Hunting in Washington | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

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Non-emergency Dangerous Wildlife Complaints
1-877-933-9847

More information on
Dangerous Wildlife Complaints

For more information on
hunting, please contact the
WDFW Wildlife Program.
Phone: 360-902-2515
wildthing@dfw.wa.gov

Hunter’s Code of Conduct
The code emphasizes the need for hunters to show respect for wildlife and to be considerate of non-hunters.

BIG GAME HUNTING SEASONS & RULES

Deer, Elk, Black Bear, Cougar, Mountain Goat, Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Bobcat, Coyote, Fox, Grouse, Raccoon, Rabbit & Hare, Wild Turkey Early and Late Fall

•	Download Big Game Hunting Seasons and Rules Pamphlet [PDF]
•	Corrections to the Big Game Regulation Pamphlet (as of May 2, 2012)
•	Special Hunt Permit Opportunities FAQ
•	Hunter Orange Requirements
•	Mountain Goat Permit Hunt Area Boundary Maps

HUNTER EDUCATION

Hunter education training is required in Washington State for all hunters born after January 1, 1972. The Department of Fish and Wildlife offers both traditional classroom and online hunter education classes.

WATERFOWL HUNTING

New webpage offers waterfowl hunting tips
Washington offers a wide variety of waterfowl hunting options, ranging from deep water saltwater areas to dry land agricultural fields. The many types of habitat in the state support opportunities for waterfowl ranging from mallards, Canada geese, and snow geese to sea ducks and brant. Washington plays a significant role in the migratory bird pathway known as the Pacific Flyway, and typically ranks second among the 12 western states in waterfowl abundance, hunter numbers, and harvest.
Learn more >>

•	Download the Migratory Waterfowl & Upland Game Regulation Pamphlet [PDF]
•	Corrections to the Migratory Waterfowl & Upland Game Regulation Pamphlet [PDF]
•	2010 Game Harvest Reports

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD)

Hunters’ help sought for wildlife disease monitoring
As part of an ongoing effort to watch for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is asking deer and elk hunters to submit tissue from animals harvested east of the Columbia River. Learn more >>

•	Chronic Wasting Disease information
•	Important notice to Washington State hunters

KEEP YOUR VISION ON TARGET
Learn more >>	Hunters with a valid Washington hunting license are now eligible to receive a free visual acuity screening at participating optometrist locations across the state.

HUNTING SAFETY

WDFW would like to remind hunters to be safe, follow the regulations and practice hunter safety.

•	Hunter Safety Reminder
•	Hunter Orange Requirements

Buy Your License Online!

HUNTER REPORTING

•	Submit a Big Game Hunting Report
•	Submit a Migratory Bird Hunting Report
•	Submit a Furbearer Trapping Report

GoHunt!
Interactive mapping for hunting and recreational activities in Washington

LATEST NEWS

•	Deadline to apply for special hunt permits is May 18
•	Commission expands elk hunting, rejects electronic duck decoys
•	Discover Pass transferability signed into law
•	Fish and wildlife enthusiasts invited to share photos
•	Commission adopts new sportfishing rules, increases multiple-season hunting permits
•	Fish and Wildlife Commission adopts plan to conserve and manage gray wolves
•	Strong waterfowl hunting season under way; new webpage offers tips
•	Hotline to report dead or ill swans available
•	West Nile virus, fish and wildlife
•	More Hunting Info & Regulation Updates

WHERE TO GO

•	Weekender Report
•	Wildlife Areas
•	Water Access Sites
•	Accessing Washington's Outdoors (ADA)
•	Hunting Prospects - 2011 Hunting Forecasts by District
•	Game Management Unit (GMU) Maps and Information
•	Washington State Shooting Ranges

Wildlife License Plates
Help Support Wildlife Activities in Washington

I AM LOOKING FOR...

•	Hunting Regulations & Seasons
•	Wildlife Program Weekly Activity Reports
•	WDFW Rule Making Activities
•	Migratory Bird Authorization Application
•	Chronic Wasting Disease Information
•	Check your Eartagged Game
•	Tooth Age Lookup
•	Information about tribal hunting

GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS

•	Game Harvest Reports
•	Game Status and Trend Report