The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife provides education and training opportunities to help hunters have safe, legal, and ethical hunts. Hunters who were born after Jan. 1, 1972 must show proof of completing a hunter education program before buying their first Washington hunting license. Washington's certification is accepted in all 50 states.
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Hunter education
Hunter education courses are available throughout the year.
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Reporting your harvest
All hunters are required to submit a hunter report, even if they didn't hunt.
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Hunting clinics
WDFW offers clinics to teach new hunters the basics of hunting.
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Master Hunter Permit Program
Master Hunters are ambassadors of safe, ethical, responsible, and legal hunting in Washington.
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Hunting ethics and safety
Safe, ethical hunting is a requirement for anyone hunting in Washington.
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Important hunting dates
A summary of important hunting dates throughout the year.
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Goose identification testing
Certain hunters, including new hunters, need to pass an exam to hunt geese in southwest Washington.
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Bear identification program
Hunters must be able to distinguish black bears from endangered grizzly bears. Take the online identification test.
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Food safety guidelines for game meat
How to safely prepare your hunting harvest for processing and consumption.
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Waterfowl Hunting
Washington offers a wide variety of waterfowl hunting options, ranging from deep saltwater areas to dry land agricultural fields.
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How to prepare for hunting season
Most successful hunters know that the season doesn’t begin on opening day; it starts in the weeks and months before.
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Upland bird hunting
Learn about hunting pheasants, quail, partridge, and grouse.
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Falconry
Falconry is a way of life, not for the faint of heart or the casual recreationist.