Elevate your hunting this year with WDFW
Read on for monthly look at seasons and planning resources
Though the new year is young, it’s never too early to start thinking of the hunts ahead, so WDFW put together this monthly calendar of upcoming hunting seasons. Have a look to help your hunt planning, daydreaming, and maybe find a new adventure to try this year!
(Exact dates aren’t used here because season-setting is an ongoing process at this time. See regulation pamphlets later this year for specific dates and details on youth, veterans, and active military hunts.)
| Month | What’s in season |
|---|---|
| January | Elk; cougar; pheasant, quail, chukar, and gray partridge (Eastern Washington); duck; coot; snipe; goose; bobcat; fox; raccoon; rabbit/hare; coyote; furbearer trapping |
| February | Cougar; duck, goose, and coot (youth, veterans, active military); bobcat; fox; raccoon; rabbit/hare; coyote; furbearer trapping |
| March | Cougar, goose, bobcat, fox, raccoon, rabbit/hare, coyote, furbearer trapping |
| April | Cougar, turkey, coyote |
| May | Turkey, coyote |
| June | Coyote |
| July | Coyote |
| August | Elk, bear, coyote |
| September | Deer; elk; bear; cougar; turkey; pheasant; forest grouse; quail; mountain quail (Western Washington); duck and coot (Western Washington youth); goose; band-tailed pigeon; mourning dove; bobcat; fox; raccoon; rabbit/hare; crow; coyote |
| October | Deer; elk; bear; cougar; turkey; pheasant; forest grouse; quail; chukar and gray partridge (Eastern Washington); mountain quail (Western Washington); duck and coot (Eastern Washington youth and statewide); snipe; goose; mourning dove; bobcat; fox; raccoon; rabbit/hare; crow; coyote |
| November | Deer; elk; bear; cougar; turkey; pheasant; forest grouse; quail; chukar and gray partridge (Eastern Washington); mountain quail (Western Washington); duck; coot; snipe; goose; bobcat; fox; raccoon; rabbit/hare; crow; coyote; furbearer trapping |
| December | Deer; elk; cougar; turkey; quail, chukar, and gray partridge (Eastern Washington); pheasant; forest grouse; duck; coot; snipe; goose; bobcat; fox; raccoon; rabbit/hare; crow; coyote; furbearer trapping |
The more you know
As you think about what hunts to undertake this year, remember that WDFW has plenty of information on how and where to get out there:
- Places to hunt: Information here includes the private lands access program, hunting prospects, and WDFW wildlife areas.
- Hunting education and requirements: Visit here for hunting clinic instructional booklets, tips on preparing for hunting seasons, and information on safe handling of game meat.
- Much more: Go to wdfw.wa.gov/hunting, and wdfw.medium.com to find even more hunting tips and tricks.
Licenses
If you haven’t already, you can buy your license today by calling 360-902-2464, visiting mywdfw.com, or going to a license dealer near you. Go to wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/dealers to find your nearest license dealer.
Responsible recreation
When scouting and hunting, please recreate responsibly amid the coronavirus pandemic by following social distancing guidelines from state and local health authorities.
Kelly Riordan and Abbey Ryle walk out for a spring turkey hunt. (Tom Ryle/WDFW)
