A valid small game license is required to hunt all species listed below, except forest grouse, coyote, and crow may be hunted with a valid big game or small game license. Hunters must comply with official established hunting hours for each species and the provisions of this section. Failure to comply with this section constitutes a violation of RCW
77.15.245,
77.15.400, or
77.15.430, depending on the species hunted and the circumstances of the violation.
SMALL GAME AND OTHER ANIMAL SEASONS
(1) LEGAL HUNTER: Open to all hunters with a valid license.
Species | Area | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit | Restrictions |
Bobcat | Statewide | Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 | No limit. | No limit. | It is unlawful to hunt bobcat with dogs. Night hunting for bobcat is prohibited in GMUs that fall within the lynx management zones identified by the department. |
Raccoon | Statewide | Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 | No limit. | No limit. | |
Fox | Statewide, EXCEPT closed within the exterior boundaries of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. | Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 | No limit. | No limit. | |
Coyote | Statewide | Year-round | No limit. | No limit. | It is unlawful to hunt coyote with dogs. |
Cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare | Statewide | Sept. 1 - Mar. 15 | 5 cottontails or snowshoe hares, straight or mixed bag. | 15 cottontails or snowshoe hares, straight or mixed bag. | |
Jackrabbit | Closed statewide |
UPLAND BIRD SEASONS
(2) YOUTH SEASON DATES: Open only to youth hunters accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
Species | 2021-22 Dates | 2022-23 Dates | 2023-24 Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Eastern Washington: |
Ring-necked pheasant | Sept. 18-19 | Sept. 17-18 | Sept. 16-17 | 3 cock pheasants | 6 cock pheasants |
Chukar | Sept. 18-19 | Sept. 17-18 | Sept. 16-17 | 6 chukar | 12 chukar |
Gray (Hungarian) partridge | Sept. 18-19 | Sept. 17-18 | Sept. 16-17 | 6 gray partridges | 12 gray partridges |
California (valley) quail and northern bobwhite | Sept. 18-19 | Sept. 17-18 | Sept. 16-17 | 10 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite, straight or mixed bag. | 20 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite, straight or mixed bag. |
Western Washington: |
Ring-necked pheasant | Sept. 18-19 | Sept. 17-18 | Sept. 16-17 | 2 pheasants of either sex | 4 pheasants of either sex |
(3) HUNTERS SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND HUNTERS WITH DISABILITIES SEASON DATES:
Species | 2021-22 Dates | 2022-23 Dates | 2023-24 Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Eastern Washington: |
Ring-necked pheasant | Sept. 20-24 | Sept. 19-23 | Sept. 18-22 | 3 cock pheasants | 15 cock pheasants |
Western Washington: |
Ring-necked pheasant | Sept. 20-24 | Sept. 19-23 | Sept. 18-22 | 2 pheasants of either sex | 10 pheasants of either sex |
(4) REGULAR SEASON DATES: Western Washington ring-necked pheasant hunting hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Species | 2021-22 Dates | 2022-23 Dates | 2023-24 Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Eastern Washington: |
Ring-necked pheasant | Oct. 23 - Jan. 17 | Oct. 22 - Jan. 16 | Oct. 21 - Jan. 15 | 3 cock pheasants | 15 cock pheasants |
Chukar | Oct. 2 - Jan. 31 | Oct. 1 - Jan. 31 | Oct. 7 - Jan. 31 | 6 chukar | 18 chukar |
Gray (Hungarian) partridge | Oct. 2 - Jan. 17 | Oct. 1 - Jan. 16 | Oct. 7 - Jan. 15 | 6 gray partridges | 18 gray partridges |
California (valley) quail and northern bobwhite | Oct. 2 - Jan. 17 | Oct. 1 - Jan. 16 | Oct. 7 - Jan. 15 | 10 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite, straight or mixed bag. | 30 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite, straight or mixed bag. |
Mountain quail | Closed throughout Eastern Washington |
Western Washington: |
Ring-necked pheasant (see subsection (4) of this section) | Sept. 25 - Nov. 30 | Sept. 24 - Nov. 30 | Sept. 23 - Nov. 30 | 2 pheasants of either sex | 15 pheasants of either sex |
California (valley) quail and northern bobwhite | Sept. 25 - Nov. 30 | Sept. 24 - Nov. 30 | Sept. 23 - Nov. 30 | 10 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite, straight or mixed bag. | 30 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite, straight or mixed bag. |
Mountain quail | Sept. 25 - Nov. 30 | Sept. 24 - Nov. 30 | Sept. 23 - Nov. 30 | 2 mountain quail | 4 mountain quail |
(5) EXTENDED WESTERN WASHINGTON PHEASANT SEASON:
(a) Hunting hours and locations: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only at the following release sites: Belfair, Mason Lake, JBLM, Kosmos, Lincoln Creek, Scatter Creek, Skookumchuck, and all Whidbey Island.
(b) The department may not release pheasants during the extended season.
Species | 2021-22 Dates | 2022-23 Dates | 2023-24 Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Western Washington: |
Ring-necked pheasant (see subsection (5)(a) of this section) | Dec. 1-15 | Dec. 1-15 | Dec. 1-15 | 2 pheasants of either sex | 15 pheasants of either sex |
(6) SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON PHEASANT HUNTERS:
(a) Western Washington pheasant hunters must choose to hunt only on odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at all units of Lake Terrell, Tennant Lake, Snoqualmie, Skookumchuck, and Scatter Creek Wildlife Areas, and all hunting sites on Whidbey Island.
(b) Hunters must indicate their choice of odd-numbered or even-numbered weekend days on the Western Washington Pheasant Permit by choosing "odd" or "even."
(c) Hunters who select the three-day option, hunters possessing a valid disabled hunter permit, hunters 65 years of age or older, and youth hunters may hunt in the morning on both odd-numbered and even-numbered weekend days.
(d) Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older, and the adult must have an appropriately marked pheasant permit if hunting.
WILD TURKEY SEASONS
(7) TURKEY SPRING SEASONS:
(a) LEGAL HUNTER: Open to all hunters with a valid turkey tag, EXCEPT youth dates are open only to youth hunters accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
(b) HUNTING METHOD RESTRICTION: It is unlawful to hunt turkeys with rifles during the spring season.
Hunter | Area | 2021-22 Dates | 2022-23 Dates | 2023-24 Dates | 2024-25 Dates | Bag Limit | Legal Bird |
Youth | Statewide | April 3-4, 2021 | April 1-7, 2022 | April 1-7, 2023 | April 1-7, 2024 | The combined spring/youth season limit is 3 birds. Only 2 turkeys may be killed in Eastern Washington, except 3 may be killed in Spokane County and only 1 may be killed in Kittitas or Yakima counties. One turkey may be killed per year in Western Washington outside of Klickitat County. Two turkeys may be killed in Klickitat County. | Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only. |
Any | Statewide | April 15 - May 31 | April 15 - May 31 | April 15 - May 31 | April 15 - May 31 |
(8) FALL TURKEY GENERAL SEASONS:
(a) LEGAL HUNTER: Open to all hunters with a valid turkey tag.
(b) HUNTING METHOD RESTRICTION: It is unlawful to hunt turkeys with rifles during the fall season.
Game Management Unit (GMU) | 2021 Dates | 2022 Dates | 2023 Dates | Legal Bird and Limit |
101-154 and 162-186 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | 4 turkeys during the fall general season with the following area restrictions: | 2 beardless plus 2 either sex turkey |
382, 388, 568-578 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | 1 either sex turkey |
203-290 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | 1 either sex turkey |
(9) FALL TURKEY PERMIT SEASONS:
(a) LEGAL HUNTER: All hunters who are selected in the fall turkey special permit drawing and who also possess a valid turkey tag.
Hunt Name | Boundary Description | Permit Season Dates | Legal Bird | Bag Limit* | Permits |
Teanaway | GMU 335 | Nov. 15 - Dec. 15, 2021, 2022, 2023 | Either sex | 1 | 50 |
*BAG LIMIT: During the fall permit hunting seasons.
(10) HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR INCENTIVE TURKEY PERMITS:
(a) LEGAL BIRD: Male turkeys and turkeys with visible beards only.
(b) LEGAL HUNTER: Qualified hunter education instructors who are selected through a random drawing. Hunter education instructors qualify if the instructor is certified and has been in active status for a minimum of 3 consecutive years, inclusive of the year prior to the permit drawing.
(c) OPEN AREA: Statewide.
(d) SEASON DATES: April 1 - May 31 during the current license year.
(e) PERMITS: 4 individuals will be drawn for this permit per year.
(f) BAG LIMIT: 1 male turkey or turkey with visible beard in addition to other spring season turkey harvest.
(11) OFFICIAL HUNTING HOURS FOR WILD TURKEY: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset during spring and fall seasons.
(12) SPECIAL RULES FOR WILD TURKEY:
(a) It is unlawful to hunt turkey unless the hunter possesses a valid turkey tag.
(b) It is unlawful to hunt turkeys with dogs.
(c) It is unlawful to bait game birds.
OTHER BIRD SEASONS
(13) LEGAL HUNTER: Open to all hunters with a valid license.
Species | Area | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Forest Grouse (Dusky, Sooty, Ruffed, and Spruce) | Statewide | Sept. 15 - Jan. 15 | 4 grouse per day, to include not more than 3 Dusky or Sooty Grouse (combined), 3 Spruce Grouse, and 3 Ruffed Grouse. | 12 grouse, to include not more than 9 Dusky or Sooty Grouse (combined), 9 Spruce Grouse, and 9 Ruffed Grouse. |
Crow | Statewide | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 | No limit. | No limit. |
Ptarmigan, Sage, and Sharp-tailed Grouse | Closed statewide |
FALCONRY SEASONS
(14) UPLAND GAME BIRD AND FOREST GROUSE - FALCONRY:
(a) Hunters must have a valid license for the species being hunted and a valid falconer's permit.
(b) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS:
(i) 2 pheasants (either sex);
(ii) 6 partridge;
(iii) 5 California (valley) quail or northern bobwhite;
(iv) 2 mountain quail (in Western Washington only);
(v) 3 forest grouse (dusky, sooty, ruffed, spruce) per day; and
(vi) Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
(c) OPEN AREA: Statewide.
(d) SEASON DATES: Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 during the current license year.
(15) TURKEY - FALCONRY:
(a) A turkey tag is required to hunt turkey during the turkey falconry season.
(b) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: One (1) turkey (either sex) per turkey tag, with a maximum of 2 turkeys. Hunters may possess up to 2 turkeys at any one time.
(c) OPEN AREA: Eastern Washington.
(d) SEASON DATES: Sept. 1 - Feb. 15 during the current license year.
(16) COTTONTAIL RABBIT AND SNOWSHOE HARE - FALCONRY:
(a) BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS: 5 cottontails or snowshoe hares per day, straight or mixed bag. Hunters may possess up to 15 cottontails or snowshoe hares at any one time, straight or mixed bag.
(b) OPEN AREA: Statewide.
(c) SEASON DATES: Aug. 1 - Mar. 15 during the current license year.
OTHER SEASONS
(17) BIRD DOG TRAINING SEASON:
(a) Wild upland game birds may be pursued during the dog-training season but may not be killed except during established hunting seasons. A small game license is required to train dogs on wild game birds. A Western Washington Pheasant Permit is required to train dogs on pheasants in Western Washington. Captive raised game birds may be released and killed during dog training if the hunter has proof of lawful acquisition (invoices) and the birds are appropriately marked (WAC
220-450-010 and
220-416-110).
(b) OPEN AREA: Statewide.
(c) SEASON DATES: Aug. 1 - Mar. 31 during the current license year.
(d) Only youth and seniors may train dogs during their respective seasons on designated Western Washington pheasant release sites.
(e) Bird dog training may be conducted year round on areas posted for bird dog training on portions of:
(i) Region One - Espanola (T24N, R40E, E 1/2 of section 16);
(ii) Region Two - Martha Lake Access Area (170 acres): One mile northeast of the town of George, southeast of the South Frontage Road along Interstate 90 and north of Baseline Road.
(iii) Region Three - Wenas Wildlife Area;
(iv) Region Four - Skagit Wildlife Area, Lake Terrell Wildlife Area, and Snoqualmie Wildlife Area;
(v) Region Five - Shillapoo/Vancouver Lake Wildlife Area;
(vi) Region Six - Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, Fort Lewis Military Base.
(18) YAKAMA INDIAN RESERVATION:
The 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 upland bird seasons within the Yakama Indian Reservation are the same as the season established by the Yakama Indian Nation.
(19) COLVILLE INDIAN RESERVATION:
The 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 upland bird seasons within the Colville Indian Reservation are the same as the season established by the Colville Indian Tribe.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
77.04.012,
77.04.055,
77.12.047, and
77.12.240. WSR 21-14-022 (Order 21-61), § 220-416-010, filed 6/28/21, effective 7/29/21; WSR 20-12-080 (Order 20-76), § 220-416-010, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/2/20. 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), § 220-416-010, 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 § 220-416-010, 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, § 232-28-342, 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 15-10-033 (Order 15-95), § 232-28-342, filed 4/28/15, effective 5/29/15. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047,
77.12.240, and
77.32.070. WSR 14-10-019 (Order 14-95), § 232-28-342, filed 4/25/14, effective 5/26/14; WSR 13-11-078 (Order 13-94), § 232-28-342, filed 5/16/13, effective 6/16/13. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047. WSR 12-11-005 (Order 12-70), § 232-28-342, filed 5/2/12, effective 6/2/12. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047,
77.12.020,
77.12.570,
77.12.210,
77.12.150,
77.12.240,
77.32.070,
77.32.530. WSR 10-10-061 (Order 10-94), § 232-28-342, filed 4/30/10, effective 5/31/10. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047,
77.12.020,
77.12.570,
77.12.210,
77.12.150,
77.12.240. WSR 09-09-083 (Order 09-53), § 232-28-342, filed 4/15/09, effective 5/16/09. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047,
77.12.020,
77.12.570,
77.12.210. WSR 08-09-090 (Order 08-78), § 232-28-342, filed 4/18/08, effective 5/19/08. Statutory Authority: RCW
77.12.047. WSR 06-11-031 (Order 06-91), § 232-28-342, filed 5/8/06, effective 6/8/06.]
