Washington Administrative Code › Title 220 - Fish and Wildlife, Department of › WILDLIFE › Chapter 220-415 - Wildlife-Hunting-Big game › Section 220-415-020 - 2024-2026 Deer general seasons and definitions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
It is unlawful to fail to comply with the bag, possession,
				  and season limits described below. Violations of this section are punishable
				  under RCW  77.15.410 Unlawful hunting of big game-Penalty.
Bag Limit:
One (1) deer per hunter during the
				  license year except where otherwise permitted by department rule.
Hunting Method:
Hunters must select one of the
				  hunting methods: Modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader.
Any Buck Deer Seasons:
Open only to the taking
				  of deer with visible antlers (buck fawns illegal).
Antler Point:
To qualify as an antler point, the
				  point must be at least one inch long, measured on the longest side.
Antler Restrictions:
APPLIES TO ALL HUNTERS
				  DURING ANY GENERAL SEASON AND DESIGNATED SPECIAL PERMIT SEASONS. Buck deer
				  taken in antler restricted game management units (GMUs) must meet minimum
				  antler point requirements. Minimum antler point requirements are antler points
				  on one side only. Eye guards are antler points when they are at least one inch
				  long.
3-point Minimum GMUs:
All mule deer in 100, 200,
				  and 300 series GMUs; white-tailed deer in GMUs 127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142,
				  145, 149, 154, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172, 175, 178, 181, 186, and black-tailed
				  deer in GMU 578.
Permit-only Units:
The following GMUs require a
				  special permit to hunt deer: 290 (Desert), 329 (Quilomene), 371 (Alkali), and
				  485 (Green River).
GMUs Closed to Deer Hunting:
157 (Mill Creek
				  Watershed), 490 (Cedar River) and 522 (Loo-wit).
Types of deer that a person may legally hunt in
				  Washington:
Black-tailed Deer:
Any member of
				  black-tailed/mule deer (species
Odo-coileus hemionus
) found
				  west of a line drawn from the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail
				  and along the Yakama Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to the
				  Klickitat River; south down Klickitat River to the Columbia River.
Mule Deer:
Any member of black-tailed/mule deer
				  (species
Odocoileus hemionus
) found east of a line drawn from
				  the Canadian border south on the Pacific Crest Trail and along the Yakama
				  Indian Reservation boundary in Yakima County to the Klickitat River; south down
				  Klickitat River to the Columbia River.
White-tailed Deer:
Any white-tailed deer (member
				  of the species
Odo-coileus virginianus
), except the Columbian
				  whitetail deer (species
Odocoileus virginianus
				  leucurus
).
MODERN FIREARM DEER SEASONS
License Required:
A valid big game hunting
				  license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required:
A valid modern firearm deer tag
				  for the area hunted.
Hunting Method:
Modern firearm deer tag hunters
				  may use rifle, handgun, shotgun, bow, crossbow, or muzzleloader, but only
				  during modern firearm seasons.
Hunt Season
2024 Dates
2025 Dates
2026 Dates
Game Management Units
								(GMUs)
Legal Deer
HIGH BUCK HUNTS
Sept. 15-25
Sept. 15-25
Sept. 15-25
Alpine Lakes, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Pasayten,
								Olympic Peninsula, and Henry Jackson Wilderness Areas and Lake Chelan
								Recreation Area
3 pt. min.
GENERAL SEASON
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer
Oct. 12-25
Oct. 11-24
Oct. 17-30
101, 105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121,
								124
Any buck
Oct. 12-22
Oct. 11-21
Oct. 17-27
203 through 284
Any buck
Oct. 12-22
Oct. 11-21
Oct. 17-27
127 through 154, 162 through 186
3 pt. min.
Oct. 12-22
Oct. 11-21
Oct. 17-27
373, 379, 381
Any deer
Eastern Washington Mule Deer
Oct. 12-22
Oct. 11-21
Oct. 17-27
101 through 154, 162 through 186, 203 through 284,
								328, 330 through 368, 372, 373, 379, 381, 382, 388
3 pt. min.
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer
Oct. 12-31
Oct. 11-31
Oct. 17 - Nov. 1
407, 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 454, 460, 466, 501
								through 520, 524 through 556, 560, 568, 572, 574, 601 through 621, 624 (except
								Deer Area 6020), 627 through 654, 658 through 699
Any buck
410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420,
								421, 422, 423, 424, 564, 655, Deer Area 6020
Any deer
Oct. 12-31
Oct. 11-31
Oct. 17 - Nov. 1
578
3 pt. min
LATE GENERAL SEASON
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer
Nov. 14-17
Nov. 13-16
Nov. 19-22
407, 454, 466, 501 through 520, 524 through 560,
								568, 572, 601 through 621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 627 through 654, 658
								through 699
Any buck
Nov. 14-17
Nov. 13-16
Nov. 19-22
410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420,
								421, 422, 423, 424, 564, 655, Deer Area 6020
Any deer
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer
Nov. 9-19
Nov. 8-19
Nov. 7-19
105, 108, 111, 113, 117, 121, 124
Any buck
YOUTH GENERAL SEASONS
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer
Oct. 19-25
Oct. 25-31
Oct. 24-30
124
Any deer
Oct. 19-22
Oct. 25-28
Oct. 24-27
127 through 142
3 pt. min. or antlerless
ARCHERY DEER SEASONS
License Required:
A valid big game hunting
				  license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required:
A valid archery deer tag for the
				  area hunted.
Special Notes:
Archery tag holders can only
				  hunt during archery seasons with archery equipment (WAC 220-414-070).
Hunt Area
2024 Dates
2025 Dates
2026 Dates
Game Management Units
								(GMUs)
Legal Deer
EARLY ARCHERY GENERAL DEER SEASONS
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer
Sept. 1-27
Sept. 1-26
Sept. 1-25
407 through 426, 437, 448, 450, 454, 466, 501, 504,
								505, 554, 564, 568, 621 through 636, 648 through 652, 654 through 673,
								684
Any deer
460, 503, 574, 601 through 618, 638, 642, 653, 681
								and 699
Any buck
578
3 pt. min.
Sept. 1-22
Sept. 1-21
Sept. 1-20
510, 513, 516, 520, 524, 530, 556
Any deer
506, 550, 560, 572
Any buck
Eastern Washington Mule Deer
Sept. 1-27
Sept. 1-26
Sept. 1-25
101 through 136, 145, 149, 166 through 175, 186,
								204 through 250,
3 pt. min.
254 through 278, 334, 382, 388
139, 142, 284, 372, 373, 379, 381, Deer Area
								3334
3 pt. min. or antlerless
Sept. 1-22
Sept. 1-21
Sept. 1-20
154, 162, 163, 178, 181, 251, 328, 335, 336, 340,
								346, 352, 356, 360, 364, 368
3 pt. min.
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer
Sept. 1-27
Sept. 1-26
Sept. 1-25
101 through 124
Any buck
Sept. 1-27
Sept. 1-26
Sept. 1-25
204 through 250, 254 through 284, 373, 379,
								381
Any deer
Sept. 1-27
Sept. 1-26
Sept. 1-25
Sept. 1-27
Sept. 1-26
Sept. 1-25
127 through 142, 145, 149,166, 169, 172, 175,
								186
3 pt. min.
Sept. 1-22
Sept. 1-22
Sept. 1-22
154, 162, 163, 178, 181
3 pt. min.
LATE ARCHERY GENERAL DEER SEASONS
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer
Nov. 27 - Dec. 15
Nov. 26 - Dec. 15
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
437, 466, 510 through 520, 524
Any deer
Nov. 27 - Dec. 15
Nov. 26 - Dec. 15
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
448, 460, 506, 530, 560, 572, 601, 603 through 618,
								638, 642, 681, and 699
Any buck
Nov. 27 - Dec. 31
Nov. 26 - Dec. 31
Nov. 25 - Dec. 31
407, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419,
								420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 454, 505, 564, 624, 627, 636, 648, 652, 654, 655, 660
								through 672
Any deer
Eastern Washington Mule Deer
Nov. 21-30
Nov. 21-30
Nov. 21-30
209, 215, 233, 243, 250
3 pt. min.
Nov. 27 - Dec. 8
Nov. 26 - Dec. 8
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
336, 342, 346, 352, 364, 388, Deer Area
								3682
3 pt. min.
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
145, 163, 178, 272, 278
3 pt. min.
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
373, Deer Area 3372
3 pt. min. or antlerless
Dec. 1-8
Dec. 1-8
Dec. 1-8
GMU 382
3 pt. min.
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer
Nov. 10 - Dec. 15
Nov. 10 - Dec. 15
Nov. 10 - Dec. 15
101
Any buck
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
105, 108, 117, 121, 124
Any buck
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
127
3 pt. min.
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
145, 163, 178, 272, 278
3 pt. min.
Nov. 27 - Dec. 15
Nov. 26 - Dec. 15
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
204, 209, 215, 233, 243
Any deer
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
373
Any deer
MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASONS
License Required:
A valid big game hunting
				  license, which includes a deer species option.
Tag Required:
A valid muzzleloader deer tag for
				  the area hunted.
Hunting Method:
Muzzleloader as defined under
				  WAC 220-414-060, crossbow equipment as defined under WAC 220-414-100, or
				  archery equipment as defined under WAC 220-414-070.
Special Notes:
Muzzleloader tag holders can only
				  hunt during muzzle-loader seasons.
Hunt Area
2024 Dates
2025 Dates
2026 Dates
Game Management Units
								(GMUs)
Legal Deer
High Buck Hunts
Sept. 15-25
Sept. 15-25
Sept. 15-25
Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Mount Baker,
								Olympic Peninsula, and Henry Jackson Wilderness areas, and Lake Chelan
								Recreation Area
3 pt. min.
EARLY MUZZLELOADER GENERAL DEER
								SEASONS
Western Washington Black-tailed Deer
Sept. 28 - Oct. 6
Sept. 27 - Oct. 5
Sept. 26 - Oct. 4
407, 418, 426, 437, 448, 450, 501, 503, 504, 505,
								506, 510, 513, 516, 520, 530, 550, 554, 560, 568, 572, 574, 603, 607, 612, 615,
								621, 624 (except Deer Area 6020), 633 through 651, 660, 663, 672,
								673
Any buck
410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419, 420,
								421, 422, 423, 424, 454, 564, 627, 652, 655, 666, 684, and Deer Area
								6020
Any deer
578
3 pt. min.
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer
Sept. 28 - Oct. 6
Sept. 27 - Oct. 5
Sept. 26 - Oct. 4
101 through 124, 203, 204, 209, 215, 231, 233, 239,
								242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 250, 251, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269, 272, 278,
								284
Any buck
127, 130, 133, 136, 139, 142, 145, 149, 175, 181,
								186
3 pt. min.
373, 379
Any deer
Eastern Washington Mule Deer
Sept. 28 - Oct. 6
Sept. 27 - Oct. 5
Sept. 26 - Oct. 4
101 through 149, 175, 181, 186, 203, 204, 209, 215,
								231, 233, 239, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 248, 250, 251, 254, 260, 262, 266, 269,
								272, 278, 284, 328, 330 through 342, 352 through 368, 373, 379
3 pt. min.
Eastern Washington Mule Deer
Sept. 28 - Oct. 6
Sept. 27 - Oct. 5
Sept. 26 - Oct. 4
Deer Areas 3334 and 3372
3 pt. min. or antlerless
LATE MUZZLELOADER GENERAL DEER SEASONS
Western Washington Black-tailed
								Deer
Nov. 27 - Dec. 15
Nov. 26 - Dec. 15
Nov. 25 - Dec. 15
407, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 419,
								420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 454, 504, 564, 633, 654, 666, 667, and
								684
Any deer
448, 460, 501, 602, 621, 651, 658, and
								673
Any buck
Eastern Washington White-tailed Deer
Nov. 27 - Dec. 8
Nov. 26 - Dec. 8
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
113
Any buck
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
130, 133, 136, 139, 142
3 pt. min.
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
Nov. 20 - Dec. 8
172, 181
3 pt. min.
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
379, 381
Any deer
Eastern Washington Mule Deer
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
Nov. 25 - Dec. 8
379, 381
3 pt. min.
Nov. 20-30
Nov. 20-30
Nov. 20-30
382
3 pt. min.