Let's be real - figuring out washington hunting season details feels like trying to track an elk through thick brush sometimes. I remember my first season here back in 2018, staring at the regulations pamphlet with total confusion. Which permit do I need for deer? When does turkey season actually open? Are there any leftover tags? It was overwhelming.
After six seasons hunting everything from Roosevelt elk in the rainforest to pheasants in the scrublands, I've learned the hard way what matters. This guide cuts through the bureaucracy to give you the practical, boots-on-the-ground info for washington hunting season 2024. No fluff, just what you need to know before heading into the woods.
Pro Tip: Bookmark the WDFW emergency rule page. Last November, they suddenly shortened elk season in GMU 124 due to low counts. My buddy almost got fined because he missed the update.
What's Changing for Washington Hunting Season 2024
WDFW dropped their final rule changes in May, and hunters need to pay attention to these three big shifts:
- New Elk Tag System: They're testing a point-based draw for 8 elk units. Honestly? I'm skeptical. The old lottery wasn't perfect but this feels like more bureaucracy.
- Expanded Bear Dates: Good news - black bear season now runs August 1-December 31 in most zones. Last fall I took a 350-pounder near Cle Elum on October 15th - prime feeding time.
- Turkey Permit Requirement: Starting this year, you need a special tag for spring turkey. Cost me $20 extra during the April season near Dayton this year.
Major Dates You Can't Miss
These dates burned me my first season when I showed up a week early for deer:
| Species | General Season Opening | Closing Date | Hotspot GMUs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer (Modern Firearm) | October 14 | October 31 | GMU 101 (Lincoln), GMU 204 (Methow) |
| Elk (Modern Firearm) | November 4 | November 15 | GMU 654 (Winston), GMU 667 (Coweeman) |
| Black Bear | August 1 | December 31 | GMU 418 (Alpine Lakes), GMU 578 (Lewis River) |
| Pheasant | October 21 | November 30 | Columbia Basin Wildlife Areas |
| Spring Turkey | April 15 | May 31 | GMU 105 (Dayton), GMU 121 (Prescott) |
License and Tag Breakdown
Washington's licensing system confuses everyone initially. Here's what you actually need:
- Basic Hunting License: $55.90 for residents (valid April 1-March 31)
- Deer Tag: $43.50 (includes transport tag)
- Elk Tag: $55.30 (quality permits cost extra)
- Upland Bird Permit: $20.25 (required for pheasant/chukar)
Watch Out: The "transport tag" isn't separate anymore. It's printed right on your license now. Game wardens wrote 127 citations last year for hunters who didn't realize this.
Drawing Odds for Limited Hunts
Want a prime elk tag? Here's the harsh reality based on last year's draw statistics:
| Hunt Permit | Applicants | Permits Issued | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk - GMU 124 (Quality Bull) | 4,217 | 28 | 0.66% |
| Deer - GMU 290 (Buck) | 3,885 | 45 | 1.16% |
| Moose - Selkirk | 11,302 | 12 | 0.11% |
My strategy? Apply for second-choice units like GMU 218 (Marengo) where success rates jump to 18%. You might not bag a trophy, but you'll actually hunt.
Prime Public Hunting Lands
After hunting 22 public areas statewide, these spots deliver consistently without requiring a second mortgage:
| Location | Species | Access Notes | Camping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colockum WA (GMU 328) | Elk, Deer | Requires Discover Pass ($35/year) | Dispersed camping allowed |
| Quilomene WA (GMU 329) | Deer, Chukar | Rough roads - high clearance needed | No facilities |
| Lincoln Creek Unit (GMU 501) | Blacktail Deer | Gate closures after heavy rain | Designated sites near Chehalis |
| Sunnyside-Snake River (GMU 372) | Pheasant, Duck | Check-in stations required | No overnight camping |
Last October, I hunted the Colockum during modern rifle deer season. Camped near Whiskey Dick Mountain (yes, real name) and saw 17 deer in three days. Road 71 gets packed though - arrive early.
Gear That Actually Works Here
Forget fancy catalogs. After testing gear in our notorious sideways rain:
- Rain Gear: Sitka Cloudburst jacket ($499) - worth every penny when the Coast Range drizzle sets in
- Boots: Kenetrek Mountain Extreme ($399) - handled the Pasayten Wilderness scree fields without blowing out
- Pack: Mystery Ranch Metcalf ($579) - hauled 85lbs of elk meat 3 miles last season
- Budget Alternative: Cabela's MT050 rain gear ($249 set) actually surprised me in Willapa Hills last November
Personal rant: I bought "waterproof" gloves from a big brand last year. They soaked through in 90 minutes near Forks. Now I carry two pairs of Kinco work gloves ($22) coated with Sno-Seal. Never fails.
Regulations That'll Trip You Up
Game wardens don't accept "I didn't know" excuses. Memorize these:
- Transport Rules: Quartered game must have visible sex organs attached until processing
- Tagging: Immediately notch date and attach to carcass before moving animal
- Electronic Calls: Legal for predators (coyotes) but illegal for elk and deer
- Lead Ammo Ban: Required on all WDFW wildlife areas since 2023
Survival Essentials Checklist
Eastern Washington deserts and coastal rainforests kill unprepared hunters. My pack always has:
- SOL emergency bivvy ($25)
- Garmin inReach Mini ($350 - worth the subscription)
- Water purification tablets ($15)
- Firestarter (cotton balls dipped in wax)
- Topographic map and compass (don't rely on phones)
Remember that hunter who got lost near Mount Adams for four days last October? His phone died hour one. Don't be that guy.
Planning Timeline
Successful washington hunting seasons happen months before opening day:
| Timeline | Critical Actions | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| February-March | Apply for special permits (deadline March 31) | $7.10 per application |
| April-May | Scout turkey areas; check winter kill reports | Fuel costs |
| July-August | Bear season opens; pattern game cameras | Tag: $53.80 |
| September | Archery seasons; finalize camp locations | Processing deposits ($150/animal) |
Washington Hunting Season FAQs
Can non-residents hunt during washington hunting season?
Absolutely, but brace yourself - licenses cost more. Non-resident deer tag is $463.50 versus $43.50 for residents. You still follow the same seasons though.
What's the best unit for beginner deer hunters?
GMU 136 (Teanaway). Public land access is decent, terrain isn't brutal, and success rates hover around 22%. My nephew got his first buck there last season after only two days.
Are there any mentored hunts in Washington?
The WDFW "Hunters of Color" and "Women's Workshops" programs are fantastic. They paired my wife with an elk-hunting mentor near Mount St. Helens - completely free. Applications open each spring.
Can I use a rifle during modern firearm season?
Yes, but caliber restrictions apply. No rimfire rifles for big game. Shotguns must be 20-gauge or larger using slugs. Check the regulations - GMU-specific rules exist like the shotgun-only areas near Cle Elum.
How do I report my harvest?
Mandatory within 24 hours for deer/elk/bear. Call 877-945-3492 or report online. They fined my neighbor $186 for late reporting last November.
Closing Thoughts
Washington hunting season offers incredible diversity - from chasing blacktails in dripping ferns to spot-and-stalk mule deer in sagebrush. But here's the ugly truth: pressure increases every year. My secret? Hunt mid-week if possible. That ridge that had 12 trucks on Saturday? Empty come Tuesday.
Final tip: Get the WDFW GoHunt map app ($10/year). Last season it saved me a 45-minute drive to a gated road near Rimrock Lake. Worth every cent for current land ownership layers.
Stay safe out there - and may your pack be heavy this washington hunting season.
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