It is unlawful to fail to comply with bag, possession, and season limits described below. A violation of this section is punishable under RCW
77.15.410 Unlawful hunting of big game
—Penalty.
Bag Limit: One elk per hunter during the license year, except where otherwise permitted by department rule. Any combination of seasons, tags, and permits set by the department will not exceed a maximum of two elk per hunter during the license year.
Hunting Method: Elk hunters must select only one of the hunting methods: Modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader.
Elk Tag Areas: Elk hunters must choose either Eastern or Western Washington to hunt in and buy the appropriate tag for that area.
Any Bull Elk Seasons: Open only to the taking of elk with visible antlers; bull calves are illegal.
Antler Point: To qualify as an antler point, the point must be at least one inch long, measured on the longest side.
Branch: A branch is defined as any projection off the main antler beam that is at least one inch long, measured on the longest side, and longer than it is wide.
Spike Bull Antler Restrictions: Bull elk taken in spike-only game management units (GMUs) must have at least one antler with no branches originating more than four inches above where the antler attaches to the skull.
True Spike Bull Antler Restrictions: Neither antler of bull elk taken can have branching originating more than four inches above where the antlers attach to the skull. Under the true-spike restriction, taking an elk that has two points on one side or antler points within one inch of the definitions regarding length of point, or point of origination, is an infraction under RCW
77.15.160. All other types of violations of the true-spike restriction are subject to current penalties and assessments under RCW
77.15.410 and
77.15.420.
3-point Antler Restrictions: Legal bull elk must have at least three antler points on one side. Eye guards are antler points when they are at least one inch long. Antler restrictions apply to all hunters during any open season.
Permit-only Units: The following GMUs are closed to elk hunting during general elk seasons: 157, 418, 437, 485, 522, 556, 621, 636, and 653.
GMUs Closed to Elk Hunting: 490.
Elk Tag Areas
Eastern Washington: All 100, 200, and 300 GMUs.
EA - Eastern Washington Archery Tag
EF - Eastern Washington Modern Firearm Tag
EM - Eastern Washington Muzzleloader Tag
Western Washington: All 400, 500, and 600 GMUs.
WA - Western Washington Archery Tag
WF - Western Washington Modern Firearm Tag
WM - Western Washington Muzzleloader Tag
Modern Firearm General Elk Seasons
License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.
Tag Required: A valid modern firearm elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: May use modern firearm, bow and arrow, crossbow, or muzzleloader, but only during modern firearm seasons.
Hunt Area | Elk Tag Area | Game Management Units (GMUs) | 2021 Dates | 2022 Dates | 2023 Dates | Legal Elk |
Eastern Washington | EF | 101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 204 | Oct. 30 - Nov. 7 | Oct. 29 - Nov. 6 | Oct. 28 - Nov. 5 | Any bull |
| | 145 through 154, 162 through 186, 249, 336 through 368 | Oct. 30 - Nov. 7 | Oct. 29 - Nov. 6 | Oct. 28 - Nov. 5 | Spike bull |
| | 251, 328, 329, 334, 335 | Oct. 30 - Nov. 7 | Oct. 29 - Nov. 6 | Oct. 28 - Nov. 5 | True spike bull |
| | Elk Area 3722 | Sept. 11-26 | Sept. 10-25 | Sept. 9-24 | Antlerless only |
| | 124 through 142, 372, 382, 388 | Oct. 30 - Nov. 7 | Oct. 29 - Nov. 6 | Oct. 28 - Nov. 5 | Any elk |
| | 203, 209 through 248, 250, 254 through 290, 373, 379, 381 | Oct. 30 - Nov. 15 | Oct. 29 - Nov. 15 | Oct. 28 - Nov. 15 | Any elk |
| | Master Hunters Only: Elk Areas 3911 and 3912. Must wear hunter orange and/or hunter pink. | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2022 | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2023 | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2024 | Antlerless only |
| | Master Hunters Only: 371. Must wear hunter orange and/or hunter pink. | Aug. 1-31 | Aug. 1-31 | Aug. 1-31 | Antlerless only |
| | Master Hunters Only: 127, 130 | Dec. 9-31 | Dec. 9-31 | Dec. 9-31 | Antlerless only |
Western Washington | WF | 460, 466, 448, 503, 505 through 520, 524 (except CLOSED in Elk Area 5066), 530, 550, 560, 568, 572, 574, 578, 601 through 618, 624 (except for Elk Area 6071), 627, 633, 638 (except master hunters only in Elk Area 6064 portion of GMU 638), 642 through 651, 652 (except for Elk Area 6014), 654, 658, 660, 667 through 684. | Nov. 6-17 | Nov. 5-16 | Nov. 4-15 | 3 pt. min. |
| | 501, 504, 663, Elk Areas 4601 and 6014 | Nov. 6-17 | Nov. 5-16 | Nov. 4-15 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
| | 407, 564, 666 | Nov. 6-17 | Nov. 5-16 | Nov. 4-15 | Any elk |
| | 454 | Nov. 6-17 | Nov. 5-16 | Nov. 4-15 | Any bull |
Archery General Elk Seasons
License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.
Tag Required: A valid archery elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Bow and arrow only, as defined under WAC
220-414-070.
Special Notes: Archery tag holders can hunt only during archery seasons and must hunt with archery equipment (WAC
220-414-070). Archery elk hunters may apply for special bull permits. Please see permit table for tag eligibility for all elk permits.
Hunt Area | Elk Tag Area | Game Management Units (GMUs) | 2021 Dates | 2022 Dates | 2023 Dates | Legal Elk |
Early Archery General Elk Seasons |
Eastern Washington | EA | 101 through 142, 204, 243, 247, 249, 250, 272, 278, 284, 290, 373, 379, 381, 382 (except CLOSED in Deer Area 5382), 388 | Sept. 11-23 | Sept. 10-22 | Sept. 9-21 | Any elk |
| | 162, 166, 169, 172, 175, 186, 251, 328, 329, 336, 340, 352, 356, 364 | Sept. 11-23 | Sept. 10-22 | Sept. 9-21 | Spike bull |
| | 145, 149, 154, 163, 178, 181, 334, 335, 371 | Sept. 11-23 | Sept. 10-22 | Sept. 9-21 | Spike bull or antlerless |
| | Master Hunters Only: 371. Must wear hunter orange and/or hunter pink. | Aug. 1-31 | Aug. 1-31 | Aug. 1-31 | Antlerless only |
Western Washington | WA | 407, 454, 564, 666, 684, Elk Area 6014 | Sept. 11-23 | Sept. 10-22 | Sept. 9-21 | Any elk |
| | Elk Area 4601, 501 through 505, 520, 550, 554, 560, 568, 572, 574, 578, Elk Area 6061, 652 (except Elk Area 6013 closed to antlerless), 654, 660, 663, 667 through 673, 681, 699 | Sept. 11-23 | Sept. 10-22 | Sept. 9-21 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
| | 448, 460, 466, 506, 510, 513, 516, 524 (except CLOSED in Elk Area 5066), 530, 601 through 618, 624 (except for Elk Area 6071), 627, 633, 638 (except Master Hunters only in Elk Area 6064), 642 through 651, 658 | Sept. 11-23 | Sept. 10-22 | Sept. 9-21 | 3 pt. min. |
Late Archery General Elk Seasons |
Eastern Washington | EA | 101, 105, 108, 117, 121, 204 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Any bull |
| | 124, 127, 373, 382 (except CLOSED in Deer Area 5382), 388 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Any elk |
| | 178 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 20 - Dec. 8 | Antlerless only |
| | 163 | Dec. 9 - Jan. 30, 2022 | Dec. 9 - Jan. 30, 2023 | Dec. 9 - Jan. 30, 2024 | Antlerless only |
| | 203, 209 through 248, 250, 254 through 290, 379, 381. Must wear hunter orange and/or hunter pink. | Oct. 30 - Nov. 15 | Oct. 29 - Nov. 15 | Oct. 28 - Nov. 15 | Any elk |
| | Master Hunters Only: Elk Areas 3911 and 3912. Must wear hunter orange and/or hunter pink. | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2022 | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2023 | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2024 | Antlerless only |
| | Master Hunters Only: 127, 130 | Dec. 9-31 | Dec. 9-31 | Dec. 9-31 | Antlerless only |
| | 334, 335 | Nov. 24 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 23 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 22 - Dec. 8 | Spike bull or antlerless |
| | 249, 251, 336, 342, 346, 352, 364, Elk Area 3681 | Nov. 24 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 23 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 22 - Dec. 8 | Spike bull |
Western Washington | WA | Elk Area 4601, 503, 505, 506, 530, 652 (except Elk Area 6013 closed to antlerless), 663, 667, 672, 681, and 699. Master hunters only in Elk Area 6064 portion of GMU 638 | Nov. 24 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
| | 407 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 15 | Any elk |
| | 454, 564, 666, Elk Area 6014 | Nov. 24 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 | Any elk |
| | 448, 603, 612, 615, 638 (except for Elk Area 6064), 648 | Nov. 24 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 | 3 pt. min. |
Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons
License Required: A valid big game hunting license with an elk tag option.
Tag Required: A valid muzzleloader elk tag as listed below for the area hunted.
Hunting Method: Muzzleloader, as defined under WAC
220-414-060, or bow and arrow, as defined under WAC
220-414-070.
Special Notes: Muzzleloader tag holders can only hunt during the muzzleloader seasons. Only hunters with tags identified in the Special Elk Permits tables may apply for special elk permits.
Hunt Area | Elk Tag Area | Game Management Units (GMUs) | 2021 Dates | 2022 Dates | 2023 Dates | Legal Elk |
Early Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons |
Eastern Washington | EM | 101 through 121, 204, 247 | Oct. 2-8 | Oct. 1-7 | Oct. 7-13 | Any bull |
| | 124 through 142, 245, 250, 272, 278, 284, 290, 379 | Oct. 2-8 | Oct. 1-7 | Oct. 7-13 | Any elk |
| | 145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 172, 175, 178, 181, 336 through 342, 352 through 368 | Oct. 2-8 | Oct. 1-7 | Oct. 7-13 | Spike bull |
| | 249, 251, 328, 329, 334, 335, Elk Area 2051 | Oct. 2-8 | Oct. 1-7 | Oct. 7-13 | True spike bull |
| | Master Hunters Only: 371. Must wear hunter orange and/or hunter pink. | Aug. 1-31 | Aug. 1-31 | Aug. 1-31 | Antlerless only |
Western Washington | WM | 407, 454, 564, 666, 684 | Oct. 2-8 | Oct. 1-7 | Oct. 7-13 | Any elk |
| | 448, 460, 466, 506, 510, 513, 516, 520, 524 (except CLOSED in Elk Area 5066), 530, 550, 554, 560, 568, 572, 574, 578, 602, 603, 607, 612, 615, 624 (except for Elk Area 6071), 627, 633, 638 (except for Elk Area 6064), 642, 648, 660, 672, 673, 681 | Oct. 2-8 | Oct. 1-7 | Oct. 7-13 | 3 pt. min. |
| | 501, 503, 504, 505, 652 (except Elk Area 6013 closed to antlerless), Elk Area 6014, 654, 663, 667, Elk Area 4601 | Oct. 2-8 | Oct. 1-7 | Oct. 7-13 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
Late Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons |
Eastern Washington | EM | 130 through 142 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 25 - Dec. 8 | Any elk |
| | 203, 209 through 248, 250, 254 through 290, 373, 379, 381. Must wear hunter orange and/or hunter pink. | Oct. 30 - Nov. 15 | Oct. 29 - Nov. 15 | Oct. 28 - Nov. 15 | Any elk |
| | Master Hunters Only: Elk Areas 3911 and 3912. Must wear hunter orange and/or hunter pink. | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2022 | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2023 | Aug. 1 - Jan. 20, 2024 | Antlerless only |
| | Master Hunters Only: 127, 130 | Dec. 9-31 | Dec. 9-31 | Dec. 9-31 | Antlerless only |
Western Washington | WM | 407 | Dec. 16-31 | Dec. 16-31 | Dec. 16-31 | Any elk |
Elk Area 4601, 501, 503, 504, 505, 652 (except Elk Area 6013 closed to antlerless), 667 | Nov. 24 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 23 - Dec. 8 | Nov. 22 - Dec. 8 | 3 pt. min. or antlerless |
| | 454, 564, 666, 684, Elk Area 6014 | Nov. 24 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 | Any elk |
| | 568, 574, 578 | Nov. 24-30 | Nov. 23-30 | Nov. 22-30 | 3 pt. min. |
| | 448, 601, 618, 651, 658 | Nov. 24 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 23 - Dec. 15 | Nov. 22 - Dec. 15 | 3 pt. min. |
[Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.055, and
77.12.047. WSR 22-15-096 (Order 22-71), § 220-415-050, filed 7/19/22, effective 8/19/22. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.055,
77.12.047, and
77.12.240. WSR 21-14-022 (Order 21-61), § 220-415-050, filed 6/28/21, effective 7/29/21; WSR 20-12-080 (Order 20-76), § 220-415-050, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/2/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.013,
77.04.020,
77.04.055, and
77.12.020. WSR 19-20-078 (Order 19-245), § 220-415-050, filed 9/27/19, effective 10/28/19. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.090,
77.04.130,
77.15.568,
77.08.010,
77.65.510,
77.65.515, and
77.65.520. WSR 19-10-011 (Order 19-79), § 220-415-050, filed 4/19/19, effective 5/20/19. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.013,
77.04.020,
77.04.055,
77.12.020,
77.12.040,
77.12.047,
77.12.150,
77.12.210,
77.12.240,
77.12.320,
77.12.570,
77.12.800,
77.15.245,
77.32.007,
77.32.050,
77.32.070,
77.32.090,
77.32.370, and
77.32.530. WSR 18-11-061 (Order 18-76), § 220-415-050, filed 5/11/18, effective 6/11/18. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.020,
77.04.055,
77.12.047,
77.12.150,
77.12.240,
77.12.800,
77.32.090. WSR 17-10-076 (Order 17-10), amended and recodified as § 220-415-050, filed 5/3/17, effective 6/3/17. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.020,
77.04.055,
77.12.047,
77.12.150,
77.12.240,
77.12.800,
77.32.090, and
77.32.155. WSR 16-12-087, § 232-28-358, filed 5/31/16, effective 7/1/16. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.055,
77.12.047,
77.12.150, and
77.12.240. WSR 15-10-059 (Order 15-98), § 232-28-358, filed 4/30/15, effective 5/31/15. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047,
77.12.240, and
77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-28-358, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14; WSR 13-11-078 (Order 13-94), § 232-28-358, filed 5/16/13, effective 6/16/13. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-28-358, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12.]
