Hunting for brant geese to open in Clallam, Pacific, and Whatcom counties; will remain closed in Skagit County

MILL CREEK – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced that hunts for brant geese will open as scheduled in Clallam, Pacific, and Whatcom counties, but that Skagit County will remain closed to brant hunting this season.

Brant counts this winter allow for hunting opportunities in Clallam and Whatcom counties on Jan. 18, 22, and 25 and in Pacific County on Jan. 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, and 26.

These dates were previously published in the annual hunting rules. Refer to page 27 of the 2024-2025 Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations for more information on brant hunting.

In Skagit County, low brant counts this winter mean hunting for the species will remain closed in that county including during the Youth, Veterans and Active Military Personnel waterfowl hunting opportunity on Saturday, Feb. 1.

“Recent aerial counts in Skagit County indicate numbers fell short of the 3,000-bird minimum requirement to allow brant hunting there this season,” said Kyle Spragens, WDFW’s waterfowl section manager. “These winter surveys, conducted over Padilla, Samish, and Fidalgo bays, tallied 1,992 brant.”

The aerial surveys allow WDFW biologists to monitor the winter population in relation to the estimated harvest pressure that can occur in Skagit County. The number of hunting days is directly related to how many brant are counted during these surveys.

“While we strive to provide harvest opportunity when appropriate, winter counts below the 3,000-bird threshold in Skagit County require us to restrict hunting opportunities for this unique coastal waterfowl species to meet our conservation objectives,” Spragens explained.

Brant are a migratory goose species with a sleek black head, white “necklace” marking, and distinct brown and black body feathers with striking white flank feathers. They winter in coastal bays, estuaries, and lagoons, where they eat eelgrass, sea lettuce, and other aquatic vegetation. 

Refer to this WDFW blog post for more information on brant geese.

WDFW reminds hunters to familiarize themselves with local regulations and boundaries. Specifically, hunters in Clallam County are advised to consult the closed zones of Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, and hunters in Whatcom County are advised to review Lummi Nation boundaries relevant to Bellingham and Lummi Bays.

Brant hunters must possess a valid migratory bird authorization and brant harvest report card.

WDFW works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.