Field Guide / State Hunting Guide
The Guide to Washington Hunting Seasons 2026
Hunting in Washington depends on the animal and the weapon you use, with primary general seasons spanning from September through November for big game and extending into March for specific small game and cougar. Check the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife for official guides.
Whether you're most excited about the Washington State deer hunting season or you have your eyes on other big game, like elk, moose, or mountain goats, you'll find plenty to keep you busy when you plan a hunt in this state.
As you think about the upcoming hunting seasons, let us help you prepare! We’ve got the information you need for season dates, bag limits, and more. We'll also help you find and mark the best spots to hunt before you head out for your hunt so you can improve your chances of tagging out this season.
Updated August 3, 2026
When Can I Hunt in Washington?
Let's look at season dates by species. Note that the information we provide is the latest from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). As new information for the upcoming season becomes available, we'll update it here accordingly.
We also always recommend checking the latest season dates for big game and all other species using official state resources before finalizing plans for your hunt.
Washington Hunting Season Dates | |
| ElkModern Firearm General Elk Seasons
Archery General Elk Seasons
Muzzleloader General Elk Seasons
|
Black Bear (Fall Season)
| CougarThe General Season dates are September 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027 or whenever the cap is reached. |
Moose (Special Permit Only)Apply for a moose permit from mid-April through late May. Open season dates from October 1 through November 30, with variations based on GMUs. | Mountain Goat (Special Permit Only)The dates to apply for a mountain goat hunting permit are also mid-April through late May. Season dates run from September 1 through November 30, with variations based on GMUs. |
Bighorn Sheep (Special Permit Only)The dates to apply for a bighorn sheep hunting permit are also mid-April through late May. Open season dates range from September 15 through November 15, 2026, based on GMUs. | Turkey
|
Migratory BirdsConfirm Washington State duck hunting and waterfowl season dates through official resources as you plan your hunt.
| Small Game
|
Upland Game
| |
For additional details about hunting season specifics for the game animals listed above (and those not listed in this guide, visit the WDFW website.
What are the Bag Limits for Washington State Hunting Seasons?
How many black-tailed deer or cougars can you bring home this season? To comply with hunting regulations in Washington, make sure you know the bag limits for every animal you plan to hunt.
Washington State Hunting Season Bag Limits | |||
| Deer | 1 deer per hunter per season (except for special permits) | Coot | 25 per day (25 in possession) |
| Elk | 1 elk per season per hunter (with exceptions for Master Hunters), 2 elk per license year. | Goose | 4 or 10 per day and 4 or 10 in possession, depending on the type of geese White-fronted geese: 6 per day. |
| Black Bear | 2 per license year | Brant | 6 per day (2 or 6 in possession, depending on where you hunt) |
| Cougar | 1 per license year | Turkey | Ranging between 2 bearded and 1-2 any sex, depending on when and where you hunt |
| Moose | 1 per permitted hunter | Most Small Game | No bag limit (except cottontail and snowshoe hare, 5 per day mixed bag, 15 in possession mixed bag) |
| Mountain Goat | 1 adult goat of either sex with horns 4 inches or longer | Band-Tailed Pigeon | 2 per day (6 in possession) |
| Bighorn Sheep | 1 sheep per permitted hunter (unless otherwise noted) | Mourning Dove | 15 per day (45 in possession) |
| Duck | 7 per day (7 or 21 in possession based on hunting areas) | Forest Grouse | 4 per day (12 in possession) |
| Pheasant | Westeran Washingtion: 2 either sex per day (4 either sex in possession) Eastern Wasahington: 3 cocks only per day (6 cocks in possession, youth; 15 cocks in possession, all other hunters) | California Quail and Northern Bobwhite | 10 per day, mixed bag (20 or 30 in possession mixed bag) |
| Gray Partridge | 6 either sex per day (12 in possession, youth; 18 in possession, all other hunters)
| Mountain Quail | 2 either sex per day (4 either sex in possession) |
| Chukar | 6 either sex per day (12 in possession, youth; 18 in possession, all other hunters) | Crow | No limit |
For more details on bag limits, visit the WDFW website.
What Do I Need to Know About the Washington Hunters License?
All hunters born after January 1, 1972, must pass a hunter education course before getting a Washington hunters license. Depending on what you plan to hunt, you'll need a big game license or a small game license. You may also need special permits for animals that can only be hunted with the right permits.
Make sure you also have the right tags or stamps to hunt the game you're after throughout each season.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Washington State?
Big game is the big draw for hunters in Washington or those planning a big hunting trip to the state. If you're looking for bighorn sheep, Roosevelt or Rocky Mountain elk, and yes, moose and cougars, this is the place to hunt.
However, many hunters also love the abundance and variety of waterfowl to hunt in the state.
Hunters also love the physical challenge of trekking through the varying terrain, including rainforests, beaches, forests, and hills. It's
Where Should I Hunt?
What you hunt determines where you hunt, and the terrain and climate could be vastly different, whether you're on the east or the west side of the state.
Washington State also offers wildlife areas and federal, state, military, tribal, and private lands for hunting — and it's important to follow the specific rules of each hunting area to ensure ethical and legal hunts.
As you plan your hunts, HuntWise can help you target (and mark) the best hunting areas so you can think ahead to what you'll need before you arrive. Use HuntWise maps and layers, plus animal movement predictors, to scout and plan the best times for your hunt.
What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?
You'll need the right gear!
From clothing (including layers) to optics and odor control, HuntWise users can save hundreds on gear from our partners. Make sure you have everything you need in the field to tag out, including a good pair of binoculars, a hunting knife, the right saddle, and a spotting scope for glassing big game.
HuntWise Helps You Tag Out for the Washington State Hunting Seasons
We hope the dates and details we shared in this guide help you plan a successful hunt for the Washington State hunting seasons this year!
What else do you need for a successful hunt? The HuntWise hunting app! HuntWise is the best tool for planning your hunt around real-time weather and animal movement. You'll also be able to plan your hunt using detailed maps and LiDAR map layer, which helps you view the terrain with high resolution and accuracy. Place unique markers to identify animal activity, landmarks, infrastructures, and more.
HuntWise is the best tool for e-scouting public or private hunting land! It's the ideal hunting app for all hunters of any skill level. Plus, Elite subscribers can save up to 40% on gear from our partners.
Download the app and start your free trial now!
Explore Pro and Elite features free for a week, and you'll be ready to hunt when the season opens.
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