Washington Whitetail Hunting
Plan your Washington whitetail 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 whitetail hunts across Washington, organized by unit, and book directly with landowners.
Washington Whitetail 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
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions and end dates
General Modern Firearm Black-tailed
–
Rifle
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions
General Modern Firearm
–
Rifle · Youth hunters
GMU 124 - Any deer; GMUs 127-142 - 3 pt. min. or antlerless
Late General Modern Firearm
–
Rifle
Any buck in specified GMUs
Late Archery General
–
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions and end dates
Late General Modern Firearm Black-tailed
–
Rifle
Various GMUs with different harvest restrictions
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 Whitetail 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. | |||
| 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. | |||
| Northeast Washington Big Game Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $22.50 |
May harvest 3 of 6 species: white-tailed deer, elk, moose, cougar, black bear, turkey. GMUs 101-124. | |||
| 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. | |||
| White-tailed Deer Raffle Permit | DrawDeadline July 15, 2025 | — | $6.00 |
1 additional any buck white-tailed deer. GMUs open to white-tailed deer hunting. Season Sept 1-Dec 31. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Whitetail season in Washington includes multiple phases with different methods and timing. Early archery general runs approximately September 1 to September 26, 2025. High modern firearm and high muzzleloader seasons in designated wilderness areas run approximately September 15 to September 25, 2025, with a 3-point minimum. Early muzzleloader general runs approximately September 27 to October 5, 2025. General modern firearm runs approximately October 11 to October 24, 2025, with general modern firearm for black-tailed deer running approximately October 11 to October 31, 2025. Late general modern firearm runs approximately November 8 to November 19, 2025, and late general modern firearm for black-tailed deer runs approximately November 13 to November 16, 2025. Late archery general runs approximately November 10 to December 15, 2025, and late archery general for black-tailed deer runs approximately November 26 to December 31, 2025. Late muzzleloader general runs approximately November 20 to December 8, 2025, and late muzzleloader general for black-tailed deer runs approximately November 26 to December 15, 2025. Harvest restrictions, specific game management unit dates, and eligibility vary by opportunity.
See the latest Field Notes from properties offering whitetail hunts in Washington.
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