2025 Washington State Hunting Season Dates
Pack your hunting tents and gear – we’re heading to the Evergreen State for hunting season! (In this article, at least). And Washington State will not disappoint.
Washington offers a diverse landscape and a range of hunting options every kind of hunter can appreciate. From the coastal rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, where Roosevelt elk and black bear roam, to the Northern Cascades, including Mount Rainier, which hosts mule deer and mountain goat, there is plenty of big game to hunt. Not to mention turkey, waterfowl, and other birds too.
So if a hunting trip to Washington State sounds enticing (or if it’s your backyard), here is a breakdown of the 2025 hunting season dates to keep an eye on (and grab those permits for).
Key Dates to Circle on Your Hunting Calendar
Mark your calendars for this year’s Washington State hunting season dates and deadlines:
General Licenses Validity: Apr. 1, 2025 - Mar. 31, 2026
Special-Permit Application Period: (DATES ALREADY PASSED!) Opened April 28, 2025, and closed May 28, 2025 – look for the general time frame next year and cross your fingers for an early June 2026 acceptance!
General Hunting Seasons of Washington (and Exact 2025 Dates)
Always be sure to check the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website for the most up-to-date information, purchase a hunting license, report your harvest, and more.
Big Game Seasons
Washington's big game hunting is a mix of general seasons (licenses available off-the-shelf) and controlled hunts (permits issued via a draw). Here’s what’s happening in 2025:
DEER SEASON (Modern Firearm)
General Season | Mid to late October
Black-tailed deer: Oct. 11 - 31
Whitetail deer: Oct. 11 - 24 or Oct. 11 - 21 (depending on GMU)
Mule deer: Oct. 11 - 21
Late General Season | Mid-November
Black-tailed deer: Nov. 13 - 16
Whitetail deer: Nov. 8 - 19
Youth General Season | Mid-October
Whitetail deer: Oct. 18 - 24 (GMU 124); Oct. 18 - 21 (GMUs 127-142)
DEER SEASON (Archery)
Early Season | Month of September (some late-Sept. extensions depending on GMU)
Black-tailed and Mule Deer: Sep. 1 - 21/26
White-tailed deer: Sept. 1 - 22/26
Mule deer: Sept. 1- 21/26
Late Season | Early November to Late December (depending on GMU)
Black-tailed deer: Nov. 26 - Dec. 15; Nov. 26 - Dec. 31
Whitetail deer: Nov. 10 - Dec. 15; Nov. 20 - Dec. 8; Nov. 15 - Dec. 15; Nov. 26 - Dec. 15
Mule deer: Nov. 21 - 30; Nov. 26 - Dec. 8; Nov. 20 - Dec. 8; Dec. 1- 8 (GMU 382)
ELK EASON (Modern Firearm)
Eastern Washington | Fall to Winter Seasons
Master Hunters Only: Aug. 1, ‘25 - Jan. 20, ‘26; Aug. 1 – 31, ‘25; Dec. 9 – 31, ‘25; Jan. 1 – 31, ‘26
Elk Area 3722: Sept. 13 – 28
Specific GMUs: Oct. 25 - Nov. 2; Oct. 25 – Nov. 15 (based on GMU and elk species)
Western Washington | Early November (Nov. 1 - 12)
ELK EASON (Archery)
Early Eastern: Aug. 1 – 31 (Master Hunters Only)
Early Eastern & Western: Sept. 6 – 18 (GMUs and type of legal elk)
Late Season:
Master Easter: Aug. 1 – Jan. 20, ‘26; Dec. 9 – 31
Eastern: Oct. 25 – Nov. 15; Nov. 20 – Dec. 8; Nov. 25 – Dec. 8; Nov. 26 – Dec. 8
Western: Nov. 26 – Dec. 15
BLACK BEAR
Black bear hunting typically occurs during the fall season. In 2025, the general season dates fall between Aug. 1 - Nov. 15. However, depending on the GMU area, you may have to wait until Aug. 15th. Spring black bear hunts are based on special permits and management needs.
COUGAR
Cougar hunting season is open Sept. 1 - Mar. 31 (or until the harvest cap is reached!)
Big Game That Requires Special Permits (With 2025 Dates)
If you have your heart set on bagging a moose, mountain goat, or bighorn, purchase and submit applications – available from Dec. 1 to mid-May – to get those special hunting permits, sometimes by drawing only. But here’s when you can go hunting:
Moose: Oct. 1 - Nov. 30
Mountain Goat: Sept. 1 - Nov. 30
Bighorn Sheep: Sept. 15 - Nov. 15
Upland Game & Wild Turkey Hunting Seasons
Participate in the Washington Slam and harvest Eastern, Merriam’s, and the Rio Grande turkey subspecies.
WILD TURKEY
Fall Season | Sept. 1 - Dec. 31; Nov. 15 - Dec. 15 (special permit)
Spring Season (PASSED!) next 2026 Spring Season | Apr. 15 - May 31 (general); Apr. 1 - 7 (youth)
UPLAND BIRDS
Grouse: Sept. 15, ‘25 - Jan. 15, ‘26
Pheasant, Quail, Partridge, etc.: Check dates for each bird and varied youth and general seasons through winter.
Waterfowl & Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons
Here are the dates for Washington State duck hunting and other migratory bird hunting.
Duck (including Coot and Snipe)
Special hunt: Sept. 20 - 27
Statewide except scaup: Oct. 11 - 19; Oct. 22, ‘25 - Jan. 25, ‘26
Scaup: Nov. 1 - Jan. 25, ‘26
Goose: Sept. 6, ‘25 - Feb. 15, ‘26 (by GMU)
Band-tailed Pigeon: Sept. 1 - Oct. 30
Small Game & Coyotes
Bobcat, Fox, Raccoon, Hares: Sept. 1, ‘25 - Mar. 15, ‘26
Coyote: Year-round hunting allowed.
Helpful Planning Tips for Washington State Hunting Season
Get Your License & Tags: Purchase the correct licenses and tags for your species and weapon type through WDFW online or at licensed vendors. And, of course, double-check any special permit requirements, deadlines, and draw dates.
Scout Your Hunting Unit: Utilize digital mapping tools or plan a preseason visit to familiarize yourself with the terrain, access points, and potential hazards.
Review Local Regulations: Each Game Management Unit (GMU) may have different rules. Check current WDFW guidelines for species-specific dates, weapon restrictions, and area access.
Prep Gear & Layers: The weather in Washington State varies and can change rapidly, so be sure to pack layered clothing, rain protection, and backup gear to stay dry and safe.
Plan for Transport & Storage: Make sure your vehicle, game bags, and tent setup are ready for rugged conditions and proper meat handling.
Ready for Evergreen State Hunting Season?
Washington State offers everything from the high, snow-covered peaks of the Glacier Peak Wilderness to the rolling hills and sagebrush plains of Hanford Reach. So needless to say, but worth a reminder: It’s crucial to plan appropriately for the region you’ll be hunting in and invest in a proper hunting tent to create basecamp and claim your corner.
And if you're headed to Washington and want to visit nearby states, check if any hunting seasons in Oregon align with your trip.