Washington Mule Deer Hunting
Plan your Washington mule deer 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 mule deer hunts across Washington, organized by unit, and book directly with landowners.
Washington Mule Deer 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
–
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions and end dates
Early Archery General Black-tailed
–
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions and end dates
High Modern Firearm
–
Rifle
Alpine Lakes, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Olympic Peninsula, Henry Jackson Wilderness Areas and Lake Chelan Recreation Area. 3 pt. min.
High Muzzleloader
–
Alpine Lakes, Glacier Peak, Pasayten, Mount Baker, Olympic Peninsula, Henry Jackson Wilderness areas, and Lake Chelan Recreation Area. 3 pt. min.
Early Muzzleloader General
–
Early Muzzleloader General Black-tailed
–
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions
General Modern Firearm
–
Rifle
3 pt. min. in most units
General Modern Firearm Black-tailed
–
Rifle
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions
Late General Modern Firearm Black-tailed
–
Rifle
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions
Late Archery General
–
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions and end dates
Late Muzzleloader General
–
Late Muzzleloader General Black-tailed
–
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions
Late Archery General Black-tailed
–
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions and end dates
Washington Mule Deer Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer License | OTC | — | $61.70 |
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| Multi-season Deer or Elk Tag Application | Draw | — | $9.61 |
Price per application | |||
| Second Deer Tag | Draw | — | $68.48 |
Only available by special permit through a random drawing | |||
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer License | OTC | — | $599.07 |
| 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 | |||
Other Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black-tailed Deer Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $6.00 |
1 additional buck black-tailed deer. GMUs open to black-tailed deer hunting except GMU 485. Season Sept 1-Dec 31. | |||
| Mule Deer Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $6.00 |
1 additional any buck mule deer. GMUs open to mule deer hunting. Season Sept 1-Dec 31. | |||
| Multi-season Deer Tag | Draw | — | $191.77 |
Only available by special permit through a random drawing | |||
| North-central Washington Big Game Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $17.00 |
May harvest 3 of 5 species: white-tailed deer, mule deer, cougar, black bear, California bighorn sheep. 200 series GMUs and specific sheep areas. | |||
| Southeast Washington Big Game Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $22.50 |
May harvest 4 of 5 species: white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, cougar, black bear. GMUs 139-154 & 162-186. | |||
| Three-deer Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $17.00 |
Allows harvest of 1 additional any buck black-tailed deer, 1 additional any buck mule deer, and 1 additional any buck white-tailed deer. Season Sept 1-Dec 31. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Mule deer seasons in Washington include multiple phases with different methods and timing. Early archery general seasons run approximately September 1 to September 26, 2025. High modern firearm and high muzzleloader seasons in designated wilderness areas with a 3-point minimum run approximately September 15 to September 25, 2025. Early muzzleloader general seasons run approximately September 27 to October 5, 2025. General modern firearm seasons run approximately October 11 to October 21, 2025, with a 3-point minimum in most units, while general modern firearm black-tailed seasons run approximately October 11 to October 31, 2025. Late general modern firearm black-tailed seasons run approximately November 13 to November 16, 2025. Late archery general seasons run approximately November 20 to December 8, 2025, and late muzzleloader general seasons run approximately November 20 to December 8, 2025. Late archery general black-tailed seasons run approximately November 26 to December 31, 2025, and late muzzleloader general black-tailed seasons run approximately November 26 to December 15, 2025. Various game management units have different harvest restrictions and end dates, so check your specific unit for applicable regulations.
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