Washington Hunting Seasons 2025-2026 – Tags, Game Units & Legal Weapons
Washington state offers some of the most diverse hunting opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, with vast landscapes ranging from coastal rainforests to arid eastern plains. Whether you’re pursuing big game like deer and elk, upland birds, waterfowl, or small game, the Evergreen State provides abundant opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This comprehensive guide covers the latest hunting seasons for 2025, including essential information on bag limits, wildlife management zones, and licensing requirements to help you plan your next expedition.
🎯 Quick Season Summary Table
| Species | Early Season | General Season | Late Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Modern) | – | Oct 11-31 | Nov 8-19 |
| Elk (Modern) | – | Oct 25-Nov 15 | – |
| Bear | Aug 1-Nov 15 | – | – |
| Turkey (Fall) | Sep 1-Dec 31 | – | – |
| Ducks | Oct 11-19 | Oct 22-Jan 25 | – |
| Geese | Sep 6-14 | Oct 11-Jan 25 | Feb 7-15 |
| Forest Grouse | Sep 15-Jan 15 | – | – |
| Pheasant | Sep 20-Nov 30 | – | Dec 1-15 |
🦌 Big Game: Archery & Rifle
Deer Opportunities
The state offers exceptional diversity with three distinct species: black-tailed deer along the western regions, mule deer in the eastern areas, and white-tailed deer in select zones.
Modern Firearm Dates:
- Black-tailed Deer: Oct 11-31, 2025
- White-tailed Deer: Oct 11-24 or Oct 11-21 (varies by GMU)
- Mule Deer: Oct 11-21, 2025
- Late Seasons: Nov 8-19 (white-tailed), Nov 13-16 (black-tailed)
- Youth Dates: Oct 18-24 or Oct 18-21 (GMU dependent)
Archery Opportunities:
- Early Season: Sep 1-26 (varies by GMU)
- Late Season: Nov 10-Dec 15 (varies by species and GMU)
Muzzleloader Dates:
- High Buck Hunts: Sep 15-25 (Wilderness areas)
- Early Season: Sep 27-Oct 5
- Late Season: Nov 20-Dec 8 (varies by GMU)
🎟️ Tag Info: One deer per license year unless special permits allow additional harvests.
Elk Adventures
Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt elk roam across diverse terrain from coastal rainforests to alpine meadows.
Modern Firearm Dates:
- Eastern WA: Oct 25-Nov 2 or Oct 25-Nov 15 (GMU specific)
- Western WA: Nov 1-12, 2025
- Master Hunters: Aug 1-Jan 20 (select areas)
Archery Opportunities:
- Early Season: Sep 6-18, 2025
- Late Season: Nov 26-Dec 15 (varies by region)
Muzzleloader Dates:
- Early Season: Oct 4-10, 2025
- Late Season: Nov 26-Dec 15 (varies by region)
🎟️ Tag Info: One elk per license, maximum two per license year.
Black Bear
These adaptable omnivores provide exciting opportunities across forested regions.
Season Dates: Aug 1-Nov 15 (most areas) or Aug 15-Nov 15 (select GMUs)
🎟️ Bag Limit: Two bears per license year (one in select management units)
Cougar
Mountain lions offer challenging pursuits across mountainous terrain.
Season Dates: Sep 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 (or until harvest quotas are met)
🎟️ Bag Limit: One cougar per license year
🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall & Youth
Fall Opportunities
General Season: Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025
Bag Limits by Zone:
- GMUs 101-154, 162-186: 2 beardless + 2 either sex
- GMUs 382, 388, 568-578: 2 either sex
- GMUs 203-290: 1 either sex
Special Permit Areas: Nov 15 – Dec 15 (GMU 335 Teanaway area)
Spring Opportunities (2026)
Youth Season: Apr 1-7, 2026 General Season: Apr 15 – May 31, 2026
🎟️ The state offers excellent opportunities for the “Washington Slam” – harvesting all three subspecies: Eastern, Merriam’s, and Rio Grande.
🦝 Furbearers
Primary Species
Bobcat: Sep 1 – Mar 15, 2026
- No bag limit
- Pelt sealing and jaw submission required by Apr 20, 2026
Fox: Sep 1 – Mar 15, 2026
- No bag limit
- Closed in select National Forest areas
Raccoon: Sep 1 – Mar 15, 2026
- No bag limit
- Dog restrictions during modern firearm deer/elk seasons
Coyote: Year-round opportunities
- No bag limit
Trapping Opportunities
Beaver, Marten, Mink, Muskrat, River Otter: Nov 1 – Mar 31, 2026
- Trapping license required
- River otter pelt sealing mandatory
🐦 Upland Birds
Forest Grouse
Species: Ruffed, Sooty, Dusky, and Spruce grouse Season: Sep 15 – Jan 15, 2026 Bag Limit: 4 birds daily (max 3 each species)
Pheasant
Western Region:
- Youth: Sep 13-14, 2025
- Senior/Disabled: Sep 15-19, 2025
- General: Sep 20 – Nov 30, 2025
- Extended sites: Dec 1-15, 2025
Eastern Region:
- Youth: Sep 13-14, 2025
- Senior/Disabled: Sep 15-19, 2025
- General: Oct 18 – Jan 19, 2026
Quail & Partridge
California & Bobwhite Quail:
- Western: Sep 20 – Nov 30, 2025
- Eastern: Oct 4 – Jan 19, 2026
Mountain Quail: Sep 20 – Nov 30 (Western regions only)
Gray Partridge: Oct 4 – Jan 19, 2026 (Eastern regions)
Chukar: Oct 4 – Jan 31, 2026 (Eastern regions)
🐰 Upland Animals
Small Game Mammals
Cottontail & Snowshoe Hare: Sep 1 – Mar 15, 2026
- Bag limit: 5 daily, 15 possession
Jackrabbit, Pygmy Rabbit: Closed statewide
Crow: Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2025
- No bag limit
🕊️ Other Small Games
| Species | Season Dates | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | 15 daily, 45 possession |
| Band-tailed Pigeon | Sep 15-23 | 2 daily, 6 possession |
| Cottontail/Snowshoe Hare | Sep 1 – Mar 15 | 5 daily, 15 possession |
| Bobcat | Sep 1 – Mar 15 | No limit |
| Fox | Sep 1 – Mar 15 | No limit |
| Raccoon | Sep 1 – Mar 15 | No limit |
| Coyote | Year-round | No limit |
🦆 Migratory Birds
Ducks, Coots & Snipe
Youth Special Days:
- Western WA: Sep 20, 2025
- Eastern WA: Sep 27, 2025
General Season: Oct 11-19 & Oct 22 – Jan 25, 2026
Scaup Season: Nov 1 – Jan 25, 2026
Bag Limits: 7 ducks daily with species restrictions (max 2 hen mallard, 3 pintail, 2 scaup, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead)
Mourning Dove
Season: Sep 1 – Oct 30, 2025 Bag Limit: 15 daily, 45 possession
Band-tailed Pigeon
Season: Sep 15-23, 2025 Bag Limit: 2 daily, 6 possession
🦢 Ducks, Scaup, Mergansers & Geese
Waterfowl Opportunities
Duck Season Details:
- Regular Season: Oct 11-19 & Oct 22 – Jan 25, 2026
- Scaup: Nov 1 – Jan 25, 2026 (closed Oct 11-31)
- Daily Limit: 7 ducks with species restrictions
Goose Management Areas:
September Early Season:
- GMA 1 & 3: Sep 6-14, 2025
- GMA 2: Sep 6-14, 2025
- GMA 4 & 5: Sep 6-7, 2025
Regular Season by Area:
- GMA 1: Oct 11-Nov 30 & Dec 13-Jan 25
- GMA 2: Oct 11-Nov 30 & Dec 20-Jan 11
- Late white goose: Feb 7-15, 2026
White Geese Special Limits:
- 6 daily before Feb 1
- 10 daily after Feb 1 (GMA 1 only)
🦆 Other Waterfowls
Brant
Limited Opportunity:
- Clallam & Whatcom Counties: Jan 17, 21, 24, 2026
- Pacific County: Jan 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 2026
Bag Limit: 2 daily, 6 possession
Special Waterfowl Opportunities
Youth, Veterans & Active Military: Jan 31, 2026 (all waterfowl species)
Coots: 25 daily bag limit
🎯 More Games & Additional Opportunities
Falconry Opportunities
Extended Season: Aug 1 – Mar 15, 2026
Species & Limits:
- Upland birds: 2 pheasant, 6 partridge, 5 California quail, 2 mountain quail
- Forest grouse: 3 birds
- Cottontail/snowshoe hare: 5 daily
- Mourning dove: 3 daily (Sep 1 – Dec 16)
Special Permit Opportunities
Big Game Special Draws: Moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep require special permits with application periods in mid-April through late May.
Application Dates: Mid-April through late May annually
Master Hunter Programs
Extended opportunities for qualified hunters include:
- Elk: Aug 1 – Jan 20, 2026 (select areas)
- Extended bear access in specific zones
🔗 Essential Resources
- Complete Big Game Regulations: WDFW Big Game Pamphlet
- Game Bird & Small Game Guide: WDFW Small Game Pamphlet
- Official WDFW Website: wdfw.wa.gov/hunting
🗺️ Washington Hunting Zones Map
For detailed hunting zone information, hunters should visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s interactive mapping tools at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/gmu. These resources provide boundaries for Game Management Units (GMUs), wildlife areas, and special hunt areas.
🎟️ License Details
Resident Licenses
- Small Game: $40.50
- Small Game Discount (with big game license): $22.00
- Western Washington Pheasant: $84.50
- Western Washington Pheasant (3-day): $40.50
- Migratory Bird Permit: $17.00
- Migratory Bird Authorization: $13.20
- Turkey Tag #1: $15.90
- Additional Turkey Tags: $15.90 each
Non-Resident Licenses
- Small Game: $183.50
- Small Game Discount (with big game license): $96.80
- Western Washington Pheasant: $167.00
- Western Washington Pheasant (3-day): $79.00
- 3-Day Small Game: $68.00
- Migratory Bird Permit: $17.00
- Migratory Bird Authorization: $13.20
- Turkey Tag #1: $44.50
- Additional Turkey Tags: $66.50 each
Youth Licenses (Under 16)
- Small Game: $18.50
- Western Washington Pheasant: $40.50
- Migratory Bird Permit: FREE
- Migratory Bird Authorization: $3.30
- Turkey Tag #1: FREE
- Additional Turkey Tags: $11.50 each
❓ FAQ
How do I purchase hunting tags in Washington?
Hunting licenses, tags, and permits can be purchased online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, by phone at 1-866-246-9453, or at authorized license dealers throughout the state.
Can I hunt on public lands in Washington?
Yes, Washington offers numerous public land hunting opportunities including national forests, state wildlife areas, and Department of Natural Resources lands. Always verify land ownership and specific regulations before hunting.
Is night hunting allowed in Washington?
Night hunting is generally prohibited for most game species. Specific exceptions exist for certain predators and varmints, but restrictions apply during deer and elk seasons.
What are the hunter orange requirements?
Hunter orange or fluorescent hunter pink is required for anyone hunting in areas open to modern firearm deer or elk seasons. This typically means a minimum of 400 square inches above the waist, visible from all sides.
How do I report my harvest?
Hunters must report their harvest for deer, elk, bear, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and turkey. Reporting deadlines vary by species and season. Most reports can be submitted online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.
Related Pages
- Deer Hunting in Washington
- Elk Hunting in Washington
- Turkey Hunting in Washington
- Oregon Hunting Seasons
- Idaho Hunting Seasons
Final Thoughts
Washington’s diverse landscapes provide exceptional hunting opportunities for both residents and visitors. From the majestic Roosevelt elk in western rainforests to mule deer on eastern plateaus, or waterfowl in coastal estuaries, the Evergreen State offers something for every hunting enthusiast. Before heading out, always check the latest regulations, secure proper tags, and scout your hunting areas. Remember that regulations can change, so it’s essential to verify season dates and requirements with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before your trip. Good luck, be safe, and enjoy Washington’s abundant wildlife resources!
