washington Mule Deer Hunting: Eastern Washington Units and Tactics
destinations
Washington State Elk Hunting: Complete Guide for NR Hunters
draw odds