Washington Elk Hunting
Plan your Washington elk hunt with season dates, license options, and hunting opportunities organized by unit. Browse available private-land hunts and book access directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts by Unit
Browse private-land elk hunts across Washington, organized by unit, and book directly with landowners.
Washington Elk Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Early Archery General Season Washington
–
Various GMUs with different legal elk restrictions.
Early Archery General Season Western Washington
–
Various GMUs with different legal elk restrictions.
Early Muzzleloader General Season Washington
–
Various GMUs with different legal elk restrictions.
Early Muzzleloader General Season Western Washington
–
Various GMUs with different legal elk restrictions.
Modern Firearm General Season Washington
–
Rifle
Various GMUs with different legal elk restrictions. Hunter orange required.
Late Archery General Season Washington
–
Select GMUs. Hunter orange required during overlap with firearm seasons.
Late Muzzleloader General Season Washington
–
Select GMUs. Hunter orange required during overlap with firearm seasons.
Modern Firearm General Season Washington Extended
–
Rifle
Select GMUs only. Hunter orange required.
Modern Firearm General Season Western Washington
–
Rifle
Various GMUs with different legal elk restrictions. Hunter orange required.
Late Archery General Season Western Washington
–
Various GMUs with different legal elk restrictions.
Late Muzzleloader General Season Western Washington
–
Various GMUs with different legal elk restrictions.
Washington Elk Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer + Elk License | OTC | — | $116.85 |
| Deer + Elk + Bear + Cougar License w/ discounted Small game license | OTC | — | $163.39 |
Bear identification test may be required | |||
| Deer + Elk + Bear + Cougar License w/ discounted Small game license | OTC | Disabled hunters | $76.86 |
Bear identification test may be required | |||
| Deer + Elk + Bear + Cougar License w/ discounted Small game license | OTC | Ages 70+; Senior hunters | $58.19 |
Bear identification test may be required | |||
| Deer + Elk + Bear + Cougar License w/ discounted Small game license | OTC | Ages 0–15; Youth hunters | $76.86 |
Bear identification test may be required | |||
| Elk License | OTC | — | $69.29 |
| Get Outdoors | OTC | — | $322.98 |
Includes Annual Fish Washington License, 2 pole and Puget Sound Crab endorsements, Deer + Elk + Bear + Cougar License w/ discounted Small game license, deer, elk, bear, cougar tags + 2 turkey tags, migratory bird permit and migratory bird hunt authorization | |||
| Incentive Elk Tag | OTC | — | $93.08 |
See harvest reporting requirements in big game regulations | |||
| Multi-season Deer or Elk Tag Application | Draw | — | $9.61 |
Price per application | |||
| Second Elk Tag | Draw | — | $47.58 |
Only available by special permit through a random drawing | |||
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer + Elk License | OTC | — | $1,020.06 |
| Deer + Elk + Bear + Cougar License w/ discounted Small game license | OTC | — | $1,321.62 |
Bear identification test may be required | |||
| Deer + Elk + Bear + Cougar License w/ discounted Small game license | OTC | Disabled hunters; Veteran | $163.39 |
Bear identification test may be required | |||
| Elk License | OTC | — | $685.60 |
Other Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastside Elk Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $6.00 |
1 additional any bull elk. Eastern Washington except GMU 157 and closed GMUs. Season Sept 1-Dec 31. | |||
| Multi-season Elk Tag | Draw | — | $250.97 |
Only available by special permit through a random drawing | |||
| Westside Elk Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $6.00 |
1 additional any bull elk. Western Washington except GMU 485 and closed GMUs. Season Sept 1-Dec 31. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Elk season in Washington includes multiple phases across different methods of take. Early archery runs approximately September 6 through September 18, 2025. Early muzzleloader runs approximately October 4 through October 10, 2025. Modern firearm runs approximately October 25 through November 2, 2025, with an extended season in select GMUs through November 15, 2025, and a separate western Washington modern firearm season from approximately November 1 through November 12, 2025. Late archery and late muzzleloader seasons run approximately October 25 through November 15, 2025, in select GMUs, with additional late archery and late muzzleloader seasons in western Washington from approximately November 26 through December 15, 2025. Various GMUs have different legal elk restrictions, and hunter orange is required during firearm seasons and overlaps with other methods.
See the latest Field Notes from properties offering elk hunts in Washington.
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